Holsters

[cowhide]

How do you get the sharpe inpression of the pistol in the holster? I am placeing the blue gun in the holster and inserting holster between 2 heavy foam rubber and placing into an 20 ton hand press.What else can I do.Thanks,Stephen

[Lobo]

Stephen:

Your press should be compressing the leather tightly enough around the handgun mold that you can see the major details of the piece. Using various tools, such as a bone folder and other smooth working tools, you can then work each major detail to mold it to a perfect fit.

Moisture content in the leather and temperature at the time of working can have an effect on your efforts. Too much moisture, or too high a temperature, and your molding efforts will not be retained. Within a fairly narrow range of moisture content and temperature you will find that detail-boning a holster requires relatively little effort with good tools and patience.

Patience is the key here. A little bit at a time, then a lot of effort at the RIGHT time, will yield positive results.

It can be helpful to keep a photo or scan of the handgun on the bench while you work, helping you to identify the major details. Don't worry about the minor stuff, and don't try to carry the detail too far. It is very easy to overwork a piece, especially while it remains too wet to retain the efforts. Detail-boning requires a good amount of patience, working the leather throughout the drying process.

I hope that this helps you.

[Dwight]

Most of the folks I've talked to here on the internet (myself included) use Durometer 40, gum rubber, . . . it can be purchased from McMaster-Carr industrial sales. It is sold in 1 inch thick x 12 inch wide pieces, . . . cut off a roll.

Enough to do most handguns will cost you close to $150. You do NOT use the real gun with this rubber, . . . you use only dummy guns.

Foam rubber simply is not stiff enough to give you the impression you are looking for.

May God bless,

Dwight

[cowhide]

Stephen:

Your press should be compressing the leather tightly enough around the handgun mold that you can see the major details of the piece. Using various tools, such as a bone folder and other smooth working tools, you can then work each major detail to mold it to a perfect fit.

Moisture content in the leather and temperature at the time of working can have an effect on your efforts. Too much moisture, or too high a temperature, and your molding efforts will not be retained. Within a fairly narrow range of moisture content and temperature you will find that detail-boning a holster requires relatively little effort with good tools and patience.

Patience is the key here. A little bit at a time, then a lot of effort at the RIGHT time, will yield positive results.

It can be helpful to keep a photo or scan of the handgun on the bench while you work, helping you to identify the major details. Don't worry about the minor stuff, and don't try to carry the detail too far. It is very easy to overwork a piece, especially while it remains too wet to retain the efforts. Detail-boning requires a good amount of patience, working the leather throughout the drying process.

I hope that this helps you.

You are correct. My moisture may not be right will recheck it and retry,thanks