Homemade holster press

[carljc72]

Here is a press (poor man's version) I made for forming holsters. It is not hydraulic nor does it take up too much space in my tiny basement. I am sure you could modify this to be sturdier but so far it is working out great. I used one piece of 3/4 plywood that was 2'x4' cut into 4 pieces 16"x12". I then glued them together in pairs and drilled 6 holes. I used 8" carriage bolts and a small supply of 1/2" washers as spacers and then bolted the carriage bolts to the bottom boards. I added the two 12" squares of gum rubber and then dropped the top down over the rubber. I used 1/2" coupling nuts so they would be long enough to run them up and down with my cordless drill with a deep socket. The double thickness plywood does flex a little when tightened down with a holster in place, but does not cause any issues. If you had access to steel plates you could use them instead. This was built for about $100 including the rubber from McMaster Carr ($70). It fits underneath my work bench so is perfect for tight work spaces.

Carl

[ps0303]

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

[carljc72]

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?a...st&id=27452

I hope that is the correct link.

Carl

[Lobo]

I understand the wish to maximize uniformity, and produce a consistent product. But, quite frankly, making 20 to 30 holsters in my little shop every week, I find it much easier to do them by hand. How frequently can such a device be utilized?

Maybe I'm just old fashioned! Maybe I need to get everything automated.

[carljc72]

How frequently can such a device be utilized?

Maybe I'm just old fashioned! Maybe I need to get everything automated.

Ray, I use it on every holster now (a whopping 2 or 3 a week). I like it because when I use the little press, I can still answer to "honey, can you come here?" or "dad, I locked myself out", etc... It is only a convenience for me since it is just a hobby for me instead of a business.

I personally don't consider you old fashioned. I think you know exactly what works for you...and that is just smart. And is far as being automated...no fancy machinery for me...I just can't figure out how to sneak the holster making, bikini models past my wife and into the work area. LOL

[troop]

looks good Carl. i've been interested in getting a press system. i already have the press itself. (six ton hydraulic) just need the pads and the steel plates. at what point after soaking do you press it? and how long do you leave it in the press? any side effects on the leather that you have to clean up later?

sorry for all the questions

tony

[Jordan]

Looks perfectly functional to me, reminds me of the type of press luthiers use to build guitars of the acoustic persuasion.

[Lobo]

Ray, I use it on every holster now (a whopping 2 or 3 a week). I like it because when I use the little press, I can still answer to "honey, can you come here?" or "dad, I locked myself out", etc... It is only a convenience for me since it is just a hobby for me instead of a business.

I personally don't consider you old fashioned. I think you know exactly what works for you...and that is just smart. And is far as being automated...no fancy machinery for me...I just can't figure out how to sneak the holster making, bikini models past my wife and into the work area. LOL

Thank you for the response. I'm sure that my wife would notice anything I tried to sneak past her, bikini model or not!

Best regards!

[carljc72]

looks good Carl. i've been interested in getting a press system. i already have the press itself. (six ton hydraulic) just need the pads and the steel plates. at what point after soaking do you press it? and how long do you leave it in the press? any side effects on the leather that you have to clean up later?

sorry for all the questions

tony

Not a problem at all...I normally put in in the press once I get the gun into the holster. I recently switched to Wickett and Craig leather so I only have to soak it a few seconds. I wait until it "looks" like it is about dry. I would think a good rule would be to put it in the press when you would normally start forming by hand.

I leave it in the press for at least 10 minutes, although I have left it for a couple of hours (during a 12 year old's emergency).

So far no side effects. I put plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) laid flat on the rubber sheets if I have already dyed the outside of the holster just in case it bleeds a little. I do not have a ton of experience so I am sure other members may be able to share a little more insight.

Carl

[Shorts]

Nice work.

I enjoy seeing tools folks have made. I'm of that persuasion myself. Building what you need. There's a satisfaction in seeing what your hands produce. Like holsters themselves.

[McJeep]

Kewl setup - I think I'll steal that idea for making presses for ipods, buck knives, etc Only thing I think I'd do different is to use "T" nuts on the underside of the base to allow using regular bolts for clamping down

Thanks for the idear!

[carljc72]

I should really give Monica the credit. I got the idea from a post where she said she was the weight to form the holster. Before then I thought you needed a hydraulic press. Instead of standing on a board, I thought why not screw it down/bolt it down if the weight/pressure is not critical.

Soooo...even though I am sharing my invention, it was an idea brought forth from another Leatherworker member.

Thanks,

Carl

[ps0303]

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

Thanks!

[Shorts]

I should really give Monica the credit. I got the idea from a post where she said she was the weight to form the holster. Before then I thought you needed a hydraulic press. Instead of standing on a board, I thought why not screw it down/bolt it down if the weight/pressure is not critical.

Soooo...even though I am sharing my invention, it was an idea brought forth from another Leatherworker member.

Thanks,

Carl

One of these days I'll upgrade my press, but it'll be a new setup. I'm not interested in upgrading by putting this press into a higher weight class

[carljc72]

One of these days I'll upgrade my press, but it'll be a new setup. I'm not interested in upgrading by putting this press into a higher weight class

That's funny stuff...I don't care who you are

[carljc72]

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

Thanks!

Here is the link:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8633k63/=2oe0cq

Thanks,

Carl

[cpj]

Here is the link:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8633k63/=2oe0cq

Thanks,

Carl

So, do you just put the gun wrapped in the leather and crank it down?

[carljc72]

So, do you just put the gun wrapped in the leather and crank it down?

Essentially...yes. Here is a link to another thread on this topic. BOOMSTICKHolsters gave a picture tutorial which is awesome.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=346

[10x]

Any chance of seeing the inside of your press? Thanks.

[cpj]

Essentially...yes. Here is a link to another thread on this topic. BOOMSTICKHolsters gave a picture tutorial which is awesome.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=346

Thank you sir.

That is a good idea.

[rybord]

Have any ever considered using closed cell foam?

Ray

[10x]

Im going to pick one of those presses up from Harbor Freight. I have a 20% off coupon to boot. I have already ordered the 40d rubber. I think I like the way this works. Thanks for the ideas.

[carljc72]

Any chance of seeing the inside of your press? Thanks.

I will try to take a couple more pics and get them on here soon.

Have any ever considered using closed cell foam?

Ray

I have no experience with it but maybe other members could respond.

Carl

[carljc72]

Here are a few more photos...forgive the quality (CELL PHONE)

[JoelR]

I really like the simplicity. I was going to build a beefly vacuum-table, but this is making me rethink. Only issue I have is this would wreck havoc on my wrists having to torque down 6 bolts. How much pressure is actually on this when compressed? Is it too much to modify the 4 end-bolts to be simply guide pins and have 1" steel square tubing or similar that gets torqued down by the two center bolts?