How To Cut Holster Belt Slots

[Garange]

Wondering how most cut the belt slots in gun holsters. I have been using a knife and a sanding drum on a Dremel. Works okay but is time consuming. Do punching slots with a punch work very well? Do they make any impressions on the outside of the slot when finished? All advice is appreciated.

Thanks..

Gary

[NoahL]

Wondering how most cut the belt slots in gun holsters. I have been using a knife and a sanding drum on a Dremel. Works okay but is time consuming. Do punching slots with a punch work very well? Do they make any impressions on the outside of the slot when finished? All advice is appreciated.

Thanks..

Gary

I think most people use hole punches and connect them with chisels. I have never done this, although it sounds like a pretty good idea if all the chisels I could find weren't so THICK. As it stands I punch holes and connect them with a knife and clean them up as best I can with sandpaper. A nice slot punch would be ideal but I have to save up the money for that.

[JoelR]

I have found the key to using the punch and chisel method is to first cut a line down the center of the opening with the chisel to create a relief. Makes the final cuts more precise.

[NoahL]

I have found the key to using the punch and chisel method is to first cut a line down the center of the opening with the chisel to create a relief. Makes the final cuts more precise.

Good suggestion--that makes a lot of sense! I'll have to pick up a chisel or two and give it a shot

[JackRabbit]

Two holes and then A) use very sharp chisel or B ) a carpet cutting knife to cut the slots open .

If you use carpet cutter , do not try to get through with a single cut . Good way to avoid blade marks in the ends is to start the cut from the hole and meet at center o =><=o .

For sanding take a 0,5 or so strip of aluminium or plastic . Then attach the sandpaper on it with two-side adhesive . Now You have a "leather rasp" in your use .

For the icing on the cake , use thin bone stick and burnish the sides of the slots .

My o o : s

JR

Edited September 3, 2010 by JackRabbit

[gregintenn]

I use a 3/16" hole punch for either end, draw straight lines between the edges of the two holes, and cut along the lines with a hobby knife. Then I burnish the slots with gum trag and the end tip of a deer antler. A slot punch would be nice, but daaaaaaaang those things are expensive!!!!!!!!

[steelhawk]

I've been using the hole punch and knife method. It works, but I really didn't like it, plus it takes too long. I ordered a belt slot punch from Texas Custom Dies but haven't got it yet. I will try the chisel with a center cut first and see how I like it while I wait for my slot punch. When my $66 punch arrives I hope it makes things easier and neater.

[gregintenn]

When my $66 punch arrives I hope it makes things easier and neater.

I'm making holsters as a hobby. If I were making holsters for a living, $66 for a 1-1/2" slot punch would be a bargain, as it would save several minutes of labor on each holster.

[steelhawk]

I'm making holsters as a hobby. If I were making holsters for a living, $66 for a 1-1/2" slot punch would be a bargain, as it would save several minutes of labor on each holster.

That's how I started. Now I am selling some and hope the punch will make things easier.

[Denster]

That's how I started. Now I am selling some and hope the punch will make things easier.

The punches from Texas Custom are made from good material. You may find though that you need to regrind and resharpen them to a less blunt angle for use on heavy veg tan. I had to do that with mine and to the set Particle received. It also helps to have a 3 or 4 pound maul to drive them 4lb is better. I can go through two layers of 8/9 Hermann Oak with one solid whack. You also need a good poly board and a solid surface to punch over. Once properly ground and sharpened they rarely need touched up.

[Garange]

Two holes and then A) use very sharp chisel or B ) a carpet cutting knife to cut the slots open .

If you use carpet cutter , do not try to get through with a single cut . Good way to avoid blade marks in the ends is to start the cut from the hole and meet at center o =><=o .

For sanding take a 0,5 or so strip of aluminium or plastic . Then attach the sandpaper on it with two-side adhesive . Now You have a "leather rasp" in your use .

For the icing on the cake , use thin bone stick and burnish the sides of the slots .

My o o : s

JR

Thanks for the reply and advice..

I use a 3/16" hole punch for either end, draw straight lines between the edges of the two holes, and cut along the lines with a hobby knife. Then I burnish the slots with gum trag and the end tip of a deer antler. A slot punch would be nice, but daaaaaaaang those things are expensive!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the help. I think I'll get a hole punch and start there.

Gary