Using A Press To Mold Holsters?

[thor447]

Here's what I made for my Kydex and leather holsters.

[Jeff L]

That'll work... Really liking that metal bench it's sitting on too.

[thor447]

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate it. I used it with great success earlier today to press out the Kydex for this XDs hybrid holster.

Picture quality is quite lacking - cell phone - shaky hands!

The workbench is nothing special - bought at home depot a long time ago. It's been a great bench despite the somewhat negative reviews.

http://www.homedepot...46#.UexLjY2gp8E

Edited July 21, 2013 by thor447

[hestes]

Wow. Those are some neat setups! Thanks for the info and photos!

[Shooter McGavin]

I use the 6 ton Harbor Freight press, 2 pieces of 1/4" plate, and 2 pieces of 1" thick 40A rubber. I dont think it makes my holsters and better or nicer but it does save the thumbs when doing large quantities of holsters as it helps to find all of the lines for you.

[malabar]

Warning!! Newb Question:

Is this an alternative to hand forming a holster with a boning tool? What are the advantages / disadvantages of press forming. Would this work for a flat back holster? I have no experience with leather working unless you count my Boy Scout years, many moons ago.

You can do a flat-backed holster by pressing or vacuum.

This will do the bulk of the forming work. If you want a really fine, detailed look, you still need to hand detail it. But most ofthe work is alrready done.

tk

[charlescrawford]

So which is cheaper up front and down the road shop press set up or vac press. Currently I am using a vac press from roar rocket that you hand pump all the air out. Works ok I would just like more pressure on the bg’s I mold. The other issue is the bags are pretty expensive. They have to custom make bags for me for holsters since their bags are pretty big for holsters. 4 bags are like $400 I think. 

[Dwight]

4 hours ago, charlescrawford said:

So which is cheaper up front and down the road shop press set up or vac press. Currently I am using a vac press from roar rocket that you hand pump all the air out. Works ok I would just like more pressure on the bg’s I mold. The other issue is the bags are pretty expensive. They have to custom make bags for me for holsters since their bags are pretty big for holsters. 4 bags are like $400 I think. 

My setup cost me $99 for the pump, . . . couple bucks for the hose, . . . $10 for the vinyl at Joann's fabric, . . . and $15 for the vacuum nozzle that goes thru the bag.  I've used the same bag now for at least 6 years.

All I did was buy a piece of Joann's  heavy duty clear vinyl, . . . about 24 inches wide, . . . 45 long, . . . contact cemented the edges to make a bag, . . . installed the nozzle, . . . and have never really had any problems.

I gave up the press idea when I started getting so many of the plastic fantastic firearms, . . . figured one of these days the press would collapse the thing, . . . and I would be stuck buying him a new weapon.  Can't happen with a vacuum setup.

This is my vacuum bag, . . . and my sealing setup, . . . I use the little board to keep the back of the holster straight, . . . without it, . . . it all collapses into a ball.

May God bless,

Dwight