Some Recent Work

[dickf]

Pancake for a Govt 1911 black on black

Same pattern in brown with black thread

Pancake for a G19

I find the Glocks especially challenging and it has taken several tries to get the stitch line in close.

Comments/critiques welcome.

[Lobo]

Exceptionally nice work.

[wizard of tragacanth]

Top notch stuff!

[Denster]

Exceptionally well done but then we have come to expect that from you.

[Haystacker]

Stunning. some of the best detail work I've seen.

[Eaglestroker]

I would like to know what the color is on that last piece. That combination with white thread and black edges looks perfect to me. How you dye the belt slots without ruining the holster is beyond me

Truly exceptional design, work, and fit/finish.

[dickf]

Thank you for the kind words. I try hard, and am reasonably pleased with my results...most of the time. I think a press is on my short list. Any suggestions?

@Eaglstroker - The color is the same in the 2nd and 3rd photo, believe it or not. It's all lighting - the Glock was shot sitting in the kitchen sink! The true color is between the top and the bottom. It's drum dyed chestnut brown.

[Denster]

Thank you for the kind words. I try hard, and am reasonably pleased with my results...most of the time. I think a press is on my short list. Any suggestions?

@Eaglstroker - The color is the same in the 2nd and 3rd photo, believe it or not. It's all lighting - the Glock was shot sitting in the kitchen sink! The true color is between the top and the bottom. It's drum dyed chestnut brown.

Vacuum press with a poly bag and bone your details right through the bag.

[K-Man]

Great work.

You're always welcome to run down here for a visit. We'll be here until Christmas. I can show you my press/clicker set up. Very efficient and takes up very little bench top space.

Edited November 28, 2011 by K-Man

[MADMAX22]

Very clean looking stuff. Great work.

Had a questions, what size needle and what machine are you using. Your stitching looks really good and the back stitching part looks really good to. I seem to keep goofing that part up, it doesnt turn out to bad but not quiet as neat as yours.

[dickf]

K-Man, thanks for the offer and compliment - I do need to get together with you some time. I'm not particularly interested in a vacuum because I'd like to be able to use the press as a small-ish clicker at some point. I'd love to see photos and/or hear what you've got - it sounds like what I'm after.

@MADMAX - Thank you for the nice words! I'm using 277 top and bottom, although I swear my black thread seems slightly smaller than my white and brown thread. I use bonded nylon. The machine I'm using is a Neel's model 5, which I believe is commonly sold as other brands/names depending on who sells it to you. Ryan Neel is a great guy to do business with, though. I usually back stitch 2-3 stitches at the start and end, and always make a point to rotate my piece counter-clockwise to do it. After the backstitches are in place, I put a drop of super glue on the knot in the back and pull the knot into the middle of the leather. Once it's dry, I snip the ends and then melt them. The result is a very strong endpoint that would take a lot of deliberate force to undo.

Side note: since the beginning of the year, I've been putting kind of a 'swoop' on the front mouth of the holster to accommodate crimson trace grips. Seems to be working well and adds a unique touch, I think.

[Eaglestroker]

Thanks for the reply to my questions Dick, I may have to try some drum dyed stuff before too long. I think in the long term it would be cheaper with better color matching, are you happy with it?

You may laugh but I think the same thing about my black 277 thread vs white, maybe it's a trick of the eye but it just seems smaller.

The swoop really stands out, I was wondering last night if it served a purpose and now I know!

Edited November 29, 2011 by Eaglestroker

[katsass]

Pancake for a Govt 1911 black on black

Same pattern in brown with black thread

Pancake for a G19

I find the Glocks especially challenging and it has taken several tries to get the stitch line in close.

Comments/critiques welcome.

VERY nice work. Mike

[Denster]

Thank you for the kind words. I try hard, and am reasonably pleased with my results...most of the time. I think a press is on my short list. Any suggestions?

@Eaglstroker - The color is the same in the 2nd and 3rd photo, believe it or not. It's all lighting - the Glock was shot sitting in the kitchen sink! The true color is between the top and the bottom. It's drum dyed chestnut brown.

I was wondering is that drum dyed WC backs and is the color struck through on it. Certainly is a rich color.

Great work.

You're always welcome to run down here for a visit. We'll be here until Christmas. I can show you my press/clicker set up. Very efficient and takes up very little bench top space.

K-Man

I'm curious. How large a part are you able to click out with your Weaver bench press?

[mattsh]

Looks good! Nice work.

[dickf]

Yeah, it's drum dyed WC leather split to 8.5oz and holstered. I needed the leather quickly, so I didn't opt for it to be refinished after splitting. The color is deep on the grain side, but is not struck through to all the way to the back. I like to dye all of my holsters black on the inside, so I probably wouldn't get it refinished in chestnut, anyway. I would, however, opt to have it done when I order some black. It's very nice leather and makes a great holster, in my opinion.

[K-Man]

K-Man

I'm curious. How large a part are you able to click out with your Weaver bench press?

I've used it to cut out IWB, OWB and pocket holster patterns, spur straps, and similar.

[particle]

Looks great dickf! I like your CT cutout. And that's a great idea about the super glue on the knot and pulling it into the leather. I tried the same thing, but didn't pull the knot into the stitch hole. I might have to give your method a try.

[Denster]

I've used it to cut out IWB, OWB and pocket holster patterns, spur straps, and similar.

K-Man

Thanks for the info! Do you have any preference as to who makes your dies. I do business with Weaver, Tippmann and Texas Custom but I've never had any clicker dies made.

[K-Man]

I've used Tippmann for 99% of the dies. I've also used Texas Custom and Pro Rodeo Originals. Tippmann and Pro Rodeo have really good prices and usually very quick turn around.

[Denster]

I've used Tippmann for 99% of the dies. I've also used Texas Custom and Pro Rodeo Originals. Tippmann and Pro Rodeo have really good prices and usually very quick turn around.

Thanks again for the info. I guess I'll go with Tippmann. If you are satisfied with them I'm sure I will be.

[dickf]

Can I get a link, photo, or PM with the info about this press?

Thanks!

[K-Man]

dickf:

The main press is the Weaver bench top press, the Heritage Hydraulic Bench Press. I did some modifications/additions to it in order to use it as both a press and a clicker. The standard plates are 1/2 inch. I welded a second 1/2 inch plate to the bottom plate. I swapped out the standard 6-ton jack with a 12-ton air-over-hydraulic jack that I got from Harbor Freight. The press is rated for a 12-ton capacity.

When using it as a press, between the steel plates I add one-inch gum rubber top and bottom for pressing, and use the hydraulic portion of the jack to press the mold/leather.

When using it as a clicker, I place 1/2-inch cutting board on top of the bottom steel plate. I use the air portion of the jack to click out the pattern.

All total, the set up cost approximately $500 for the parts/shipping. I'll try and get a couple of pictures posted tomorrow.

denster: The quality and durability of the Tippmann dies is excellent. I've had some of the dies for nearly 10 years. I've clicked out approximately 4500 holsters with one die in particular and it's just now getting to the point where the edge really needs to be sharpened. I would estimate that I've gotten some 50-60 dies from them.