Leather Mold Press*

[crossdraw]

I need some help. I am looking to make a leather molding press for holsters. The wife said to make one. So, I have been roaming the LW net in search of an example and plans. Can anyone help me expedite this effort? Thanks in advance. I know Harbor Freight makes a 6 ton press, but.. the wife.

[camano ridge]

Right now Harbor freight has there 20 ton press on sale $154.00, 12 ton $129.00 However it does not sound like you want to spend the money on them. Are you looking at building one from scratch. If so by the time you buy the correct steel, a 12 or twenty ton jack have welding done or buy bolts and other hardware including springgs, you'll find your self not to far from the harbour freight price.

There is a member on these forums I don't remember if it is Dwight or Denster, one of them made one using lumber and I believe a couple of members have made theirs using his concept. It seemed to have worked fairly well for him until he swithched to vacumm molding. I will see if I can find the thread with the press. Ok it was Dwight. Below is a picture of his press, Fairly easy to build. He swithched to vacumm molding. Vacumm molding will give you better results. and you can get started with vacumm molding for around $100.00. Both Denster and Dwight have threads on their vacumm set up and how to make your own vacumm bags. The nice thing is you can do some of the detail molding through the bag.

Edited June 28, 2014 by camano ridge

[RMB Custom Leather]

Here is an option or make your own below http://www.hdindustrialdesign.com/products/the-hd-press-100

Here is the way to go, I really need to make one myself. I think this guy just sells the rubber membrane and gives you the plans to make the rest. . Here is the website to buy the membrane and get the plans. You tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsEPSrkzHW0

Edited June 28, 2014 by RMB Custom Leather

[crossdraw]

Here is an option or make your own below http://www.hdindustrialdesign.com/products/the-hd-press-100

Here is the way to go, I really need to make one myself. I think this guy just sells the rubber membrane and gives you the plans to make the rest. . Here is the website to buy the membrane and get the plans. You tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsEPSrkzHW0

Not exactly what I had in mind, but thanks.

[RoosterShooter]

I just use a 20 ton shop press with plates made to hold the molding foam in place. I place the molding foam on either side of the wet holster and mold and crank it down until it sandwiches out slightly. I then let it sit for 3 or 4 minutes so that the mold and press can migrate the air pockets out and move on.