WaG35 Report post Posted January 14, 2008 well, I tried to post a pic of the 1st holsters to come out of my shop. The one on the left is a still in progress pancake holster and the one on the right is a IWB that is done except for some kind of finish. I think I will keep it natural and put some atom wax on it. I put it on for about 2 hours tonight, long enough to figure out that there are some things that I will do differently on the next one. Both of these are for my Glock 23. This was a lot of fun and this leather stuff is kind of addicting. My 6 year old daughter came out into the garage last night while I was working and said "Hey Daddy you are pretty good at that could you make me a purse next?" Of course I said yes. I mean what else was I going to say. I found a Tandy's close by, and I think I will be spending a lot of time and money in there. Anyway, I think for the most part I am pretty pleased with the way that they turned out. Especially for my first try. I think I figured a few things out in the process. My stitching got better as I went along. And decided on a few tools to get to make things a little easier. Feel free to critique them if you like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usmc0341 Report post Posted January 14, 2008 They look pretty good for your first couple holsters. Each time I make a holster I find things that I would do differently on the next one, I figure in about 10 years I should have the "perfect" holster. It is very addicting but very relaxing for me. Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Craw Report post Posted January 14, 2008 Good theory Marine, but I've been making them for 27 years and haven't built one "perfect' yet!!! Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gunfighter48 Report post Posted January 14, 2008 (edited) Those are great for the first holsters!! Your molding looks very good; are you using a press or doing it by hand? Are you going to dip dye them or use a piece of wool or dauber? I like Fiebing's USMC Black and the medium brown. You can thin them with alcohol and get just the right color. If you don't already know, don't use neatsfoot oil on holsters it will soften the leather and they won't hold their shape. After dyeing I use a couple of light coats of Lexol conditioner and then 2 coats of Super or Satin Sheen. John Edited January 14, 2008 by gunfighter48 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyc Report post Posted January 15, 2008 Nice start on making holsters. Stick with it and you may very well be off to a very addicting hobby and or business if you choose. Now get busy, build your daughter a purse, then back to the holster bench. Please post more photos so we can all learn something. The only advise I have is don't go crazy on tools. Buy what you need at Tandy and if you really get into this you can always upgrade to better tools. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WaG35 Report post Posted January 15, 2008 (edited) Thanks guys for the comments. I did a little more stitching on the pancake holster. I added a stitch line on both sides of the gun. These are hand molded and I don't plan to dip dye them. I was planning the dauber thing. Actually if I dye either of these it will just be for practice, because for some reason, as you can see, I used white thread. The guy at Tandy sold me some die, I know it was oil dye but I don't remember what brand. He also sold me some atom wax I think it was called for a topcoat. Are either of these going to work or do I need to go another direction? As for the purse, she wants it to be pink. The things I do for my little girl. She knows damn well I will do anything she asks me to. Thanks again for the comments. Edited January 15, 2008 by WaG35 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOOMSTICKHolsters Report post Posted January 17, 2008 Hey, waG35. Nice job. If you haven't dyed your new holsters yet, I would suggest you get some "Bick 4" leather conditioner first. If you apply it first, it will make the dye job much more even. It is even possible to mix it with the dye before you apply it. Just don't use too much of it or you will soften the hoster. The other good way to cheat and get an even finish is to use a hobbyist's air brush. If you planning on dyeing it black you can skip all this stuff, but for brown or tan finishes this works pretty well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WaG35 Report post Posted January 17, 2008 thanks fellas. I am getting really addicted to this leather stuff. Also, I have patterns made for both of these holster if you wanna give it a shot. They are made for a Glock 23, but you would probably be able to adapt them to semi-auto of similar size. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
