akdiesel Report post Posted March 20, 2015 I am wanting to try my hand at crafting my own holsters and belts. I assume some tools will be interchangeable between the two. Is the Tandy deluxe hand stitching set and a beveler enough or too much? Not on a total low budget but I'd like to keep total around or under $100 in tools. I live in Fairbanks, Alaska and we have some long winters so this will give me a project to keep busy with and learn. Also when buying leather how do you estimate need or do you have to buy $200 at a time? Thanks, sorry for beginner questions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted March 20, 2015 (edited) Here is a list of tutorials you may find useful. http://www.jdlawhon.com/tutorial.html http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Holsters/BH01/bh01.html http://www.holsters.org/holster-design.htm WIld Rose Trading Co - Leather Sewing The first one shows a list of basic tools helpful in making a holster. You will need at a minimum, something to cut with a utility knife with sharp blade will work to start with. An over stitch wheel or pricking iron for marking stitch holes, a stitch groover, a diamond awl needles and thread, snap and rivet setter if you will be using snaps and rivets. For belt slots you can get away with a hole punch, punching a hole at the top and bottom of the slot then connecting the holes with cuts from the knife or wood chisel. You will need something to burnish the edges, something as simple as a hardwood dowel with a groove in it. If you are going to use snaps or rivets you will also need a mallet or maul. As to leather to start with I would recommend buying a shoulder or two to practice with before buying a couple hundred dollars worth of leather. Tandy sells shoulders and frequently has them on sale. I don't know what shipping would be but Springfield leather sells leather buy the square foot cut to size you want. You will want veg tanned leather. Any other questions just ask here or PM me. Happy to help if I can. Edited March 20, 2015 by camano ridge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calait Report post Posted March 20, 2015 Just taking a stab here, on leather you will need enough to cover all4 sides of the object to be carried + material for attaching to your belt. Just a guess at my local Tandy leather for 1 holster will range about $40 or so, depending on the thickness you want. The sewing kit from Tandy should cover your sewing needs, if there is not an Awl in the kit my advice is get one, during the sheath calss I took while not using an awl, I broke 3 needles. Also look at the color of thread in the kit, you may want a different color for your holster. Just my two cents. Good Luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted March 20, 2015 Not counting the basic tools etcv. cost for materials to build one holster should not come any where near $40.0O. I make holsters all the time I don't spend anywhere near $40.00 per holster fdor materails and I use mainly Herman Oak leather. Even if you got a shoulder of Herman Oak from springfield leather for around fifty dollars you could make several holsters out of that. The shoulders at Tandy are good enough for some practice holsters. If you are making pancake style holsters you should be able to get four or more depending on size and style. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akdiesel Report post Posted March 20, 2015 Awesome. Thank you guys for the help. I appreciate the links as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calait Report post Posted March 20, 2015 As do I appreciate the links Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted March 20, 2015 Even the 5" 1911 so popular in the sixties only use 2/3 to a foot of leather. Add a steel thumb break stiffener, line 20 or 24 snap, thread, dye, some type of finish, and you're still talking $10 (not 40). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted March 21, 2015 Sorry, did not realize the sewing link did not post right, here it is. http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calait Report post Posted March 21, 2015 Can I ask what Herman Oak leather is, I am guessing it is the method in which the leather is tanned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted March 21, 2015 (edited) That is correct it is a brand Herman Oak and it is Veg tanned with Oak bark. Herman Oak, Wickett and Craig, and Horoween are the big tanneries here in the US. http://www.hermannoakleather.com/ Tandy now sells a limited variety of weights of Herman Oak. Edited March 21, 2015 by camano ridge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calait Report post Posted March 21, 2015 Thanks Camaon, just watched the video. The tandy store near me just calls it veg-tanned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted March 21, 2015 1911 so popular in the sissies Darn auto correct. That should say "popular in the SIXTIES" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calait Report post Posted March 22, 2015 Are you really sure??? Sissies vs Sixties This thread has given some great information, thanks, hopefully I did not lead too far astray. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
