How Long To Make A Holster..start To Finish

[St8LineGunsmith]

I have found the best thing in the world for edge coatting without using wax and makes the edges slicker than owl shit and requires very little burnishing and is great for finishing of the whole project. I even use it for background inlay, truly an all purpose finish IMO

you have to try the eco flo antiquing gel I use it religiously then apply a WBPU for a protective top coat

FYI the ECO FLO Super Sheen is basically the same thing as Min wax Polycrylic that you can pick up a whole quart can at Walmart for the same price as a four OZ bottle of super sheen from Tandy..

Just thought some of you might like to know.

[St8LineGunsmith]

I made this set yesterday from scratch. Dying leather, cutting, sewing (machine), shaping, polishing, taking photos, eating and drinking coffe in the meantime... so all of it... started 9:15 and finished around 15:00... did some smaller things along the way... 250$... considering it was monday I think that's ok

edit:

it's for a smith&wesson 686, 4 inch, 357 magnum revolver, little pouch holds 6 bullets and the leather belt is 2 ply of premium vege tanned leather (same as the holster and the pouch), solid brass buckle and screws, waxed thread and what not...

The whole rig is Very nice I especially like the paddle holster and the bullet holder.

[silkfatblues]

Nice rig!

The whole rig is Very nice I especially like the paddle holster and the bullet holder.

Thanx guys! more stuff soon... and about the speed, today I only managed to make 2 tooled belts, basket weave style, so, I guess it has something to do with moisture, pressure and other meteorocozmic stuff )

[SooperJake]

I guess I didn't really mention it in my previous post, but I have also been following my edge dye with a wax/burnish. I usually just use paraffin though. This is my basic process:

1. Dampen and edge
   
2. Sand the edge with 220 grit sandpaper
   
3. Rub the edge with my burnishing stick
   
4. Let the edge dry, then dye with a dauber - Or, if I don't have time to let the edge dry, I'll dye the edge with my black sharpie
   
5. Dampen the edge, then rub paraffin over the edge
   
6. Burnish with my burnishing stick
   
7. Buff the edge with canvas cloth
   
8. Check the edge and re-dye if necessary, then re-wax and burnish/buff again
   

I haven't had any problems with the dye transfer since I've been using this process, but I also stopped using Barges cement - I'm now using a water-based contact cement.

Give this a whorl on some scrap, Eric: sand, dye, burnish with canvas or a piece of scrap leather gran-side. I burnish now with canvas wrapped on a rod of steel on a buffing machine, but it works by hand too.

A wet dyed edge burnishes almost effortlessly on good leather. Worth a try.

[leatherworm]

This entire listing is a very good read and thanks for the Min wax Polycrylic tip. That holster rig not only has a nice look, I can see practicality all over, good leather should be put to good use. One process I use for some controled but fast drying is a Hair-Dryer. Thanks.

Edited March 17, 2013 by leatherworm

[SooperJake]

This entire listing is a very good read and thanks for the Min wax Polycrylic tip. That holster rig not only has a nice look, I can see practicality all over, good leather should be put to good use. One process I use for some controled but fast drying is a Hair-Dryer. Thanks.

I am using a NuWave Oven. The low setting is 106° F

Another woodworking finish that wroks, and sprays nicely is General Finishes Exterior 450, which I use on some archery stuff. I cut it 10% with water. So far no delamination or crazing.

[sifuleatherworks]

I made this set yesterday from scratch. Dying leather, cutting, sewing (machine), shaping, polishing, taking photos, eating and drinking coffe in the meantime... so all of it... started 9:15 and finished around 15:00... did some smaller things along the way... 250$... considering it was monday I think that's ok

edit:

it's for a smith&wesson 686, 4 inch, 357 magnum revolver, little pouch holds 6 bullets and the leather belt is 2 ply of premium vege tanned leather (same as the holster and the pouch), solid brass buckle and screws, waxed thread and what not...

Beautiful set up! What color/brand of dye did you use? As well as what finish? Thanks in advance!!

[silkfatblues]

Beautiful set up! What color/brand of dye did you use? As well as what finish? Thanks in advance!!

thanx man!! For the edges I use Costabril, Omac, Kenda and other italian brands, depending on what I find on the market at the time...

for the leather surface I use the same brands... for the polish I found this water based thing that I'll check the name..

cheers!

Silk.