dbusarow Report post Posted October 17, 2008 Well, here goes. Displaying my first attempt to the world. I made this holster for my wife's J frame. A special requirement here is that the only pants she ever wears are riding breeches, no belt loops. She has a shoulder holster and hates it. So I decided that the old cowboy style where the gun belt just goes around the outside of your clothes was the way to go. And it works, she loves it. Two questions. Marking the stitch points with an overstitch wheel. First I added a stitch groove and was surprised to find that the overstitch wheel was too wide for the groove, ran the groover around a couple more times. No joy. ended up just lightly running the overstitch wheel around and leaving light marks on the grain and missing a couple near the top of the trigger guard where I just guessed while sewing. So, how is this part of the process supposed to be done? I really expected the wheel to ride inside the groove where I could really bear down and leave good marks. Second, the color. I used Fiebings Pro Oil dye, light brown, dyed before sewing. The color looked great and really smooth when I was done. I was quite proud of that after reading so many posts about blotchy browns! So then I sew it up and go to mold it. The dark spots showed up as soon as the holster started to dry. No problem I think, those spots are just taking longer to dry. 24 hours later they were still there. So I decided to just go ahead and finish off. I hand rubbed olive oil in to finish. As expected everything darkened a little except a couple of areas, by the top cylinder flute and the front sight you can see where the oil didn't penetrate. So I don't know enough to even have a specific question on the dye/finish. Just looking for general advice. Oh, and in my excitement after dyeing I forgot to burnish the flesh side, oh well. Critiques welcome. I think I've learned more from your critiques on other folks attempts than from any howto's I've read. Thanks for all the help I got by reading the posts here before starting this. Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Surveyor Report post Posted October 17, 2008 First, that's a good looking holster you made; and the "client" liking it is even better. I've not had the problem you described with a overstitch wheel and the groover, so I haven't any advice on that situation. The color looks pretty good to me. I believe an extra light coat of dye may have helped. I have some oxblood that I will be playing with on the matching pair of holsters I am planning for my soon to be four year old cowboy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbusarow Report post Posted October 17, 2008 First, that's a good looking holster you made; and the "client" liking it is even better. I've not had the problem you described with a overstitch wheel and the groover, so I haven't any advice on that situation. The color looks pretty good to me. I believe an extra light coat of dye may have helped. I have some oxblood that I will be playing with on the matching pair of holsters I am planning for my soon to be four year old cowboy. Thanks. Wish my dad had been so thoughtful, I think all my holsters were made of something just a notch above cardboard when I was that age Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted October 18, 2008 (edited) Dan, great holster! I really like how the color came out. Good design on hte holster, and you said your wife enjoys it - sounds like its functioning properly; excellent! As for the overstitch wheel, a way to ensure the imprints are good is to dampen the groove all the way around with a dauber or even your finger. Just dip it in the water and smear it over the top. Then immediately run the stitch wheel. Don't be afraid to use a little pressure and go forward and reverse (like you cut a pizza!). Obviously, stay in the groove I normally let the water dry off before I punch the holes after that. I get an excellent impression and stitch line and it really helps form the leather so the thread sets in really nice. I'll get a pic up on a current project to show you what I mean. Edited October 18, 2008 by Shorts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbusarow Report post Posted October 18, 2008 Shorts, Thanks for the suggestion to wet the leather. I had done it dry. I just tried wetting before running both the groover and wheel and it worked great. Not as good as your example yet, but a lot closer to what I expected. Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shorts Report post Posted October 18, 2008 Excellent Dan Glad it worked. Leather can be tricky in regards to taking impressions and whatnot. Different cuts and brands will effect the ease or difficulty of imprinting. Even in the same piece of leather you'll have some spots that are softer and spots that are firmer. As you get more comfortable in the build process you'll see improvements in the results of each step. I think you're off to a mighty fine start! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted October 18, 2008 I love the look and the color you got with that one. It looks really good and good forming also. Now IMO and Ive only done one hoslter myself but I also carry alot and go shooting alot and I must say that retention portion with the loop that goes over the hammer is a bad idea. It just seems that it would be really hard to get over the hammer ecspecially in a stressfull situation (which is any situation that you need it). I think it would hinder pulling the gun. That is the only thing I would change, other then that it looks great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbusarow Report post Posted October 18, 2008 I love the look and the color you got with that one. It looks really good and good forming also. Now IMO and Ive only done one hoslter myself but I also carry alot and go shooting alot and I must say that retention portion with the loop that goes over the hammer is a bad idea. It just seems that it would be really hard to get over the hammer ecspecially in a stressfull situation (which is any situation that you need it). I think it would hinder pulling the gun. That is the only thing I would change, other then that it looks great. Thanks! On the thong retention we'll probably have to agree to disagree. It isn't something I'd use on a concealed carry holster but this is an open carry, horse back rig. The loop keeps the gun in the holster while jumping creeks and logs, but it's weak enough that it will snap if you forgot to release it and just draw the gun. Ask me how I know Actually, for activity more sedate than riding really spirited horses I wouldn't bother with the retention strap at all, the molding is really holding the gun in well. However, next in the production line I'm doing one out of Stohlman's holster book with no molding and for that one I'm going to use a conventional strap and Sam Brown button for retention. Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOOMSTICKHolsters Report post Posted October 19, 2008 Pretty cool hybrid holster, dbusarow. I think the retention loop is appropriate for the holsters intended use. I really like the blend between modern carry holster and western rig. Keep posting pictures of your builds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted October 19, 2008 Good deal, I just throwing my pennies out there. Personally I have a bad habit of trying to over secure things. Still good job on the holster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOOMSTICKHolsters Report post Posted October 19, 2008 Good deal, I just throwing my pennies out there. Personally I have a bad habit of trying to over secure things. Still good job on the holster. It's all good. If there weren't a lot of diverse opinions it wouldn't really be a "forum", would it? I don't claim to know everything about holsters. I normally hate retention devices, but for horseback riding I could definitely see the benefit of the retention loop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyc Report post Posted October 20, 2008 Dan I really like the color and retro look of your holster. Besides retention, I think your hammer thong adds to the look of the holster. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbusarow Report post Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) Pretty cool hybrid holster, dbusarow.I think the retention loop is appropriate for the holsters intended use. I really like the blend between modern carry holster and western rig. Keep posting pictures of your builds. Thanks, I'm planning on a couple of Ranger styles soon. Good deal, I just throwing my pennies out there. Personally I have a bad habit of trying to over secure things. Still good job on the holster. Like Boomstick said, if we all thought the same it would be a pretty boring world. In general I don't like retention straps at all. IMHO, with a pancake or IWB they just aren't needed. But I felt this one needed something, hence the hammer thong. I really like the color and retro look of your holster. Besides retention, I think your hammer thong adds to the look of the holster. This retro stuff may just turn into my style Thanks all. Dan Edited October 20, 2008 by dbusarow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
