Sewing Stitcher/machine For Holster Building

[Garange]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new member and looking for some advice. I've been building gun holsters for a little over a year now selling on eBay and to others. I believe I make a pretty good holster and have had excellent reviews but my problem is the time it takes to complete one. I hand-stitch each one and of course is very time consuming. I've been doing some research on leather stitchers and sewing machines but would love to get some ideas by others that build holsters. I use a 6/7 oz up to 8/9 oz leather. I've made and sold around 25 holsters to date but would like to decrease my labor time with a good machine. Not looking for a cheap machine but also don't want to go overboard on cost at the beginning with a machine that I may not like or can operate very well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edited June 6, 2010 by Garange

[TwinOaks]

Look to the top of the page at the ads- these are some of the common suppliers for leather rated sewing machines. Also, we have an entire section dedicated to leather sewing machines, just scroll down from the main forum page. There's more info there than I can type in two days, and it can answer some specific questions about the various machines' capabilities.

For your options, you can go manual (Tippmann Boss, or Luberto's Cub series), or powered (everything else). You might luck out and find a Boss for around a grand, but for most everything else, $1500 is gonna be about the least you'll spend....for a used model. If you're looking to make money at this, go ahead and plan for about $3000 to spend on a machine. Get more machine than you think you'll need- there's currently only about 200-400 dollar difference between the short and long arms....spend the extra money for the extra capacity.

Call the suppliers, call more than one. The phone numbers are typically listed on their websites, so give them a call and tell them what you'll be making. There's a few minor differences between the 'clones', and what you can expect from them, and first person Q&A beats reading it in a forum.

While your checking out the machines, look at things like thread and replacement needles.

Avoid the antique "industrial" machines on ebay, just stick to what's recommende here- It's a collective knowledge base, and we'll try to steer you right.

[Garange]

Look to the top of the page at the ads- these are some of the common suppliers for leather rated sewing machines. Also, we have an entire section dedicated to leather sewing machines, just scroll down from the main forum page. There's more info there than I can type in two days, and it can answer some specific questions about the various machines' capabilities.

For your options, you can go manual (Tippmann Boss, or Luberto's Cub series), or powered (everything else). You might luck out and find a Boss for around a grand, but for most everything else, $1500 is gonna be about the least you'll spend....for a used model. If you're looking to make money at this, go ahead and plan for about $3000 to spend on a machine. Get more machine than you think you'll need- there's currently only about 200-400 dollar difference between the short and long arms....spend the extra money for the extra capacity.

Call the suppliers, call more than one. The phone numbers are typically listed on their websites, so give them a call and tell them what you'll be making. There's a few minor differences between the 'clones', and what you can expect from them, and first person Q&A beats reading it in a forum.

While your checking out the machines, look at things like thread and replacement needles.

Avoid the antique "industrial" machines on ebay, just stick to what's recommende here- It's a collective knowledge base, and we'll try to steer you right.

Thank you very much for the reply and information. I will consider it all and continue to research my options. I'm really glad I've had the opportuntiy to join this forum.

[Deanimator]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new member and looking for some advice. I've been building gun holsters for a little over a year now selling on eBay and to others. I believe I make a pretty good holster and have had excellent reviews but my problem is the time it takes to complete one. I hand-stitch each one and of course is very time consuming. I've been doing some research on leather stitchers and sewing machines but would love to get some ideas by others that build holsters. I use a 6/7 oz up to 8/9 oz leather. I've made and sold around 25 holsters to date but would like to decrease my labor time with a good machine. Not looking for a cheap machine but also don't want to go overboard on cost at the beginning with a machine that I may not like or can operate very well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

We're in the same boat, although you're much farther along than I am. I've just done my first holster, a pocket holster for a 2" J-Frame Smith. It got a good reception at my club. Now, I need to be able to make more of them (as well as finish my tuckable IWB design). Ask a lot of questions here before you buy anything. Choice of a holster capable leather sewing machine is a HIGHLY technical matter. I was like the guy wanting to get into Olympic pistol shooting without knowing a Hammerli from a Hi Point.

