Randyc

I have a Singer 31-15 that I use for some of my lighter projects. I want to make a few magnetic money clips. My Artisan Toro 3000 is a little over kill for the 2 oz. leather I will be using. Because of the steel needle plate, I can't stitch my magnetic money clips on my Singer. Does any one know if there is such a thing as an aluminum needle plate available for my Singer? Thanks, Randy

Mike, Ya got a good looking holster there. I've been following your progress on "the other forum." Your doing very well with your holsters. I have no problem building left handed holsters. It's the right handed holsters that sometimes make my brain hurt Randy

Lobo Nice looking Maker Stamp! Randy

I like the forum as it is. We have the best thing going right now. Randy

Hey Guys, I'm planning to build some IWB holsters. My designs have the wings off to the side. I'm planning to attach the belt loops using t-nuts. I plan on using 2 pieces of 6/7 oz. leather and 6/7 oz. belt loops. I need to know the length of the t-nut posts that would work best with this thickness of leather including the fold over thickness of the belt loops? Lastly, I need a supplier for the t-nuts and related hardware (black in color) Thanks, Randy

I agree with Mike, if your stitching after molding, that mey be the reason for your problems. I learned a trick that mey help. After glueing, I parcially case (wet) my leather and do a real quick light mold job. I mold just enough to to see the outer lines of the weapon. I draw out my stitch lines, then flatten out the holster. I do my stitching then I again case the leather. I then do my molding. Good Luck Randy

Lobo and Jeff, Thanks for the kind words! Jeff, Getting to the pistol kind of depends on how tight your back pocket is. The holster is only fastened to the back panal at the bottom. As you slide your hand over the grip, the back panal will pivot away from the holster body giving you a sure grip. I will most likely use the holster without the panal for weakside carry. Thats where I carry my backup weapon while working. I've built wallet holsters with the non-detatchable, stitched in back panal. That style is a little more difficult to mage a clean draw. I got the idea for a convertable pocket holster from holster maker Bob Hedley who uses 2 Chicago Screws to attach the back panal and a third Chicago Screw instead of stitching to help hold the holster together. I wanted the back panal to be quickly removeable without a screw driver. That the reason I went with the line 24 snaps. Randy

With my web site up and running, I'm building and selling a few more holsters. Like the auto mechanic, who never has time to work on his own car, or the plumber with leaky pipes, I haven't had time to build any holsters for myself in awhile. I made this pocket holster for my own NAA .32 Guardian pistol. This holster is a combination of a front pocket and back pocket wallet type holster. The back panal is mounted to the holster body with durable duty line 24 snaps. I used some Zack White 5/6 oz. black drum dyed cowhide and covered the holster and back panal with Shark Skin. Comments and suggestions are welcome! Randy

Eric, Welcome to the world of holster making. I too think your off to a good start. Like any other craft or trade, you will learn to make holsters by making more holsters. No two are exactly alike and I try to learn something new with each holster I make. With guys like Jeff (Boomstick) to help ya out and lots of practice, you will be a holster maker. Good Luck Randy

Very interesting. I'm also a Licensed Private Detective in the State of Illinois. The state does require that I carry a 1,000.000.00 liability policy as a condition of licensing. I pay around $1,200.00 per year for insurance including a firearms endorsement. That business is registered with the county with a "Doing Business As." It appears I can then register Bulldog Custom Gun Leather as an LLC and have my dba company own all assets. I own no real estate, drive a 10 year old car and 14 year old motorcycle. Outside of my clothes and tools, I own nothing so I have nothing to take. I guess I can consider going on my happy way or form a LLC for the holster business. Randy

I'm now of the point of shipping out several holsters a week. I believe I should consider obtaining a produuct liability insurance policy. Anyone have any recomendations for an insurance company and how much can I expect to pay for a policy? Thanks Randy

