Kayak15

Very nice cover, I really like it, especially the front side. Did you make up the design or is there a pattern somewhere? Kayak15

Oops. Sorry folks. If I didn't scan over things so fast I would have noticed that there was a post from dbar leather. Hummm- measure, then cut right? Kayak15

Elton Do you have a link for dbar leather? I googled it but didn't get anything specific. Thanks, kayak15

Thanks for the quick reply Boomstick, now I can go to bed!! I learned something, my day hasn't been wasted. Kayak15

Ive got a gun question for you. In many of the postings that I have seen here where the holster is photographed and posted, it appears that the hammer (of semi autos) is cocked. Look at picture two of thewildirishrose's post as an example. I'm not too familiar with the semi auto's but I would think that they should be uncocked. Maybe it's not cocked, I don't know. Set me straight someone, Why does it look cocked? Sorry to be so uninformed. Kayak15

You brought a smile to my face. Thanks! kayak15

I'm wondering if you could tell me how the leather was painted. Is this airbrush painting or what? Looks great by the way. I'll not address anyone in particular because I would like to hear of the differnt methods if their are differences. There is some really good work there folks. Kayak15

Rayban, I just googled "Bondo for Leather" and got a lot of sites that are willing to sell you repair kits. Don't know anything about it myself. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=b...G=Google+Search One site that I looked at has a lot of short video clips on how to do repairs. http://www.vinylproleather.com/ Good luck! Kayak15

Thanks for the play by play Randy. I'll print it out and put it in my pattern folder, which now has a total of 3 patterns for holsters. I must confess that I am enjoying making holsters. I'm also really enjoying the information shared by those that have gone before me. I hate to confess I never even thought of dyeing my holster prior to stitching. I guess I just thought of that as the last step. Makes sense though when I think about it. However, If you dye before molding, does it hurt the dye to be immersed into the water? Does the dye ever get distorted from streching/molding? Thanks for the nice comments as well! I must admit to a small bit of pride however misplaced it might be. It is really nice to actually make something that will be around for a while. Kayak15 Kayak15

Here is a photo of the pocket holster I made this afternoon for a Kel Tec P3AT. I copied it from one I saw for sale on the internet earlier today. It's made with rough side out so it will stick to the pocket better. It's currently drying right now from mild molding and that's why the seran wrap in the photo. Anyway, my question is what should I finish it with, if anything? I saw the one's that Randy posted recently (they look great by the way) and he said he used a tan coat finish. What is "a tan coat finish" and will it make the holster slick so it doesn't grip the pocket as well? Also, does anyone dye them rough side out? Any advice on finishing is appreciated. Note to Randy, I know you like the bottom left open a bit, but I was worried about lint and stuff in the bottom of the pocket getting into the barrel (yeah, I know, wash the pants with the pockets insideout.) I did trim and burnish the edges per advice on one of my other two holsters. http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/k...cketholster.jpg Thanks in advance for comments and advice. Kayak15

Thanks for all the comments. This is exactly what I was hoping for since I don't know anyone around here that is doing leather work and like I said before, Tandy is 60 miles away - long way to go to get advice! Thanks again. kayak15

Thanks for the step by step. Helpful for us that are new to holster designing. Kayak15

Good tips. Think I'll try damping on some scrap as suggested. I'll even try the up and down side to side, but I don't want the dye to get too dark. Unfortunately I only have one bottle of dye (dark mahogany) and Tandy Leather is a 60 mile drive one way. Next time I'm up in Spokane I'll get some other dyes. By the way, the photos of the holsters as they look on the computer come out sort of red, I think due to the flash. When I look at them in regular lighting, they look dark brown. Kayak15

Thank you Randy, Jordan, and Warren. Good advice. Since I am new to this, your comments are greatly appreciated. You might be interested to know Randy, that I used your "gun in the middle of a file folder drawing method" to do the second holster. Worked very well. As to the dye Jordam, it was not wet, I still haven't figured it out and will look for some of the threads, then practice. I really don't want all my work to wind up black by default! Thanks again- Kayak15

I am reposting the two holsters that I have made because I don't think anyone saw them when I tried before. I was finally able to get them where they can be seen if you click on the links. These are my first attempts at holster making and first leather working since I made a few trinkets 30 years ago. I made them about a week apart. They are hand stitched or perhaps I should say they were sewn. Not sure what the difference is. Anyway, I would be interested in your comments. Thanks! First holster is: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/k...rk/IMG_1013.jpg Second holster is: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/k...rk/IMG_1014.jpg Kayak15

Thanks for the heads up on Photobucket. I think I loaded to it successfully! First holster is: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/k...rk/IMG_1013.jpg Second holster is: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/k...rk/IMG_1014.jpg Thanks again! Kayak15

Well, the photo's didn't go so I guess I don't know how. Advice would be appreciated. I did try to use the upload button, but it just went on and on forever saying "uploading file". kayak15

Well, here is my first holster. I learned a lot from this one, but boy do I have a lot more to learn! The second holster is, yes, my second holster. Still have a lot to learn, especially about how to properly dye. Both are hand stitched. They may not be perfect, but they should work. I'm open to any constructive input. Holster one is for a Kel Tec P3At and hoster two is for a 357. Sorry if the photo's are not posted right. I really don't know how they should be be posted. I just dragged and dropped. Kayak15

Thanks GH. I am using the method Randy outlined and I think it will work well. I got a book from Tandy Leather called How to Make Holsters, on sale right now for $7.99 and it has a really good description with photo's etc. for making holsters for your own specific gun using methods much as Randy had stated. It does go into more detail and is really answering my questions. It has several patterns for different guns, but the part that is of interest to me is how to make a holster for any gun - not one of their prefab patterns. It also goes into how to stitch, hand sew, etc. and is really worth the $7.99, at least to me! Thanks again. Kayak15

Thanks for the tip Randy. I'll give it a try. Now I just need to get to a Tandy and resupply myself with leather, etc. I think I can find a file folder around here some place. Thanks again. Kayak15

I hope this doesn't post twice. I tried once before and don't know what happened to it. Anyway, I am new to this forum and have not done leather work for about 30 years. I think I am ready to take it up again and would like to make a holster for my Kel Tec P3AT. Can anyone tell me where I might find patterns for holsters or how do you design yours? Thanks, Kayak15