Greg528it Report post Posted June 10, 2014 a few mistakes. but nothing too bad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted June 11, 2014 Was that made from a black river lazer (BRL) template? What thickness of leather did you use for both pieces? I have BRL template for their small semi auto, and I'm a newb so I'm asking questions before buying leather so I won't have something useless when I done. I'm retired, so the funds are used sparingly. I plan to put a backing on mine, so how will that affect the thickness of the leather used? I didn't intend to hi-jack this thread but your holster looks a lot like the one I will make, simple and functional. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haystacker Report post Posted June 11, 2014 Cool. How does it feel and draw? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Cent Report post Posted June 11, 2014 Mistake! Wrong hand:). Looks good to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vaalpens Report post Posted June 12, 2014 Good job. The color and stitching came out very good. My only concern would be the stitching by the front sights. Is there enough stitching and glue area to hold the two pieces together in the long run? It looks like it could be a weak point. Maybe somebody with more experience can comment if that area will hold up or maybe separate in the future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg528it Report post Posted June 12, 2014 No pattern. Drew onto paper, tranfered to leather. I draw 2 lines 3" apart. This is the belt line. Place the gun over the 2 lines cant until looks right. Make sure grip is above the top line enough to get all your fingers on it. Trace the outline of the gun. i then add enough room on either side of the gun for the loops. I then make smooth transitions from the angular lines using various circle templates. I then cut this out of the paper. for the back piece, I used some 1/4" thick leather I got at Tandy. I dont know oz sizes very well. 10-12? I cut it to that shape plus 1/4". For the front I used some 7-8? Leather. Only wanting to stretch the front I cut the left side to the shape. I then slid the paper 1" to the right and cut that side. Now the front is longer than the back. I then lay out my stitching lines on each end. I use the pattern with gun profile. I add about 1/4 - 3/8" of set back away from the gun profile. I lined up the left ends. Applied glue under the stitched area. Glued together. Clamped and allowed to dry some. I then stiched the left side. After the left side was stitched I then lined up the right side ends. This will cause a loop or bubble in the top layer, where the gun resides. I glue under the stitched area, clamp it while the glue has time to set up and dry. I then stitch the right side. Now i have the basic outline of the holster and its wanting to bend the back piece 10-12 some. I wrap the gun in plastic wrap, wet the front leather 7-8, and then force the gun into position. The front leather will stretch, the back remain pretty flat. I bone and shape the leather as I wish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg528it Report post Posted June 12, 2014 I then allow the leather to dry at room temp. I then trim the excess leather off. Bevel the edges. Burnish. Cut the loops. Because the front leather is shaped around the gun, the stress at the stitched line is less. Its only holding the front to the back. But a second line of stitching would not hurt any. It is formed to the gun well. It retains well, with just a modicome of drag coming out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks Greg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites