Wet Forming Question

[Dave Richardson]

I hope I can ask this question right......When making a pancake style holster, and just assuming its two pieces of leather, would you wet form before you stitch the two pieces together or after the two pieces are stitched together ?

Dave

[Shooter McGavin]

Some do it the former, I myself do the latter. It's really up to the individual.

However, if you have a know good pattern theres no advantage to sewing after wet forming. Also, if youre using a machine, it's going to be hard to get close to the gun profile.

[katsass]

  On 5/4/2012 at 9:37 AM, Dave Richardson said:

I hope I can ask this question right......When making a pancake style holster, and just assuming its two pieces of leather, would you wet form before you stitch the two pieces together or after the two pieces are stitched together ?

Dave

From the old grump; I prefer to cut, dye stitch, then wet mold. I've never been able to get comfortable with trying to mold prior to stitching, but I hand stitch all of my stuff. Mike

[Josh Ashman]

I agree with Shooter in that it's personal preference and I can see where the equipment you have would have a pretty big impact on that. FWIW, I build mine pretty much just like Mike, handsewn in the following order, cut, tool, dye, stitch, mold then finish.

Best regards,

Josh

[Dwight]

I do it both ways, . . . on a pattern that I do a lot, . . . have a lot of familiarity with, . . . wet molding is the last thing before dye and finish.

On a pattern that I have never made or only a couple of times, . . . wet mold first, . . . allow it to dry thoroughly, . . . glue, trim, edge, sew and finish.

Wet molding first generally adds one full day to my production time, so I try to kind of avoid it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Dave Richardson]

Thanks all for the input. So much to learn........

Dave