What Tools Will I Need? Holster Making. Confused?!?

[RoosterShooter]

From the grumpy old guy: I agree with everything that TwinOaks says --- except to add that I'd include a #6 overstitch tool -- NOT one of those multi-wheel gadgets, but a single, good overstitch to mark stitch length, and for a final run over the stitching when done (hence the name - OVER stitch) I'd add a bar of Neutrogena (clear) bar soap. It's a glycerin based soap, used when burnishing edges. Now, in my time I've licked a lot of leather -- I now use a damp sponge to moisten my edges, (doing that I also stopped getting a strange flavor to my beer) then I wet a finger and rub it on the soap, then on the (pre-moistened) edge to be burnished. It makes burnishing those edges soooo much easier. Needles should be no larger than a #0 (I use a #1) HARNESS needles, oh, and add in a chunk of beeswax. Mike

P.S. I don't generally use a stitching pony - except when teaching others to stitch.

That was going to be my next question.

I read where a lot of guys use beeswax, and I have that in abundance. I raise my own bees, and have around 100+ pounds of it lying around that I've accumulated over the past 5 or 6 years. Beeswax is something I DO have plenty of. At one time I sold it at the local Farmer's Market for candlemaking, but it got to be too much of a hassle.

Edited October 1, 2012 by RoosterShooter

[Deliveryboi]

This is an inventory list for Tandy Leather that I have made and am currently working towards. My father owns a boot shop, so I've got access to all I need until I can afford my own.

Item # Tool Price

8170-00 Basic Seven Tool set $40

8170-99 Basic Stamping Set $20

3607-00 Wing Divider $16

3003-00 Mini Punching Set $12

3230-00 Pro Rotary Punch $48

3120-03 Heavy Duty Oblong Punch 3/4" $34.40

3120-04 Heavy Duty Oblong Punch 1" $38.40

8077-04 Keen Edge Beveler size 4 $16

3080-00 Strip and Strap Cutter $20

3081-00 Strap Cutter replacement blades $3.20 5 pack

32401-00 Delux Wood Tool Rack $40

8105-00 Delux Snap-All/Rivet Setter Set $26.40

Prices are accurate according to wholesale price. If you have an Elite account with Tandy Leather you'll get it cheaper, or you'll pay more if you're purchasing retail.

P.S. I make quality holsters with just the tools listed above. Both belt and shoulder rigs.

This photos my personal rig, but I've done some much fancier work as of late.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Deliveryboi

[Curley Fryes]

This is an inventory list for Tandy Leather that I have made and am currently working towards. My father owns a boot shop, so I've got access to all I need until I can afford my own.

Item # Tool Price

8170-00 Basic Seven Tool set $40

8170-99 Basic Stamping Set $20

3607-00 Wing Divider $16

3003-00 Mini Punching Set $12

3230-00 Pro Rotary Punch $48

3120-03 Heavy Duty Oblong Punch 3/4" $34.40

3120-04 Heavy Duty Oblong Punch 1" $38.40

8077-04 Keen Edge Beveler size 4 $16

3080-00 Strip and Strap Cutter $20

3081-00 Strap Cutter replacement blades $3.20 5 pack

32401-00 Delux Wood Tool Rack $40

8105-00 Delux Snap-All/Rivet Setter Set $26.40

Prices are accurate according to wholesale price. If you have an Elite account with Tandy Leather you'll get it cheaper, or you'll pay more if you're purchasing retail.

P.S. I make quality holsters with just the tools listed above. Both belt and shoulder rigs.

This photos my personal rig, but I've done some much fancier work as of late.

Nice work "D". I hope my cowboy rig comes out as good as your rig did.

[Deliveryboi]

Nice work "D". I hope my cowboy rig comes out as good as your rig did.

Thanks Curley, its a very very comfortable setup. I won't be using it much tho, as I made it with latigo. The Chromium Salts used to tan Latigo are hard on the finish of firearms, so I'll only use it until I can make a new one out of Herman Oak from Sheradin. I figure it doesn't matter much to use it right now, as I eventually intend to matte finish my firearm anyway hah.

[St8LineGunsmith]

Sending a PM

you can save some money buying from harbor freight tools for certain types of tools

you can get a good stitching awl from them for cheap

utility knives and shears for cutting patterns and leather

glue for gluing the seams

leather punches.

they have dividers for making the stitch line.

You can also save money by shopping with springfield leather company http://springfieldle.../14/Hand-Tools/

and the tools they sell are high quality

I would invest in a diamond chisel at least four prong and a buck stitching chisel

a 4 in one hole punch

you will want to get a overstitch set for perfect stitch spacing

a stitching groover is not necessiary but sure makes a good looking stitching line.

you can learn how to hand stitch, make buck stitch, loop lacing and double loop lacing as well as other tutorials here https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/infoandservices/Leathercraft-Videos/Leathercraft-Videos.aspx

you can also make your own stitching pony for cheap

I always use a stitching pony I but I don't like the ones tandy sells

I would make a floor model where you can anchor it with your feet at a height you can sit and stitch

A stitching pony makes stitching much easier, frees up both hands because you will need them and makes it easier to hold your work steady and rigid

it also works good for clamping your leather parts together when gluing to keep the punch holes aligned.

edge slickers, burnishers leather creasers are tools you can make.

Edited October 6, 2012 by St8LineGunsmith

[Redrock64]

Find a copy of John Bianchi's "The art & secrets of Advanced Western Holster Making" It was sold by tandy a few years ago but it is still available. Most on this site don't like to admit it, but most have learned from his teachings, just look at there designs they are mostly clones of what He has been creating for decades. The DVD is a value for making western holsters all the way to modern semi-auto holsters. If you are going to learn why not learn from the best, someone who has been very sucessfull. Then take what He teaches and come up with your own design and signature look.