Members Big O Posted October 13, 2010 Members Report Posted October 13, 2010 At this point, I just stick a ruler through the belt slots and push them together a little, then let it dry that way. I really should get a section or two of really thick, stiff belt blanks for that purpose......or something else with the proper dimensions. Someone mentioned wooden mandrels. How would I go about finding/making those? Quote https://www.facebook.com/BigOGunleather
Members Dwight Posted October 13, 2010 Members Report Posted October 13, 2010 At this point, I just stick a ruler through the belt slots and push them together a little, then let it dry that way. I really should get a section or two of really thick, stiff belt blanks for that purpose......or something else with the proper dimensions. Someone mentioned wooden mandrels. How would I go about finding/making those? Big O, . . . I have taken small board scraps and made "imitation" belts and other tools around which I mold leather shapes. I like southern yellow pine the best as it sands easily, . . . is harder than regular pine or spruce, . . . and does not leave a grain mark on my projects. As for developing the "curve" for the body, . . . I laughlingly advise my customers to strap on the new holster, . . . insert gun, . . . get in the car, . . . drive about 100 to 200 miles to a really great restaurant, . . . come home. Unholstering and laying it on the night stand, . . . it will be properly curved. Don't laugh, . . . it works. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members Shorts Posted October 13, 2010 Members Report Posted October 13, 2010 (edited) At this point, I just stick a ruler through the belt slots and push them together a little, then let it dry that way. I really should get a section or two of really thick, stiff belt blanks for that purpose......or something else with the proper dimensions. Someone mentioned wooden mandrels. How would I go about finding/making those? I grabbed some aluminum straps the last time I picked up some steel stock for the garage. I was using belt mocks ups but they became too flimsy when I needed to form belt channels on my holster models that were a little tight. The aluminum is rigid and holds form, and nonporous so I don't have to worry about breakdown or swelling/shrinking. Edited October 13, 2010 by Shorts Quote
Members Reaper Posted October 13, 2010 Members Report Posted October 13, 2010 To me it would seem to be more of a pain in the butt to have a shaped holster digging in until it reshapes to my body, than one that has a curve to it but will shape to me as I wear it. Not like it is Injection molding or Kydex which drive me up a wall because they never fit "just right"... But, what I have been using for belt slots is two Cypress shims which are inserted and pushed together until the desired thickness of a belt is reached. You can get them at Lowes, HDepot where the Doors are located. Shim Packs... Quote No sir, he fell into that bullet
Members Shorts Posted October 13, 2010 Members Report Posted October 13, 2010 To me it would seem to be more of a pain in the butt to have a shaped holster digging in until it reshapes to my body, than one that has a curve to it but will shape to me as I wear it. Not like it is Injection molding or Kydex which drive me up a wall because they never fit "just right"... But, what I have been using for belt slots is two Cypress shims which are inserted and pushed together until the desired thickness of a belt is reached. You can get them at Lowes, HDepot where the Doors are located. Shim Packs... The reminds me, if one goes too far shaping the holster it will actually be too loose on the gun when being worn. The affect is the opposite of pulling the wings back that make the mouth close. Instead the wings get pushed out and the mouth opens. I built a holster for my dad and I put a little more curve into it than was necessary for him. I watched it happen. On me the holster holds the gun snug. On him, it's loose on the gun. It needs to be realized that there is a happy medium that must be achieved. Quote
Members olliesrevenge Posted October 13, 2010 Members Report Posted October 13, 2010 Mandrels... I'm sure alot of leatherworkers use them, but being a total noob I was oblivious until I got the idea from one of Lobo's posts, where he posted pic's of his. I found this at Home Depot ... http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg1/Ntk-All/Ntt-poplar%2Bwood/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&catalogId=10053&merchRule=true&catStyle=ShowProducts ...except in a 1/4" x 1 1/2" size that is dead nuts identical to the profile of a good gun belt. I sanded the edges round and tapered the ends a bit and it was good to go. I haven't thought about swelling shrinkage though, I guess I'll keep an eye out for that. Quote
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