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Nice job. Did you put in a stitching groove before you sewed it?

That's exactly the direction I am headed.. Thanks!

I am going to start machine sewing my holsters and I am wondering if I should use nylon or polyester thread. What are you folks using?

Looking at The Thread Exchange for 277 bonded thread. They have Natural and then they have White. The white says the type is "soft" and the natural is "bonded." What's the difference? Using this to make holsters.

My son called me at work today to tell me that my Cobra 3 was delivered to the house. Awesome! Wasn't expecting it yet. After taking the wife and the other son out for dinner, I got home and started the unwrapping and putting together the machine. Just like Christmas eve and putting kids toys together. A few hours later, it's together and in the house. Just need to figure out the thread feeding and a few other items and off to practice I will go.

Steve, What plastic item are you wanting to glue to leather?

Scroll down on the first page of the holster topic and you'll find an excellent post about a homemade press.

I had been reading on here that some soak it in the vinegroon, rinse, soak in baking soda solution then let it dry a bit and then wet form. I've been concerned that all of the soaking would cause the leather to be limp. MADMAX22, I've never tried the balm with atom wax. Might have to try it. Any particular brand?

JoelR, Is the holster wet formed before you soak it in the vinegroon? Are you also soaking it in baking soda and water mixture to stop the chemical process? I like Resolene as my final finish.

I was thinking the same thing. You would only have to screw down two nuts instead of 6. I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just use rigid steel so it won't give any under the pressure.

So when you go to make this, do you just dump some of it out and then stuff in the steel wool? Other than the gases, does it expand in volume? Any obnoxious fumes come from it while it's brewing?

Thanks. Yes, inside.

Just finished this one up for a co-worker.

A friend of mine requested I make him a IWB holster but he wants a thumb break added. I haven't seen any IWB's with a thumb break. From my reading here I have gained the following info. Am I on the right track with this? Reinforce the backside of the holster where the snap will be. I have thin Kydex so that is what I will be using. The strap itself doesn't need any reinforcing. As for the snap, the cap portion of the snap is what would be on the back side of the sweat shield, right? Any suggestions on the thumb break?

I don't think you mentioned how thick the pads are and how firm. Thanks!

Looks great. Any pictures of holsters that you used this press on?

Steve is first class!!! After much discussion with him my order for a Cobra class 3 will be going in tomorrow!! I can't wait to get this machine. Thanks again Steve.

I am using Fiebings dyes and I finsh off with Resolene.

It took me about 3.5 hours. It did it over a few days in the evening. The stitching was done in three sections because I wanted to break up the amount of time I was sitting doing it and also it's hard to have a ton of thread out when doing it by hand. People at work were amazed with it and that it was done by hand. Thanks everyone for the nice comments!

Hey Larry, I am considering the Cobra 3. Glad to see that you are very happy with it. How long did it take you to put it together? Were you able to do all of this by yourself or did you need someones help? Was it all very heavy? It looks very interesting as it can actually be wheeled around if need be. I am working out of my kitchen so I would need to be able to move it easily. Is it pretty quiet when it's running? Thanks and happy sewing!

Just put the finishing touches on it this moring. 8oz top with a 4oz backing. This will definately hold my gun real well. All hand stitched and boy do I want a machine now after doing this. It feels real good to be done and I am ready for my next one.

Very nice!! I just finsihed my first belt as well. Not as fancy as yours. All black and hand stitced as well. Now that I did that I really want a machine badly.

Thanks for the pics. OK I purchased two 8/9 blanks for two different belts I am going to make. I will then add another piece of 3/4 to each one. That should make a decent belt. It'll be a few weeks before I post the results but I will. Thanks again everyone!!

That's what I thought about just folding over the top layer like that. I see most blanks are skived but that probably is if you plan on using it as a single layer belt. I'll do the double layer with a 9/10 for the front side and then a 4/5 for the back. No need to skive anything when doing it this way I would think. Cut the back short of the buckle slot and bend the front side over. Would you sew all the way around the top layer including the portion that gets folded over? So you would end up just continuing the stitch even on the fold over portion for looks I guess.

Will do. I think I know what I need to do now. I just need to get the supplies and get going on it. Thanks!