Stiffening Leather

[Red Cent]

I have never baked a holster. Not even in the sun. But I may have to now.

Would someone note the specifics. I realize I should not boil the leather. And 30 minutes at 500 degrees might not work. Aside from those.................................

[Denster]

You just need some moisture in the leather, not a lot, what remains after molding is sufficient. Heat at about 130 Deg F for at least 20 minutes. I generally leave for an hour or more. This will release collagens in the leather, essentially liquid hide glue, that will glue the fibers in place and stiffen the holster nicely.

[camano ridge]

Red. My kitchen oven goes down to 170 degrees, I set it at 170 and put the holster in for about 10 - 15 minutes. 30 minutes at 500 should give you something akin to a dried prune and about the same color.

[Red Cent]

Yeah, I figured as much with the prune.

OK, guys going to go set the oven. Thank you.

[Dwight]

A couple of 100 watt light bulbs with a line control thermostat set at 130 degrees, . . . in a large cardboard box should do the trick.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Red Cent]

Thanks everybody. But....I thought as I was turning the oven on.

I make the cowboy holsters with 2 pieces of leather. They are Weldwooded. Do I have to worry about runny glue much less the holsters coming apart?

[Dwight]

The one word answer is "NO".

In fact, . . . in the last few years, . . . virtually all of my weldwood stuff gets a "hot foot" treatment, . . . i dry the weldwood with a heat gun in about 10% of the time it used to take waiting for it to air dry. AND, . . . it may all be in my mind, . . . but it seems to stick better.

Belts, holsters, mag carriers, purses, wallets, . . . all get the same treatment, . . . and it works for me.

Putting the holster in an oven will not do anything but make it harder, . . . quicker.

Unless, of course, . . . you put it in a microwave for 45 seconds, . . . and you really don't want to know how I am absolutely certain that one should never do that (a line from the short movie "Younger and Dumber").

May God bless,

Dwight

[camano ridge]

Red, I agree with Dwight all of my holsters are double layer they are all glued and stitched then baked. Never had any problem with them.

[katsass]

FWIW from the old grumpy guy; I'll agree with Dwight on all that he has said. One other thing not mentioned is what I actually use most all of the time. Old Ma Nature's smile, starting about this time of the year. Of course I live in a desert area but most places I've been will also work just as well. If you have one of those handy-dandy laser pointing thermometers, (Harbor Freight type of thing) measure the temp on the driveway, concrete walkway or the natural dirt surface around your abode. Even this time of year (we've only hit 90 once so far) you'll be surprised at the surface temps reached. With it in the 80's, the surface of the sand or gravel will easily hit 150, concrete will usually be a bit cooler. Just sit your masterpiece on a small box or something of the sort slightly above the dirty surface, and let Ma Nature do her thing. Turn it over once in a while. Mike

Edited May 18, 2014 by katsass

[Itch]

I use a liquid leather stiffiner and set the product out in the Sun.. Once it dries it is almost as hard as Kydex..