Members rundogdave Posted September 28, 2013 Author Members Report Posted September 28, 2013 MStarmer, I believe I formed it with the safety off, but I really can't remember. Never thought about it, to be honest. I suppose it should be formed with the safety on, as one would carry it. Is the reinforcement piece for looks or function? What did you use to die the one pictured? Quote I am what I am, but I ain't what I used to be.
Members MStarmer Posted September 28, 2013 Members Report Posted September 28, 2013 The piece is both form and function. I like the way it looks mostly, it's dyed with Fiebings Pro Oil Mahogony, then neatsfoot oil, 50/50 resolene. Quote
Contributing Member SooperJake Posted September 28, 2013 Contributing Member Report Posted September 28, 2013 One thing I found when working out my patterns is to get the trigger guard-side-lines down pat first. Tightness can be adjusted by tweaking a straight line on the slide side. One way to get the line on the trigger guard side is to glue scraps together, cut the holster mouth shape at the top, mold, dry, then stitch around the mold with an unthreaded machine. You could also poke holes with your awl. Tear this apart and their will be the stitch line on the top half. This might seem like extra work but it has reduced my waste and time tweaking the stitch lines. It used to take me 3 tries or more to tweak the lines before I tried this method. The line along the gun and the line that actually molds in the leather don't always reflect a mirror image, since you are working in 3 planes at once. Pay close attention to what Katsass and the other seasoned veterans are telling you. That is wisdom you don't find in books. Quote Once you know what the magician know.... it isn't magic anymore.
Members MStarmer Posted September 28, 2013 Members Report Posted September 28, 2013 SooperJake, Sometimes the simplest of ideas is the smartest. I've been trying to get my stitch lines by making holsters out of sheet foam and then modifying my template. I don't know why I think to just use a few scraps... Quote
Contributing Member SooperJake Posted September 29, 2013 Contributing Member Report Posted September 29, 2013 SooperJake, Sometimes the simplest of ideas is the smartest. I've been trying to get my stitch lines by making holsters out of sheet foam and then modifying my template. I don't know why I think to just use a few scraps... yes, it was one of those head smacking moments. I forgot to mention rewetting and flattening out the front after the stitch holes are in, then transfer all to paper once the flattened piece dries. If you make a flat back holster you can mold with one side open and then stitch it closed after. My success with this method has been mixed. I know Dwight does this method, and a few others. Quote Once you know what the magician know.... it isn't magic anymore.
Members rundogdave Posted September 30, 2013 Author Members Report Posted September 30, 2013 One thing I found when working out my patterns is to get the trigger guard-side-lines down pat first. Tightness can be adjusted by tweaking a straight line on the slide side. One way to get the line on the trigger guard side is to glue scraps together, cut the holster mouth shape at the top, mold, dry, then stitch around the mold with an unthreaded machine. You could also poke holes with your awl. Tear this apart and their will be the stitch line on the top half. This might seem like extra work but it has reduced my waste and time tweaking the stitch lines. It used to take me 3 tries or more to tweak the lines before I tried this method. The line along the gun and the line that actually molds in the leather don't always reflect a mirror image, since you are working in 3 planes at once. Pay close attention to what Katsass and the other seasoned veterans are telling you. That is wisdom you don't find in books. Can you go in to more detail on this? My little pea brain can't picture what you are explaining. Maybe a drawing or photo? Quote I am what I am, but I ain't what I used to be.
Contributing Member SooperJake Posted October 1, 2013 Contributing Member Report Posted October 1, 2013 I'll put together a step by step in pictures later this week for you. Quote Once you know what the magician know.... it isn't magic anymore.
Members rundogdave Posted October 1, 2013 Author Members Report Posted October 1, 2013 I'll put together a step by step in pictures later this week for you. Thanks! I look forward to it. Quote I am what I am, but I ain't what I used to be.
Members katsass Posted October 1, 2013 Members Report Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) OK Dave, you seem to have received a pot load of instructions, guidance, ideas etc. from a bunch of knowledgeable craftsmen. but no one has mentioned the reason for a close line at the front of the trigger guard. The fact is that on a holster for an auto pistol the stitch line at the front of the trigger guard IS THE SOLE LIMITING FACTOR that setts the depth that your shooter will sit in the leather. That stitch line, in front of the trigger guard is critical, Many make the mistake of using the rule of "1/2 the width of the gun plus the thickness of the leather" for the distance around that whole lower side of their holster pattern --- it don't work. That portion at the front of the trigger guard must be brought in closer to the it, or the gun will slip deeper into the holster than you wish. Being an articulate old fart, this statement is most likely clear as mud, but just look at the stitching in the first pic of your holster. Just extrapolating distances, I'd say that over time, your shooter will slip down in the rig about another 1/2". Does that make sense now, looking at where the stitching is? Lots of things to think about when designing a holster - and then you get in a hurry. I always (sometimes) draw up my design, then let 'er sit for a day or two and take a fresh look at it then. Usually there is a little tweaking to do. As a sideline, on a holster for a wheel gun, the limiting point can be the front of the trigger guard, or the front of the frame. It's one, tother, or both. On an auto pistol -- it's ALWAYS the front of the trigger guard. Hope this helps. Mike Edited October 1, 2013 by katsass Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Contributing Member SooperJake Posted October 5, 2013 Contributing Member Report Posted October 5, 2013 Can you go in to more detail on this? My little pea brain can't picture what you are explaining. Maybe a drawing or photo? Making the reply its own topic. Quote Once you know what the magician know.... it isn't magic anymore.
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