What Rubber Pad And Where To Buy For Shaping Holsters

[Wizcrafts]

Tell me more about the vacuum bag, Dwight.

[Dwight]

Tell me more about the vacuum bag, Dwight.

Vacuum bag 101:

I bought my vacuum pump from Harbor freight, . . . they sell two models, . . . being the cheapster I am, . . . I bought the smaller one, . . . basically $100 a few years back.

I went to JoAnn's fabric and bought some clear vinyl, . . . 30 inch by 45 or 48 (whatever the width is), . . . folded it in the middle, . . . contact cemented the edges for the first 2 inches or so, . . . came up with a bag that basically is about 26 by 22 inside (with the coupon, think it was $10 or so).

Piece of rubber hose from my automotive pile of spare parts.

Quart of Vacuum pump oil from McMaster Carr.

Found the vacuum bag fitting on a website that sells vacuum bags & stuff for people doing wood veneer work. It was about $15 plus p&h.

I wet the cut and sewn (except for the last edge under the trigger guard) holster piece, . . . wrap it around the gun or blue gun, . . . mold it a bit with my fingers just so it knows where it is supposed to be, . . . close up the bag, . . . turn on the pump, . . . let it pull down, . . . then most of the time, turn it off, . . . let the pressure equalize, . . . then hit it again. About 10 to 15 seconds each time is plenty.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Tree Reaper]

The trade off might be in the detail you get from each process.

[Dwight]

The trade off might be in the detail you get from each process.

And there most certainly is a difference.

My first vacuum formed holster was for a 1911 commander out of 6 oz veggie tan. Since I knew the pattern well, it was all sewn up, . . . gun stuck in, . . . vac formed.

I pulled it out to let the holster dry, . . . couple days later went to put the gun in for a trial fit, . . . it was "TIGHT". After I got the gun in the holster, . . . I had serious thoughts about taking a razor knife to get it out, . . . lol.

A little "working" finally got it out, . . . and years later, . . . it is still the tightest holster I own.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Wizcrafts]

I wonder if two 1" rubber sheets will accomplish a similar result to a solid 2" sheet (which doesn't appear to be available)?

Maybe combinations of 30 D and 40 D, with 30 facing the project.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Wizcrafts

[Stitch Dex Holsters]

I have seen you help so many people including me I wanted to help you on my first post.

Here is a link to the foam I use.

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=41_524

I use two one inch pieces on top and a thinner yoga mat on the bottom. It molds the leather well; a vacuum former does a little better job but seems to be more trouble than it’s worth for me. I also use a thin silicone rubber sheet between the gun and foam. This keeps the gun from tearing the foam and when I do Kydex it keeps the heat from the kydex from burning the foam. It really extends the life of everything. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/3560/=r8hh6v

I hope this helps

[Tree Reaper]

You can try a single sheet of 40 top and bottom Wiz to see how it works for you, I'm still using single sheets and they work for me.

Two sheets of the same wouldn't work as well as one thick one.

Did you buy a press with a gauge on it?

[Wizcrafts]

You can try a single sheet of 40 top and bottom Wiz to see how it works for you, I'm still using single sheets and they work for me.

Two sheets of the same wouldn't work as well as one thick one.

Did you buy a press with a gauge on it?

Hopefully, we'll know soon. My partner is having the metal plates made and welded to the frame strut and jack push rod.

The bottle jack is a simple Harbor Freight model without any gauge. It has a two piece round steel handle.

I am not so concerned about damaging our blue guns. But, I am worried about a customer's real pistol under such tough material.

I'm searching for 30 D rubber to place on the holster side, but have only found neoprene thus-far.

The whole shebang will be doubling as a clicker die press.

[Tree Reaper]

I am worried about a customer's real pistol under such tough material.

That's where the gauge is handy, I can tell exactly if I've got 1/2 ton or more on anything I press.

[Wizcrafts]

I have seen you help so many people including me I wanted to help you on my first post.

Here is a link to the foam I use.

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=41_524

I use two one inch pieces on top and a thinner yoga mat on the bottom. It molds the leather well; a vacuum former does a little better job but seems to be more trouble than it’s worth for me. I also use a thin silicone rubber sheet between the gun and foam. This keeps the gun from tearing the foam and when I do Kydex it keeps the heat from the kydex from burning the foam. It really extends the life of everything. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/3560/=r8hh6v

I hope this helps

I just placed an order for two pieces of foam, 12" x 24", from knifekits.com.Thanks for the recommendation. I now have two different types of rubber to use. We are still waiting for the metal work to come back, so the rubber can be tested.