Some pics forthcoming and questions on second holster

[tbird911]

HI All

I have completed my first "pancake" style holster and will post some pics soon . . .but I need some input . . .

I am looking for info on using a vacuum system (homemade, foodsaver etc.) to mold holsters to a gun. I have hand molded my first and while the results have worked out well, I want to get the kind of molding like I see on some of the professionally made leather holsters. Some of these are so exact in the molding that you can see serrations on the slide and even the ejector port of an automatic or the flutes on a revolver. Surely some of you guys are doing this . . . share your knowledge with a new guy.

Thanks-- Tbird

[Regis]

I tried the vacume bags with shop vack and it worked fairly well. But, I did get harbor freight $125 hydralic press and it is perfect (with some stout rubber pads).

There was a post here how to make a really good vacume table. Search should find it if it was after the crash.

Regis

[tbird911]

I tried the vacume bags with shop vack and it worked fairly well. But, I did get harbor freight $125 hydralic press and it is perfect (with some stout rubber pads).

There was a post here how to make a really good vacume table. Search should find it if it was after the crash.

Regis

Can you give me more info on the harbor freight press-- and you think that works better than the vacuum?

[Shorts]

Go to the Harbor Freight website and search 'arbor press'. There's I believe a 20T hydraulic bench top press for pretty decent price. One of those with some 1/2" flat metal plates welded for the top and bottom sandwich. Then add a pad of gum rubber to each plate.

[Regis]

I think most use the 20 ton but, I did get the 12 ton and am real happy with it (small footprint and plenty of pressure).

HBfreight 12 ton press

[drof99]

Regis I am interested in how you use the press to form. Can you give some more details how you do this? Surely you don't put your gun inside the press to form it or do you? Any way to get some pics going as well. Thanks alot.

[Shorts]

Surely you don't put your gun inside the press to form it or do you?

Yes, you press the gun. And don't call me Surely

Here's the thread with what you're looking for:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...hydraulic+press

Edited April 25, 2008 by Shorts

[Regis]

Regis I am interested in how you use the press to form. Can you give some more details how you do this? Surely you don't put your gun inside the press to form it or do you? Any way to get some pics going as well. Thanks alot.

Short pointed you right. I use blue guns. I wouldn't put a real gun in my press.

Regis

[TomBanwell]

This topic shows two different vacuum forming set-ups. Check out post #17, as that can be applied to gun holsters. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2253

Edited April 25, 2008 by Banwell