SooperJake Report post Posted August 20, 2013 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vaalpens Report post Posted August 20, 2013 What beautiful work. Everything just looks like it fits, from the design to the finish. Can you tell me what you use to make the stitching holes and also what finish did you put on the outside of the holster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SooperJake Report post Posted August 20, 2013 (edited) What beautiful work. Everything just looks like it fits, from the design to the finish. Can you tell me what you use to make the stitching holes and also what finish did you put on the outside of the holster. Thanks for the compliments. It was stitched on a Cowboy CB4500 with 277 thread (top and bottom) and a #25 needle. The finish is Angelus 620 (matte) cut about 50% with water and shot from an airbrush. 3 coats. I let it cure for almost a week (was humid at the time) and then I used Renaissance wax polish on the top. Sometimes the Angelus stays kind of tacky, and the wax takes care of that, without leaving fingerprints or excess shine. Come to think of it, I think I used 600 on the slot holster and the mag carrier with the bullfrog band at the top. Either way I cut them with distilled water for use in the airbrush. One thing I have noticed with airbrushing is it tends to lay the finish on in such a way as to reflect less light e.g. it doesn't really lay on as smoothly as you might think. Could just be the quirks of my gun. Anyway, I like finishes with medium to satin sheen best. Edited August 20, 2013 by SooperJake Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vaalpens Report post Posted August 20, 2013 Thanks for the compliments. It was stitched on a Cowboy CB4500 with 277 thread (top and bottom) and a #25 needle. The finish is Angelus 620 (matte) cut about 50% with water and shot from an airbrush. 3 coats. I let it cure for almost a week (was humid at the time) and then I used Renaissance wax polish on the top. Sometimes the Angelus stays kind of tacky, and the wax takes care of that, without leaving fingerprints or excess shine. Come to think of it, I think I used 600 on the slot holster and the mag carrier with the bullfrog band at the top. Either way I cut them with distilled water for use in the airbrush. One thing I have noticed with airbrushing is it tends to lay the finish on in such a way as to reflect less light e.g. it doesn't really lay on as smoothly as you might think. Could just be the quirks of my gun. Anyway, I like finishes with medium to satin sheen best. Thank for the detailed information. It just shows my ignorance being new to leather work. I thought the stitching was done by hand. Finishing leather is something I still need to learn to do and I do appreciate the how-to information you provided. At this time I only finish my leather with some clear kiwi polish, but I need to expand and start experimenting with different finishes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SooperJake Report post Posted August 21, 2013 This is a hand sewn one from back when I was first learning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted August 21, 2013 Now that's some good looking work. Just goes to show the old adage, . . . practice makes perfect. Are you doing any good with your "business plan" now that Wisconsin came around to being a concealed carry state? May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vaalpens Report post Posted August 21, 2013 This is a hand sewn one from back when I was first learning. Thanks for sharing some of your original work. When you did hand sewing, what did you find was the best way to get to the even spaced stitching. At the moment I am just using the overstitcher tool and the drilling the holes. The makes the front side evenly spaced but the back is not always evenly spaced. A also like the natural look on the original piece. Is that just from some oil left in the sun for a while or did you actually stain it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SooperJake Report post Posted August 21, 2013 Now that's some good looking work. Just goes to show the old adage, . . . practice makes perfect. Are you doing any good with your "business plan" now that Wisconsin came around to being a concealed carry state? May God bless, Dwight Thanks, Dwight. I've had the website up since April but no sales. Now I've got 2 Facebook pages and I'm looking at some Forum advertising. I'm also going to go around to the police stations, and get hold of some of the CCW trainers in the area. Try some kind of promotion to get my name out there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SooperJake Report post Posted August 21, 2013 Thanks for sharing some of your original work. When you did hand sewing, what did you find was the best way to get to the even spaced stitching. At the moment I am just using the overstitcher tool and the drilling the holes. The makes the front side evenly spaced but the back is not always evenly spaced. A also like the natural look on the original piece. Is that just from some oil left in the sun for a while or did you actually stain it. I used a stitching chisel, believe it or not. I have a 4 prong and a 2 prong but I bought 2 four pongs and sawed the outside two teeth off of one The spacing where much more exact that way. I also stoned and polished them to both sharpen and reduce the size. The holes close up just about as good as a regular awl. I really sucked at using the wiz wheel/awl method. I kept missing the groove in the back, which looks much worse than no groove at all. Just like machine sewing. By the way, if you are using an awl, a wine cork on the back side of the holster will really save your fingers.. Plus, no more stabbing my fingers. : ) If you go the chisel route, dip them in wax for ever punch, and make sure you keep them perpendicular to the surface. Also, watch them you don't bend any teeth. Thinning them from sharpening they want to bend easily. Tap, tap, tap. Not WHACK. Make sure your thread is properly waxed. Some of the guys here in the forum are WAY better at hand stitching than I am. And they are happy to offer advice. Take it. Many decades produces mastery. I got impatient and bought a stitcher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vaalpens Report post Posted August 21, 2013 (edited) Thanks, Dwight. I've had the website up since April but no sales. Now I've got 2 Facebook pages and I'm looking at some Forum advertising. I'm also going to go around to the police stations, and get hold of some of the CCW trainers in the area. Try some kind of promotion to get my name out there. Gun forums are always a good place to showcase your holsters. Maybe a small discount will entice some of the member to order a holster and then word of mouth will help in promoting your product. I participate on two SIG forums and the members are always looking for the best fitting and looking holster. The forums are: http://sigtalk.com/forums.php and http://sigforum.com/eve/forums Good luck with your new business. Edited August 21, 2013 by vaalpens Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
