Need Help Molding Holsters

[RMB Custom Leather]

I need to improve the look of my holster molding. I have used a bone folder however it seems to look better just using my hands to form the leather to the holster. I need to create an outline of the gun in the leather like most modern holsters look. Take a look at mine that I tried with a bone folder, it seems to scratch the leather and scuff more than form it. My lines seem to never be straight. I have heard that most use a modeling tool but how do they get those straight lines? A video of how to mold a holster would be great. I also attached one as an example of what I would like mine to look like. Also does anyone know what a holster press does? Click here for pictures

[Denster]

Whatever tool you use to mold needs to be polished to a very slick surface as any imperfections will be transfered to the leather. My most used tool is a antler tine polished to a ball end on both the thick and point end. I also use a set of wood clay sculpting tools. Cheap set on eBay for about $6. These are basswood and need to be sanded and burnished before use. I also use the ends of sharpie markers.

Most people make the mistake of having too much moisture in the leather and this causes problems. This is not the only way but it is my way and works for me. I dip the holster in warm water with a small squirt of diswashing liquid in it. 5/6OZ is just a quick in out 8/9OZ gets about a three second dip. Let all of the moisture sink into the leather and you are ready to go.

I form my holsters in a poly vacuum bag and bone the detail right through the bag. Most will not have this setup so you can do the same thing by forming the outlines around the gun by hand then put it into a heavy freezer bag and bone the details through the bag. When boneing the details it helps to have a picture of the gun beside you or you will forget details or at least I do. Resist the urge to put anything around the gun like cling wrap when you put it into the holster that will work against getting the lines you want. If you are worried about your guns finish apply a thin coat of Johnson's Past Wax and buff it out. I have some blued guns that I've used to form over 500 holsters and the finish looks like new. The wax will also prevent a chemical reaction between the steel of the gun and the tannins in the leather and leaving black marks inside the holster. This only happens if you had a little to much moisture in the leather as most times the gun will come out dry.

Also it does not take much force to bone in details use only enough to get the leather to follow the lines of the gun.

Hope this helps.

[Denster]

Forgat something. You mentioned a video. In an earlier post on Avenger holsters Particle says he will have a video posted by the first of the week on holster making. You'll want to check that out. Look at the detail in his holsters and you will see why.

[RMB Custom Leather]

Thank you. Do you have contact info for the guy you mentioned? Is he going to post it on some sort of website?

[dmr400]

Can't help much with the molding advice, there are many people on this forum more qualified for that.

But here is an excellent visual demonstration of a holster press and what it does:

Holster Press Thread

Hope it helps.

[particle]

Thank you. Do you have contact info for the guy you mentioned? Is he going to post it on some sort of website?

I'm the guy Denster mentioned - working on the video right now. It's about 22 minutes long, and my first "real" attempt at making a video. Hope to do it again in the future with a better camera, better lighting, and a better hand model. LOL

I'll probably post it on YouTube when it's done, as well as on my website, and I'll link to it here. Should have it ready sometime this weekend. Trying to find some royalty-free background music...

[RMB Custom Leather]

Can't help much with the molding advice, there are many people on this forum more qualified for that.

But here is an excellent visual demonstration of a holster press and what it does:

Holster Press Thread

Hope it helps.

Perfect! I guess I am now looking to make or buy a holster press

[BillinOK]

I form my holsters in a poly vacuum bag and bone the detail right through the bag.

Are you talking about an actual vacuum sealer? and any pictures? I have been hand forming and boning holsters all along and this sounds interesting. I have been looking at the press but a little leery. I like this idea better. If you need to, PM with all the details....Thanks

Edited February 13, 2010 by BillinOK

[gregintenn]

I detail bone with my fingers and the end of a sharpie pen.

[Eric Pikey]

Are you talking about an actual vacuum sealer? and any pictures? I have been hand forming and boning holsters all along and this sounds interesting. I have been looking at the press but a little leery. I like this idea better. If you need to, PM with all the details....Thanks

I just finished my first concealment holster for a friend at work. I used a Food Saver vacuum bag. I put the pistol between two pieces of cased leather, then put a paper towel on each side to absorb some of the moisture, and to prevent the texture from the inside of the bag from imprinting on to the cased leater. This I figured out after a failed attempt. It worked perfectly! In seconds the leather pulled down onto the pistol. I tried it with a kife and of course, it worked just as well.

Of course the leather will not dry inside the sealed bag, so I left it set for about 20 - 30 minutes before I cut it open and layed the pieces out to dry. The machine I used was a borrowed one, but they can be bought for under $100. I'll be buying my own soon.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Eric Pikey

[Denster]

Are you talking about an actual vacuum sealer? and any pictures? I have been hand forming and boning holsters all along and this sounds interesting. I have been looking at the press but a little leery. I like this idea better. If you need to, PM with all the details....Thanks

No not a vacuum sealer like a seal a meal. What I use is a vacuum bag and separate pump like is used to glue veneering. Do a search for vacuum and you will find a post where I posted pictures of the setup and sources for the materials.