Members mikesherman Posted February 12, 2023 Members Report Posted February 12, 2023 Hi All, Haven't posted here in a very long time...mostly as I haven't really gotten anything off the table in a long time...but, now I have. Pics of a flat back pancake style holster for a Springfield EMP4, 9-10 oz (it's a prototype, so it's the cheap stuff), finished (well, sort of) with some really old Eco Flo water based stuff that wasn't all that great when it was new. I'm mostly seeking two things: 1) feedback on design; and 2) tips on the whole wet molding/boning thing for holsters. I've done about a dozen of these things in the past two years, but they always take me a loooooong time, and once I get the patterns right I can never seem to get them shaped right and get the surface nice and clean. I prefer 50/50 and saddle style rigs anyway (bcuz I like tooling them up nice like) but I figure I ought to try to be proficient with this style. As for things like the stitching, I'm playing with some new toys and techniques, so I know it can be a lot better; I have no ideas what the dark coloration around the edges is, probably a combo of low grade leather and poor quality, old dye. Also, I'm already planning to adjust the stitching lines a bit, and as soon as it's all the way dry I'll knock in the belt loops and put it on. All that being said, all tips, advice, and critiques are welcome...Have fun! Mike Quote
Members Dwight Posted February 12, 2023 Members Report Posted February 12, 2023 Well, pardner . . . it all looks good to me. If your customer wants it . . . punch the slots . . . dye it . . . finish it . . . and send it. I cannot tell how well you brnished the edges . . . but it looks like you did. If I did anything to that "type" of holster . . . I would add a piece of leather on the front . . . and different folks do em different ways. The piece will stiffen up that front . . . and make it a useful holster for many years to come. The picture here is a couple of different ways to do it . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members mikesherman Posted February 12, 2023 Author Members Report Posted February 12, 2023 Thanks for looking Dwight...I'll be adding the guard on the next go round. Also here are pics of it fitted up. Fit's well on the belt, great retention, but it's way to tight, can't draw the weapon without grabbing with the off hand; I like the way it rides, feels good. Back to the drawing board to fix the stitching lines... Any tips on keeping thread clean when sewing...I really want to use the white, but it gets so dirty after a few inches...not sure what to do... Quote
Members Dwight Posted February 12, 2023 Members Report Posted February 12, 2023 (edited) Well . . . I'm assuming from your question . . . you are hand sewing . . . and I never figured that one out. As far as fit and tightness . . . pull the wings together overnight with a piece of chord . . . so looking at the holster it is a big large horseshoe. Put the weapon in a gallon freezer bag . . . stuff it in the holster . . . leave it over night. It will be looser . . . successive treatments will make it better. May God bless, Dwight Edited February 12, 2023 by Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
PastorBob Posted February 13, 2023 Report Posted February 13, 2023 17 hours ago, mikesherman said: Any tips on keeping thread clean when sewing...I really want to use the white, but it gets so dirty after a few inches...not sure what to do A couple precautions I take when using white thread....I always keep my white thread stored in a ziploc bag so dust doesn't get on it. I make sure the dye is completely dry and i normally punch the stitching holes after the piece has been dyed so dye doesn't sit in the punched holes. I wear latex gloves while stitching to prevent oils from my hands getting on the thread. I don't use waxed thread, as it seems to really pickup anything. The alternative is to use a natural color thread. Even on undyed leather, it looks like it is kinda white. See pic below. Quote In God's Grace, Pastor Bob "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 www.PastorBobLeather.com YouTube Channel
Members mikesherman Posted February 13, 2023 Author Members Report Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) Dwight...thanks for the tips...worked like a charm! Pastor Bob thanks for your tips as well. I punch after as well, but I get a little impatient about drying time...I'll have to work on it. Didn't think about the waxed thread thing! Thanks fellas! Mike P.S. Pastor Bob, love the holster in the pic you shared! Edited February 13, 2023 by mikesherman Quote
PastorBob Posted February 14, 2023 Report Posted February 14, 2023 16 hours ago, mikesherman said: P.S. Pastor Bob, love the holster in the pic you shared! Thanks and good luck! Quote In God's Grace, Pastor Bob "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 www.PastorBobLeather.com YouTube Channel
Members Ddat Posted February 19, 2023 Members Report Posted February 19, 2023 On 2/12/2023 at 11:26 AM, mikesherman said: Thanks for looking Dwight...I'll be adding the guard on the next go round. Also here are pics of it fitted up. Fit's well on the belt, great retention, but it's way to tight, can't draw the weapon without grabbing with the off hand; I like the way it rides, feels good. Back to the drawing board to fix the stitching lines... Any tips on keeping thread clean when sewing...I really want to use the white, but it gets so dirty after a few inches...not sure what to do... I wet mold my holsters very tight-customers even complain that they're too tight. I advise to wear it for a good two weeks and draw it often throughout the day for those two weeks. After that the retention is perfect. I'd say give it time before trying to stretch it out prematurely. Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted February 19, 2023 Contributing Member Report Posted February 19, 2023 On 2/12/2023 at 1:26 PM, mikesherman said: but it's way to tight, can't draw the weapon without grabbing with the off hand; I like the way it rides, feels good. Back to the drawing board to fix the stitching lines... I dn't think your stitch lines are too close.. in fact I make them CLOSER and folks love the look and feel. Personally, I LIKE the rig you made here for the most part, other than 9/10 seems quite heavy for that rig (i'm SO stuck on 7/8 ). Here's the 3" version of that same firearm ... Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members DoogMeister Posted February 19, 2023 Members Report Posted February 19, 2023 Need to figure out how to re-size photos so I can upload a picture of a molded holster I made a few weeks ago - my first attempt also. A couple of things I learned: These things take way more time than I thought, between drying time, learning from mistakes, and figuring out how to do it. Clean your hands before working, and clean the work with saddle soap before oiling and dying. I use brown thread, so can't help you there. I used several different tools for helping for the wet holster, but a vinyl-covered tool handle proved to be the best. I do not have a vacuum table. Adams Leather works has some excellent videos on the process.. I watched one on his three or four times. Hope that helps. Quote
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