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Posted

Yep, when you live where we do you learn to adapt. I can sun dry Roma tomatoes in one day outside, and cosmolene is easier to remove after setting the item outside in the sun for a bit. I am always looking for ways to use El Sol. the clothe s dryer doesn't get used in the summer, as it takes longer than outside-blue jeans are dry in about 10 mins on the line. It was 113 yesterday, and even after midnight it was still 99.

My question is what happens to a hardened item if it is exposed to high temps again,like being left in a car during summer?

As long as it's not wet nothing happens to it except it gets hot.

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Posted

I live in the humid South, so air drying takes a looong time. I've had the best results with a countertop convection oven, set between 125 and 150 degrees for 30-45 minutes. It dries the holsters firm and hard for good retention. I tried using alcohol to mold one holster and it didn't end up as hard as I can get it using the convection oven. After the oven-drying, I give it a coat of neatsfoot oil to condition the leather and darken/even the color.

Posted

I live in the humid South, so air drying takes a looong time. I've had the best results with a countertop convection oven, set between 125 and 150 degrees for 30-45 minutes. It dries the holsters firm and hard for good retention. I tried using alcohol to mold one holster and it didn't end up as hard as I can get it using the convection oven. After the oven-drying, I give it a coat of neatsfoot oil to condition the leather and darken/even the color.

Agreed that is the best way and the small convection ovens are cheap. I paid less than $20 on sale at Wal-Mart. Just don't trust the temp dial. The oven will do the best job but alcohol works OK and if it's not as firm as you like after you form and bone it and it dries give it another good spray down inside and out and it will get fimer.

+1 on the coat of neatsfoot oil.

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Posted (edited)

Yep, when you live where we do you learn to adapt. I can sun dry Roma tomatoes in one day outside, and cosmolene is easier to remove after setting the item outside in the sun for a bit. I am always looking for ways to use El Sol. the clothe s dryer doesn't get used in the summer, as it takes longer than outside-blue jeans are dry in about 10 mins on the line. It was 113 yesterday, and even after midnight it was still 99.

My question is what happens to a hardened item if it is exposed to high temps again,like being left in a car during summer?

Denster's right ....... nothing except that you got a holster that's hotter than a couple of squirrels trying to make whoopee in a wool sock. Mike

Edited by katsass

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Posted

Denster's right ....... nothing except that you got a holster that's hotter than a couple of squirrels trying to make whoopee in a wool sock. Mike

Mike. You have such a descriptive way of putting things.:thumbsup:

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Posted (edited)

Here are some pics of the setup I use. It is a simple box made of the drop from my cedar fence posts. The boards are rough cut and just laid next to each other before I screwed them together. This makes so there is about a 1/16" gap between boards. I believe the dry cedar along with the gaps in the box make for better drying. The added benefit you get from the cedar is a pleasant aroma. I use two 100w work lights as my heat source. I used to stick a thermometer inside the box and watch the temp closely. However I found that the hottest this box will get even after hours of running is about 132 degrees, so I don't even worry about it anymore.

If you do decide to build a box use a non-sappy wood like redwood or cedar.

All in all the box is about 3'X3'X6" plenty big enough for several holsters, and most any of my projects for that matter. The box also has a cedar lid made of the same fence post boards. You can't see it in the pic but I just lay the top on...no hinge.

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Edited by brathair
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Posted

I use a simple cardboard box and a cheap discount store 1600 watt hair dryer set to low. Gives me a constant 120 degrees.

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Posted

Just put it in the oven and turn it on. Take it out before it burns.

Alcohol.. Drink three fingers of Crown ///////////////////Royal. The leathers done now.

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Kevin

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Posted (edited)

So, if I read all the posts right, you all agree on the 120 Deg. (approx) magic number and you are drying them completely at this temp?

Jake

Edited by SooperJake

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