Edited June 6, 2010 by Deanimator

[dirtclod]

In addition the suppliers at the top of the page call Ferdco . They have a web site http://www.ferdco.com/ . They are super nice folks and will help you anyway they can, or they have always helped me anyway. I have had a Juki Pro 2000 for 10 or 12 years now and never have had a problem with it. I do leather work full time and make a little bit of everthing. It will sew your holsters no problem i've made a bunch of them.

Just like the others said get at least a 16 inch arm no matter what brand you buy, you will be glad you did. Because some where along the line you wil need the extra length and it's nice to have.

John

[Denster]

My suggestion for a first machine would be a used Tippmann Boss. You can generally get one on eBay for $1000 or a little less and later if you want a powered machine you will be able to get back most if not all of your money on the Boss. Although you may find you don't need anything more. There is a learning curve to sewing leather with any machine and the Boss is easy to learn on. It has a small footprint only weighs about 25lbs and will sew through up to 3/4" veg-tan. They are virtually indestructable and any work that needs to be done on them you can do yourself if you are even remotely mechanicaly inclined. Something to consider if you are not located near someone who can service your machine. Worst case you can send it UPS to Tippmann and they will completely rebuild it for about $100 plus parts and give it a new factory warranty. I've sewen over 2K of holsters on both of my Boss machines and the only thing I've broken is two needles and a presser foot cable.

[Deanimator]

For those of you who have used the Tippman Boss, how hard is it to use versus a powered machine? I load all of my own ammunition on a Dillon RL550B reloading press, so manipulation of a manual device isn't a problem. I'm just wondering how much of a performance hit do you take.

Thanks.

[K-Man]

I've had the opportunity to use a variety of machines for holster making. If you're really serious about wanting to make a quality holster/product, my recommendation would be to skip the BOSS. I broke two of them beyond repair and sold a third off in disgust within a 15-month period. I then used a Model 5 machine from Neel's Saddlery - huge improvement. I made a number of items with it, to include product that got us first place in the Star Wars costume contest at their convention in Indianapolis a few years ago. I used that machine for approximately 18-24 months. I then bought two Artisan Toro 3000's. That was another move up in performance and quality of product produced. Have had virtually zero problems with those machines. I also bought an Artisan 618 and after a couple of years with it started having some problems. Called their customer service. Let's just say that I will not buy another product from Artisan nor recommend their products to anyone. My suggestion would be to seriously consider the Cobra Class 3 from Cobra Leather Machine company or the equivalent model from Neel's Saddlery. The machines sew up to 3/4" or 7/8" thickness of leather. The quality of the machine is superior to a BOSS machine by far. The customer service of both Cobra and Neel's is some of the best I've experienced anywhere.

Edited June 6, 2010 by K-Man

[Garange]

I'd like to thank everyone here for their excellent advice and knowledge. It is very much appreciated and will be instrumental in my final decision on what type of machine to purchase.

Thank you.

Gary

Edited June 6, 2010 by Garange

[dmr400]

As someone who is in the same boat you are, I bit the bullet and spent the money for a new Cobra Class 4 from Steve at Leather Machine Company. Steve was exceptional to work with and is easy to get a hold of if you have any questions. The only issue at all I have had with my machine was assembling it, the factory had forgotten to drill one hole in the base, steve had it figured out in 30 seconds when I got him on the phone, I pulled out the cordless drill and was sewing away within a 30 more minutes. It is capable of sewing very slowly when you master the foot pedal, so after just a couple hours practicing I was feeling very comfortable and starting to speed up. Can't say it enough, Steve was great to work with. I ordered my machine when I was in Iraq which made for some difficult communications, and Steve was more than happy to work with me and was VERY military friendly.

Edited June 6, 2010 by dmr400