Nice looking holster. You done good. My only suggestions are you may want to consider dropping your leather weight down to 6/7 oz, for your IWB holsters. Since revolvers are generally thicker then automatics because of the cylinder, a little lighter leather often works out better in IWB holsters. Lastly, you may want to consider going with a leather loop with line 24 snaps placed to the rear of the trigger guard, insted of the metel clip next to the cylinder, to reduce holster balk.The leather loop will also be more secure then those spring clips. I used to build my knife pouches with spring clips until I lost a nice "Case" pocket knife when the knife pouch fell off of my belt. I'm sure everyone would like to see photos of the other side of the holster when you resolve your camera problems. Best Wishes, Randy

Chesty Puller never gave up either! Semper Fi Always faithful to God, Country, Corps and of course leatherworker.net Randy

Brian, Real nice, keep up the good work! Randy

Tod, Thanks that's some good news! Randy

Nicely done Randy. I'm sure your's and Riley's outline will help alot of the new and some of us old leather workers out. Randy

Hey Guys, These tools are on special at Siegel of California on Ellis Barnes, of Gomph-Hackbarth Tools. I've sold most of my Craftool stamps on EBay and want to upgrade to better quality stamping tools. I haven't done a real lot of stamping or tooling in the past. I'm wondering if this set would be a good assortment of basic stamping tools for me to get into stamping including some Sheridan Floral type carving? The basic set of 15 stamps is $145.00. They also have their Crown brand of stamps on clearence. There normally priced around $9.00-$10.00 per stamp. There on sale for under $5.00 a piece. Does any one use the Crown brand of stamping tools? and what do you think of them. Thanks Randy BASIC SET 1018 ($145.00 For this Set)

Adaman. As Mike suggested make your upswing towards the rear site after you have crossed the trigger guard. Not only will you allow more room for your fingers and a good solid grip, but you want to make sure the top edge of your holster falls below the magazine release so that the magazine release button isn't accidently pushed in by the top of the holster. I can't see the magazine release so that may or may not be a problem with your pattern. Good Luck Randy

Lobo, Best wishes and enjoy your new demension. Randy

Nice looking holster. My first couple of holsters were turned into dog toys. My only suggestion would be to run your stitch lines a little closer to the pistol in particular, the stitching around the bottom of the trigger guard. Keep up the good work, you will soon be dreaming up new holster designs when you sleep. Randy

I have been using 8/9 oz. leather from Hermann Oak for my OWB Bulldog Avenger tunnel loop holsters. I've been using 6/7 oz. Hermann Oak for my beltslide (pancake) style holsters and S&W J-frame pocket holsters. I found the lighter weight leather is easier to mold and bone. With the economy being what it is, I'm test marketing some less expensive holster designs. I purchased some black drum dyed 5/6 oz. cowhide from Zack White and have made and sold a few pocket holsters this week. I also made a few proto-type beltslide holsters for the Glock 26/27 and 19/23. The drum dyed leather has molded very nicely, reasonable in cost and seems to be a better quality then the economy sholders at Tandy. As an added bonus, I don't have to dye the stuff myself. Randy

I have an oscilating Spindle sander myself, but still often use my variable speed dremal tool . I wet the edge then run it at slower speeds. I usually end up rubbing down my edges with some fine grit automotive sandpaper. I use Gum T and then denim from old blue jeans to buff the edges. Randy

Mike, Thanks. As long as the outside dimensions are close, the Keltec might just work out for me. I primarily need one for building pocket holsters. The LCP seems to be popular for pocket carry. Our local pawnshops don't sell firearms, only burglary proceeds pawned by local crack addicts Randy

Thanks Lobo Gee another excuse to buy another gun. I purchased 3 last year alone. I'm going to keep looking for a dummy Ruger LCP. If not, maybe I will go ahead and buy one. Randy

Hey Guys, I've been searching for a Ruger LCP dummy gun . I don't think Rings Blue Guns makes one yet. I found this one on the internet and wondered if anyone has tried this one out yet? Is it durable and true to size? It's a little pricey, but then again so is the real thing. Thanks, Randy http://www.idmparts.com/index.php