CaptQuirk

That is not your average thief, as most would have passed up the leather tools. You also have my sympathy, Thieves should be castrated, then shot.

@TonyRV2-Thanks! @thunter9- I'm not sure how much oxalic acid is in it, but it is a large percentage. Kinda like the difference between Neatsfoot Oil, and Neatsfoot Compound. Oxalic Acid is also used by Beekeepers, for cleaning out parasites from the hives. And, honey that the bees make, is used in making Mead, a sort of ancient beer/wine beverage, which is not served by barkeepers. How's that for the circle of life?

Anybody else using Bartender's Friend for cleaning leather? What kind of mix ratio should I use? I tried the search function, but with a really bad connection, it literally took 5 minutes to load "0 Results Found".

Glad to Glad to help if I can.

Not familiar with that pistol or the lazer, but I had a similar issue with the wife's SD40. I ended up rotating the lazer so that the switch didn't contact the holster. If you don't like that answer, you could form a groove in the holster so that the switch clears it.

Until I hit $500, it is a hobby. That is my story, and I'm sticking to it.

My thought is, if you show off, expect some critique. It is kind of redundant to have the 2 separate topics.

I would like t add, the one store I order from, suggested I apply for a business account. I just need to go legitimate and file for a tax number. Downside is, that is a lot of paperwork and headaches for somebody making a couple holsters a month.

The closest Tandy is almost 3 hours away, and as much as I can work a deal, not as likely to happen over the phone. There were a whole slew of sales around November, but the best one was "in store only". Of course, I got that flyer just after I got back from the store in Atlanta. I don't do Atlanta if I can possibly avoid it.

That is so sweet! Could you show what you did with that buckle? It looks like it is an adjustment strap attached to it?

Interesting design, not at all what I would call "traditional". Very cool look, I like it.

It is what it is. No worse than anyone else these days.

@OLDNSLOW-http://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/product_info.php?products_id=6094 HolsterMolds are ok, not as nice as Blue Guns. Filled in trigger and port, but it's what you want.

Not a bad company, they have a Holster mold, which has the trigger and port filled. http://www.holstersmith.com/vcom/product_info.php?products_id=6094

http://brucejohnsonleather.com/ This fella is a member here, and if he can't straighten you out, I doubt anybody else could.

This is too funny! Pops worked the carnivals and biker shows and flea markets, doing leather, tiedye, whatever. For years, I've heard the story (Because that's what old people do, tell stories), about how he and a another fella got a really good deal on a bunch of Cherokee lock back knives. The other fella knocked out one of these cases, they quickly produced a bunch, and sold them with the knives. So he has been carrying one of these for... 15 years now? And with the story, I hear "I wish I had a template for one of these". Kinda surprising, since he's reverse engineered stuff for years. Anyways, I got home Sunday, and whipped out a working template. Then, I tooled and dyed one for his upcoming 70th Saturday.

Well, you're on Facebook, so that is a step ahead of me. Not a big fan of the "social network", as I spend too much time on "learning forums" already. Most of my work is word of mouth, a web site to show examples, and a bit of effort finding opportunities in almost any place I go. I walked into a gunshop while I was out of town this weekend. A fella overheard me talking to the clerk, and ended up asking for a western rig for his newest pistol. I go in to see a doctor, he ends up asking about a holster for his Glock. Etsy and ebay are other outlets. What is it you are making? How labor intensive is it? Who is your target? I make holsters, but can be persuaded to give almost anything a go. Most of my stuff is made one off, to order specs. But they all use pretty much the same stuff- leather, dyes, threads, snaps, rivets, buckles. I'm always going through needles too. So this is stuff you try to keep on hand, the bare basics. If somebody asks for something different, order it and pass the cost on. But for the basics, you always need it to work. Ordering costs time and extra money for shipping. Order extras, on sale, or if you are really lucky, a local store. Just don't rely on local sources though they seem to sell out the last one of what you really need right now. Tools are another aspect. There is a ton of different tools out there, and you'll likely only need a small fraction to start. When you get a chance pick up a stamp or two, get them. But don't think you need everything at once. I bet a lot of folks have been building their tools over years, and still are. Space is also an issue. How big are the items you make? Wallets or suitcases, or something in between? Do you need a shoulder to make several of your products, or a side? The more you have on hand, the more you risk losing. I have no room inside the cabin to work, much less store. I know that if I leave a roll of leather on the ground, one of the dogs will be tempted to either chew on it, or pee on it. So, I have a utility/storage shed that is pulling double duty right now By shoving all the stored stuff over, I have almost 144 square feet of storage and workspace. I also live in the woods, and mice, rats, and racoons are a viable threat to my stash of leather. So, instead of getting whole hides, which is a huge expense at one shot, and get a shoulder. Less space, less risk, less up front cost, and I can get a few projects out of it. In between orders, if I get the time, I'll make a holster for a pistol I have in inventory. I've made friends with a local pawn shop and a gun dealer. I drop off the extras for them to put on consignment. If a customer wants something different, I get a referral and deal with the customer from there. Of course, a little cash goes back to the store fronts, because they have overhead too.

That's kinda nice, not overly pretty or fancy, straight up simple and utilitarian. Very clean looking stitches. Keep it up!

@TonyRV2-I would argue the machine sewn price vs hand sewn price. If done well. hand sewn is as clean and strong as machine sewn, but more labor intensive.

If you are looking to do any tooling, then forget the chrome tanned, you will need veg tanned leather. Others will be able to give you a better idea of what kind, since I am relatively new myself.

No, thank you! I actually had some concerns that the Bunkhouse might not work, but I stopped at a gunshop yesterday to ask. They said the only major difference was the trigger guard is squared/fancier, than the new model. I can work with that. The only other big hurdle, is allowing for the scope. I should be ok there. And, since it is going to be a chest rig, and not a shoulder harness, I will have to work that out as well. Got something going in my head, and will work on it when I get home Monday. It's cancer treatment week end, so I'm doing nothing more than doctor visits and holster sales to unsuspecting armed citizens

Never mind, I need a Polish P-64, not a Makarov.

Would you happen to have a makarov?

Carrying a 357 myself, I agree the ammo is heavy. 20 rounds on my belt feels like another 10 lbs They do have dummy bullets that look reel, but are inert and likely a lot lighter.