Holster Edge Seam?

[GrampaJoel]

Hi I'm back!

I have just finished these two holsters. The edge where the two sides are glued and sewn are visible. Even with the sanding and lots of burnishing and the brown one is edge coated. ( no edge coat on the black one)

Can anyone help with this problem?

Thanks

Joel

[gregintenn]

There's going to be a seam. Have you ever seen a holster where that seem wasn't visible?

[katsass]

Hi I'm back!

I have just finished these two holsters. The edge where the two sides are glued and sewn are visible. Even with the sanding and lots of burnishing and the brown one is edge coated. ( no edge coat on the black one)

Can anyone help with this problem?

Thanks

Joel

I think I see what you are talking about...........what are you using to 'glue' the leather together? Mike

[GrampaJoel]

Mike

I'm using Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement, that I got from Tandy .

I've used it for layered edges ( see attachment below) before on just veg-tan leather and have had fine luck, but these holsters seem to leave a fine line at the seam joint.

Could it be the lining that isn't burnishing well? One lining was oil tan, ( brown holster) and one lining was mission tan Pig ( black holster). I've had good luck with the oil-tan burnishing well before. First time with the pig skin. But I skived it away from the edge any ways so it isn't even at the edge.

Thanks for helping

Joel

Edited August 21, 2010 by GrampaJoel

[katsass]

Mike

I'm using Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement, that I got from Tandy .

I've used it for layered edges ( see attachment below) before on just veg-tan leather and have had fine luck, but these holsters seem to leave a fine line at the seam joint.

Could it be the lining that isn't burnishing well? One lining was oil tan, ( brown holster) and one lining was mission tan Pig ( black holster). I've had good luck with the oil-tan burnishing well before. First time with the pig skin. But I skived it away from the edge any ways so it isn't even at the edge.

Thanks for helping

Joel

Well, I make almost all of my holsters with two layers of leather for the body, I use Weldwood Contact Cement, in a thin uniform coat. After drying the requisite amount of time, I place the two layers together and roll the entire piece with a hard, wooden wallpaper seam roller. When cementing my welt, I do exactly the same thing. Apply the cement in a smooth, thin coat, allow to dry, and place the edges together. Then roll, firmly, with the wooden roller. It works for me....even with doeskin lining......which I use once in a great while. Mike

[Dwight]

First, follow Katsass' lead, get the Weldwood contact cement and give that Tandy stuff to someone you don't really like. It stinks to high heaven, is a lousy product, and is far too costly.

Second, . . . as far as I can see, you may have just quit too soon. It looked on my monitor as though the center line was indented, and the two outer layers were still rounded. I use a flat belt sander, . . . it's a $50 cheapie from Harbor Freight, . . . and I sand the edges until they are FLAT.

But the other thing, . . . both holsters were looking good. Edges are something very few customers ever seem to care about. They want (in my experience): 1) fit, 2) function, 3) color, 4) decoration or esthetics, . . . and somewhere farther down the line, . . . a seasoned old timer may run his thumb up or down an edge or a seam. Now that is no excuse for poor workmanship, . . . but it puts the whole thing in it's proper perspective.

May God bless,

Dwight

[hidepounder]

Joel...it looks to me like you're not getting your edges sanded enough to get both sides even. Are you gluing the two pieces out to the edge and what type of glue are you using? When I glue I use Barge (old formula) or Masters. I use a stationary belt sander with a pretty fine grit. I also don't mind if I get just the slightest amount of scortch as it has a tenency to harden the edges. The sander will remove any excess glue residue. I burnish with glycerine saddle soap (in bar form) and rub it vigorously with heavy canvas. I dye after I burnish and I stay away from edge coat products.

Here Is a link to my approach on edging......Finishing Edges

This Photo is of two pieces of leather that are glued together and then sewn.

Hope this helps.....

Bobby

[GrampaJoel]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'll give all of the suggestions a try as I go on to the next project.

Thanks again for taking your time to help me out.

Joel

[BigRiverLeather]

I sand on a sanding drum in my drill press first, then I sand with 340 grit until all signs of the seam are gone, or at least I can't feel them. Then I rub some spit on the seam and sand it more with the same 340 grit. After sanding burnishing fast for about 30 seconds it all of a sudden will turn to glass. Then I put it on the burnishing tool in my drill press with some saddle soap smeared on the edge. No seams.

My customers do care and appreciate it.