How To Vac Form A Holster

[Dwight]

I've been asked a few times how I do the vac forming.

Here is the process: pretty simple one too.

Harbor freight vac pump.

2/3 of a yard of .015 thick clear vinyl, from JoAnn fabric: (it's about 45 inches long) contact cement a 2 inch strip down each long edge, . . . when you fold it over in the center, . . . the cement makes it turn into about a 24 by 24 bag, . . . plenty big enough for holsters.

Bag fitting from http://www.veneersup...m-Assembly.html

2 feet of rubber hose

couple pieces of pvc or two slats and a clamp to hold the bag closed

Put it all together, . . . have fun.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited March 29, 2013 by Dwight

[stingray4540]

Nice!

Do you hold it at vacuum for a certain amount of time, like until the leather dries? Or just vac it and release? If the former, does the vac pump run the whole time, or do you pump air out and turn it off and it holds the vacuum?

[Dwight]

Generally, . . . form it and quit. Open the bag, . . . ease out the mold, . . . hang up to dry.

Sometimes (today was one) I had to leave it in for about 60 seconds straight, . . . as the holster is made of multiple layers of leather (not the one in the pics). It usually forms up on about 10 to 15 seconds, . . .

My buddy uses this same process for wood forming, . . . has a vac guage/switch/thingamabob that turns his pump on and off, . . . and i thought of getting one, . . . just so far, . . . haven't needed much more than a really good full 1 minute.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Alamo]

Very interesting technique. I can see how this can simplify the process quite a bit.

[billymac814]

Cool, how long does it take from start to finish to form a holster? It seems like it would be a bit slow compared to a press though I can see some major advantages as well. I wouldn't mind having this set up to use on certain things, like when I'm using a real gun but keep the press for my regular production.

I've seen some that have some type of frame around them, would that be quicker than the bag type setup?

Back when I first started I tried one of those vacuum bags that you use with a shop vac but it really didn't help much , I'm sure this way with the motor would be much better.