Tricks To Making Flaps Even On Any Type Holster

[mmirob]

What is the key to cutting or measuring an even snap flap if you do not have a template or pattern to model from. As you can see, mine is not quite even.

[particle]

Since your design is pretty much symmetrical, you could try drawing a reference line down the center of your pattern that indicates the Center Line. Lay your pattern on a clean piece of pattern paper (card stock, etc.), transfer the center line marks to the clean piece of paper, then without moving your original pattern, trace around one half of the pattern - starting at the center line mark, go down and around the pattern till you hit the other end of the center line mark. Then, flip your pattern over, align the center line marks again, and trace around the other half. Now you have a symmetrical pattern that you can cut out - it may not be 100% perfect, but it'll be at least 95% there.

That's actually pretty much what Stohlman recommends in his holster book - but he suggest you fold the pattern in half and trace around the other half. I think folding the paper automatically introduces inaccuracies because depending on how thick the pattern material is, it will rarely fold cleanly and exactly on your center line.

[mmirob]

Since your design is pretty much symmetrical, you could try drawing a reference line down the center of your pattern that indicates the Center Line. Lay your pattern on a clean piece of pattern paper (card stock, etc.), transfer the center line marks to the clean piece of paper, then without moving your original pattern, trace around one half of the pattern - starting at the center line mark, go down and around the pattern till you hit the other end of the center line mark. Then, flip your pattern over, align the center line marks again, and trace around the other half. Now you have a symmetrical pattern that you can cut out - it may not be 100% perfect, but it'll be at least 95% there.

That's actually pretty much what Stohlman recommends in his holster book - but he suggest you fold the pattern in half and trace around the other half. I think folding the paper automatically introduces inaccuracies because depending on how thick the pattern material is, it will rarely fold cleanly and exactly on your center line.

Thanks Eric. I'll try that on my next one. BTW did you see my elephant w/ airbrush fade?

Rob

[reuben cogburn]

place a ruler, at the point you wish to place the snap (horizontally across the flap...)

measure the with of the flap and divide by 2....

marke the center.. (or half way point) with a pen/awl/etc....

punch your snap hole..

If you want it repeatable, just make a mockup flap and overlay on the actual sheath....

regards...

reuben...

[JLSleather]

FOLD your pattern material, then cut one side of the pattern line, cutting through both layers. When you unfold it, it WILL match.

NOTE: You'll want to measure/mark the INSIDE of your pattern. This will make it fit your item. The thicker the material, the farther off it will be on the outside. Think of it this way... you make a 12" x 12" x 12" box from 1/8" thick masonite. Inside of the box measures 11 7/8 x 11 7/8 x 11 7/8. Make the same size box out of 3/4" lumber, inside the box is now only 11 1/4". Leather the same way. Any type of case that is going to custom fit the item should be made with the INSIDE dimensions in mind.