Members MOA Posted January 11, 2011 Members Report Posted January 11, 2011 What tools are required for making holsters? i'm new to this and the forum, made a couple just to figure out patterns. But what i need is tools. So, what do I need? Heres a list of what I think I need, help meto find good tools. buy once buy right. 1 stitching awl(I'm using a scrib from lowes...) 2 good needles 3 bevler 4 stitching gouge 5 boning tool 6 burnishing tool(I can use a dowl for this right?) 7 stitch roller/spacer I don't have a leather sop near buy, so i'll probley order on line. I want stuff that will last. Quote
Members TexasJack Posted January 12, 2011 Members Report Posted January 12, 2011 I once asked a knifemaker and supplier what I needed to make a knife. His answer: "Desire". Quote
Members BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 12, 2011 Members Report Posted January 12, 2011 (edited) Hello MOA, Depends on what type of holsters that you intend to make. The basics would be leather, knife, and lacing ,or needle and thread. The fancier you get the more, or different tools you may want/need to accomplish what you want to do. Fancy tools do not make a better item, craftsmanship does. Some tools will make some jobs easier, but they don't neccessarilly have to be used to get great results. Old West Concealment rigs LEO gear Competition Reproductions There are lots of different holsters with different ways to make each. A little more clarity will help us help you. Edited January 12, 2011 by BIGGUNDOCTOR Quote You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.
Members MOA Posted January 12, 2011 Author Members Report Posted January 12, 2011 Right now I'm working on concealment rigs, both IWB and pancake. I do want to eventually make western rigs too. I have desire, I made a pretty ok looking OWB for my brother out of scrap leather, a wood scribe, thread and needle from hobby lobby and mt trusty Benchmade pocket knife for the cutting/trimming. I wet formed it, hand molded it, then used a sharpie to get some of the detail. I used the benchmade at a angle to bevel the edges, and sand paper and denim scraps to burnish em. It looks ok for my first holster ever. Now I know I need to measure for every stitch, mine varry by a 1/16" or so, and I know I need a stitching awl. Quote
Members treadhead1952 Posted January 12, 2011 Members Report Posted January 12, 2011 Right now I'm working on concealment rigs, both IWB and pancake. I do want to eventually make western rigs too. I have desire, I made a pretty ok looking OWB for my brother out of scrap leather, a wood scribe, thread and needle from hobby lobby and mt trusty Benchmade pocket knife for the cutting/trimming. I wet formed it, hand molded it, then used a sharpie to get some of the detail. I used the benchmade at a angle to bevel the edges, and sand paper and denim scraps to burnish em. It looks ok for my first holster ever. Now I know I need to measure for every stitch, mine varry by a 1/16" or so, and I know I need a stitching awl. Hi MOA, I have made more than a few holsters of various types. My basic tools list would definitely include a C.S. Osborne Stitching Awl, short, incredibly sharp, and four sided so that you can angle it to get the best stitching angles as you work around the various parts of the holster. The handle is also nicely shaped and can be used to burnish edges as well. An adjustable Groover like the one sold by Tandy is also excellent to cut a groove in the edges of your holster project to sink the stitching into to protect it as well as offer a guide to lay out your stitches. While not necessary, if you are having trouble laying out the stitches, a pounce wheel set like Tandy's is also available. It has interchangeable wheels so you can pick out different numbers of holes per inch. It marks the spots to stab with the Awl for your needles to go through. Good Harness Needles to do your stitching with are easily obtained from Tandy as well. If you want a groove on the back side of the project, wait until you stab the holes through the front side of the project before you attempt to lay the second groove. Invariably, if you try to lay out the back side groove then stab the holes, some of them will fall outside the groove and spoil the look of your project. A Stitching Horse to hold your project while you hand sew it is also a nice addition. It frees your hands up, lets you work the needles back and forth through the stitch lines and lets you keep tension on the thread all at the same time. You can either buy one or build one, your choice depending on how handy you are in the shop. Jay treadhead1952 Las Vegas, NV Quote Jay treadhead1952 Las Vegas, NV
Members BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 13, 2011 Members Report Posted January 13, 2011 Hello Treadhead1952 from another (close to) Las Vegas denizen. Would you happen to be the gentleman I talked with in Tandy last Saturday, and told about LW.net? MOA, looks like you are getting some good info now. When you get going don't forget to post some pics of your work . Quote You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.
Members treadhead1952 Posted January 13, 2011 Members Report Posted January 13, 2011 Hello Treadhead1952 from another (close to) Las Vegas denizen. Would you happen to be the gentleman I talked with in Tandy last Saturday, and told about LW.net? MOA, looks like you are getting some good info now. When you get going don't forget to post some pics of your work . Hi BGDr., While I will admit to haunting the local Tandy store, I don't recall talking to anyone but the two ladies who run the store. On Saturday afternoon I did dash in briefly to snag a Mini Punch set only to find that the kind folks who shipped the five sets to them last Saturday decided to hold the order up until Monday. I found the site here searching on the browser. But it is nice to run into another desert native in the same neck of the woods, or should I say cactus patch. Jay treadhead1952 Las Vegas, NV Quote Jay treadhead1952 Las Vegas, NV
Members BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted January 13, 2011 Members Report Posted January 13, 2011 I posted last year in hopes of getting a roll call of members in the Las Vegas area, but it didn't go any farther then myself. I know that there is a gal who does custom motorcycle seats on here too, but other than her I haven't seen anyone else. Don't want to hijack this thread, so I may fire up that old post to see if anyone bites this time around. Quote You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.
Members treadhead1952 Posted January 13, 2011 Members Report Posted January 13, 2011 I posted last year in hopes of getting a roll call of members in the Las Vegas area, but it didn't go any farther then myself. I know that there is a gal who does custom motorcycle seats on here too, but other than her I haven't seen anyone else. Don't want to hijack this thread, so I may fire up that old post to see if anyone bites this time around. Sounds like a plan to me, I'll keep my eyes open. Jay treadhead1952 Las Vegas, NV Quote Jay treadhead1952 Las Vegas, NV
Members MOA Posted January 13, 2011 Author Members Report Posted January 13, 2011 Sounds like I can et most everything from Tandy leather and not to much I need to get a better start. Thanks. Quote
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