Pressing Down Stitching

[SooperJake]

Do any of you wet and then press down your stitching after machine sewing a holster?

I saw it done on the Bianchi DVD set.

Jake

[IngleGunLeather]

Do any of you wet and then press down your stitching after machine sewing a holster?

I saw it done on the Bianchi DVD set.

Jake

I do Jake. A light spray and then I use a plastic bone folder to clean up machine marks. Sometimes a hammer finds its way in there too.

Edited September 7, 2012 by CountryTrash

[Denster]

I case both sides of the stitchline put the front on my granite slab and tap the back with a coblers hammer. Closes the stitches and does a good job of erasing machine marks.

[particle]

I do the same as Denster - but I hammer mine closed right after I dunk the holster in water for forming so the leather is nice and wet. I dunk it, punch the belt slots, edge the belt slots, then hammer everything flat.

[renegadelizard]

I do the same as Denster - but I hammer mine closed right after I dunk the holster in water for forming so the leather is nice and wet. I dunk it, punch the belt slots, edge the belt slots, then hammer everything flat.

Hey Eric, Is there any specific reason you cut the slots while the leather is wet?...I used to do that and it seems i got alot of distortion when i tried it that way...Ive seen your holsters and you dont have any distortion, what is your trick?...

Edited September 7, 2012 by renegadelizard

[particle]

Well, I punch when wet because my slot punches suck. The shoulders are so thick that the leather was splitting at the ends of the slot if I punched when it was dry. I tried wetting the leather and found it punched a million times easier, and the splitting went away as well.

[renegadelizard]

Well, I punch when wet because my slot punches suck. The shoulders are so thick that the leather was splitting at the ends of the slot if I punched when it was dry. I tried wetting the leather and found it punched a million times easier, and the splitting went away as well.

I havent had any splitting, but it sure does push and twist the leather like sheetmetal in a car wreck...Im using the cs osbourne and the slit i think is too narrow to begin with, especially punching through 16-18 ounce leather...i have a buddy making me a new slot cutter..1/16 inch walls, 1/2 tall..beveled on the outside to sharpen...5/16 X 1 1/2......im pretty anxious to try it out as i have stopped using the osbourne and went back to the old punch and chisle method..

[renegadelizard]

Well, I punch when wet because my slot punches suck. The shoulders are so thick that the leather was splitting at the ends of the slot if I punched when it was dry. I tried wetting the leather and found it punched a million times easier, and the splitting went away as well.

Oh yeah, one more question for you...i try to edge my belt slots...have you/do you do this?...any pros/cons you can think of? Well, two more things I guess...how is the Cobra doing with the mod?...mine should be here any time now...

[particle]

I don't edge the top side, but I do edge the back side since the corners are much sharper than you get on the top side (since the punch basically bevels the top, making it hard to edge). I think the con to not edging is the sharp edge will probably get dinged up more quickly, making the slots look bad on the back. I'm loving the Cobra - It's unfortunate a bunch of them shipped without the mod (only Steve has any idea how many), but very glad Steve was able to find a solution that is so easy to apply. It's a great machine!

[renegadelizard]

I don't edge the top side, but I do edge the back side since the corners are much sharper than you get on the top side (since the punch basically bevels the top, making it hard to edge). I think the con to not edging is the sharp edge will probably get dinged up more quickly, making the slots look bad on the back. I'm loving the Cobra - It's unfortunate a bunch of them shipped without the mod (only Steve has any idea how many), but very glad Steve was able to find a solution that is so easy to apply. It's a great machine!

i think im gonna have to start trying your method there of just doing the backs...im pretty excited..ive hand sewn 7 holsters since i ordered it, and everytime i stick myself i get this dreamy look in my eyes...thinking of the day its at an end...ive got 5 more lined up that cant wait on the machine...