carguy4471

I can't answer that but I do know I'm not looking forward to buffing all the crap off tonight. Hopefully a shop rag or burlap will get the job done.

Lol. Stitching awl wasn't on the list. A reason why I don't want that pony would be good though. A vise wasn't very conducive to good posture and caused some strain after a while.

That's a pretty slick idea there!!

I've got a couple things I need to grab at Tandy, so I'll put standard black oil die on the list. Hand making a holster with no drill press or belt sander, and no sewing machine is work enough. Anything to help streamline it is going to be helpful. After using a vise to stitch I think I'm going to try tandy's cheap stitching pony. St cloud isn't too far. Prolly burgers in Maple Grove or somewhere there off 94 might be something to look into. I'd trade some food and brew for an opportunity to pick your brain in a heartbeat!! Not a fan of airports??

You are correct sir, it seemed like an easy place to start (but I am open for any pro tips you may have). Any tips on buffing it?? Shop rag, piece of burlap? Is it going to be a giant pain? I was curious about having contrasting stitching and being able to dye afterwords. I love the look of contrasting stitching. But my black finger tips are not super attractive today. I am in St. Paul and work in Lakeville. I may have to take you out for some burgers and beer when you make it here. You seem like the kinda guy I wanna be buddies with!! Where you going to be moving to??

Oh, and also, a big thank you to JLS for the free pattern for the G19 and to everyone here for the tips I've picked up thus far. I really appreciate all the help. In all honestly I feel like I've gotten a bit lucky with how well this one is turning out so far. This one is after dying the belt slots:

My very first holster nearing completion. Do most folks die before stitching?? My hands are covered in die after spending some time stitching. Will that die seal up with some resolene or do I need to buff it a bit??

I'm not even sure how I'd hold a six foot straight edge in place with one hand and try to cut something possibly 50" long in with the other without that straight edge slipping.

That's about the weight's I've been looking for. 8/9oz pre-punched belt blanks are out there but I can't find any 4oz 1-1/2 belt strips to use as liner.

The only bit I was worried about with hand stitching is the length of thread I'd need to be pulling through when getting the belt started. That'd be pretty dang long threads to tend to and keep from getting all tangled up. Unfortunately I don't see a sewing machine in my near future. The funds just aren't there for it and available funds will need to be going into leather and dies. I've only just picked up a double shoulder and a small bottle of die and resolene to get myself started. I sure would like to do a couple 2-3 belts though. I was trying to find somewhere online that sold pre-punched belt blanks and regular belt blanks for liners, that'd sure make the process easier but I wasn't seeing the weights I'd want to a 2 layer belt.

Which leads to the question: Is hand stitching a belt insanity? I've never done it but it seems like it'd drive one nuts pretty quick.

I believe I saw a section for belts, but since this relates to holsters I thought I'd ask here. So once I've got my first holster finished and I get going on my second I was thinking about giving a belt a go. A couple question on holster specific belts: If one is to be hand stitching, are single thickness belt blanks available to avoid stitching? How heavy do folks usually go for total oz on a holster belt??

I'm in for $50 or so on a punch if one can be had at that price.

That HF set would need to have an edge set, they don't even have a good edge. They are nearly blunt. I don't mind a little tune up but they wont go through one piece of 8/9 oz leather with a 3lb dead blow let alone two pieces, lol.

So I'm about ready to punch some belt slots on my first holster. Grabbed a set of hollow punches from harbor freight to use the 3/8 and a chisel. What a travesty this set is: http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-hollow-punch-set-3838.html So could I just grab this set from tandy and use the 5/16?? https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/maxi-leather-punch-set I'd love to avoid the agony of having to sharpen those harbor freight punches. Thanks all!!