SandSquid Report post Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) US Navy Reservist (I am rated as an "IS" but hold secondary NEC's as a "MA" and "IT" as well) been a mobilized for the past 7 years to some of the cruddiest places on the planet (Iraq, Djibouti, Kuwait, Afghanistan, etc.) Just got back from my toughest tour in Afghnistan after a few way-too-close calls, and I'm finally demobilizing and burning down a huge pile of accumulated leave time and trying to get my head straight, or at least functional & socially acceptable, now that I'm back in "polite society". Finding leather working to be a great way to manage stress and regain some sense of "hominess" while trying to learn how to make some holsters for the daily carry weapon(s) for myself and my family... My wife recently totally lucked into a decent job with a daily commute through the crapiest parts of our city.... and finally decided to get her Carry License. She tried LOTS of holster and didn't like any of the hard styles (kydex) and is a lefty so anything would be an order-and-wait and hope she likes it proposition. So I figure I don't have a job, and plenty of time... I can make them! It can't be that hard and will be less expensive than buying a pre-made holster/ right? (WRONG!) So, I went to Tandy Leather and got the Will Ghormley's Classic 1911 Patterns 100th Anniversary Pack of patterns. Since this was my first adventure and I only had one small piece of leather on hand, I picked the smallest simplest one, the Bikini-Weeping Heart pattern. Cutting was a breeze with a fresh set of blades, but the observant will note I neglected to flip the pattern over to make it a lefty, woops! So I'll need to go back to Tandy and get another hunk of leather... Anchoring the flap edge w/ barge cement and pounding 1/16" holes was uneventful, though I found that using my bonded #70 upholstery thread left the holes really vacant, hopefully the proper (called of in the instructions) pre-waxed linen thread will fill them up. Add that to the Tandy shopping list for when I have some money again.... Other than that, it's looking pretty sweet. those are my wifes' fingers (and her 1911, verified clear) My youngest daughter declared that since this was a right hand holster it will be hers, for her 1911 (chambered in 22lr). She's only going to be 12 years old in March, so she can't legally carry, but if SHTF that will be the least of our concerns. Guess I need to get some "girly" color leather dye at Tandy while I'm there... I'm discovering that there are quite a few tools I NEED to do this job correctly, and with my limited funds it will take me a while to collect them. Next trip will have to be a few more leather blanks, a diamond awl, stitch groover, stitch marker/wheel, linen thread. If anybody has any decent used basic tool/kit they'd want some PayPal in exchange for, please let me know. I don't have much funds but can swing a few dollars here and there. Edited April 9, 2012 by SandSquid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted April 9, 2012 i want you to PM me. We will discuss further. ferg US Navy Reservist (I am rated as an "IS" but hold secondary NEC's as a "MA" and "IT" as well) been a mobilized for the past 7 years to some of the cruddiest places on the planet (Iraq, Djibouti, Kuwait, Afghanistan, etc.) Just got back from my toughest tour in Afghnistan after a few way-too-close calls, and I'm finally demobilizing and burning down a huge pile of accumulated leave time and trying to get my head straight, or at least functional & socially acceptable, now that I'm back in "polite society". Finding leather working to be a great way to manage stress and regain some sense of "hominess" while trying to learn how to make some holsters for the daily carry weapon(s) for myself and my family... My wife recently totally lucked into a decent job with a daily commute through the crapiest parts of our city.... and finally decided to get her Carry License. She tried LOTS of holster and didn't like any of the hard styles (kydex) and is a lefty so anything would be an order-and-wait and hope she likes it proposition. So I figure I don't have a job, and plenty of time... I can make them! It can't be that hard and will be less expensive than buying a pre-made holster/ right? (WRONG!) So, I went to Tandy Leather and got the Will Ghormley's Classic 1911 Patterns 100th Anniversary Pack of patterns. Since this was my first adventure and I only had one small piece of leather on hand, I picked the smallest simplest one, the Bikini-Weeping Heart pattern. Cutting was a breeze with a fresh set of blades, but the observant will note I neglected to flip the pattern over to make it a lefty, woops! So I'll need to go back to Tandy and get another hunk of leather... Anchoring the flap edge w/ barge cement and pounding 1/16" holes was uneventful, though I found that using my bonded #70 upholstery thread left the holes really vacant, hopefully the proper (called of in the instructions) pre-waxed linen thread will fill them up. Add that to the Tandy shopping list for when I have some money again.... Other than that, it's looking pretty sweet. those are my wifes' fingers (and her 1911, verified clear) My youngest daughter declared that since this was a right hand holster it will be hers, for her 1911 (chambered in 22lr). She's only going to be 12 years old in March, so she can't legally carry, but if SHTF that will be the least of our concerns. Guess I need to get some "girly" color leather dye at Tandy while I'm there... I'm discovering that there are quite a few tools I NEED to do this job correctly, and with my limited funds it will take me a while to collect them. Next trip will have to be a few more leather blanks, a diamond awl, stitch groover, stitch marker/wheel, linen thread. If anybody has any decent used basic tool/kit they'd want some PayPal in exchange for, please let me know. I don't have much funds but can swing a few dollars here and there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted April 12, 2012 Forged ahead and made a few mistakes but it's serviceable. Hopefully it'll snug up a bit tighter when I let it dry on the pistol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted April 12, 2012 I also went ahead and punched out the area that would have born against the magazine release. Didn't want my little pumpkin to drop her magazine and not know it, as this particular model will not fire without the magazine properly seated Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRLeather2 Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Thank you for your service, Semper Fi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Thank you for your service, Semper Fi. oorah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SandSquid Report post Posted April 13, 2012 Didn't tighten up as much as I had hoped but it's serviceable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted April 14, 2012 First and Foremost, welcome home, and thank you for your service! if yo need help with anything, this is the place to get it. Lots of good folks here, willing to help, like Ferg. Glad yo made it home safe, don't hesitate to ask for help, it's least we can do. Semper Fi Bob First and Foremost, welcome home, and thank you for your service! if yo need help with anything, this is the place to get it. Lots of good folks here, willing to help, like Ferg. Glad you made it home safe, don't hesitate to ask for help, it's least we can do. Semper Fi Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elliot Report post Posted April 15, 2012 PM sent. Making the holster the wrong hand now will prevent a latter wrong side in bigger piece of leather. Looks very good for a first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
