mikesherman Report post Posted July 6, 2017 (edited) This is the first project I've posted about...Tandy Bullseye holster kit for a 6 inch S&W 686...I've created several rejects trying to make my own pattern for this one, so I thought I'd try a different route. I'm hoping that through finishing a pre-cut pattern I'll see how things come together so I can move forward with my own holster patterns. Any advice will be appreciated... Below pic shows beveling and bordering done...stamping tri-weave tonight, and then wet molding tomorrow. I have read quite a bit about this process and decided to go the tooling then forming route to see how it works out. Also, if anyone can give me tips/best practices about posts, posting pics, etc., I'd really appreciate it...thank you! Edited July 6, 2017 by mikesherman Add info Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
immiketoo Report post Posted July 6, 2017 Looks like you're on the right track. Best teacher is experience at this point. Nice beveling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CTaylorJr Report post Posted July 6, 2017 Looks like you cased the leather well and got some nice and even impressions. When you do the tri-weave, you'll more than likely need to blend in at the bevel line again on the inside border. Looking forward to the rest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted July 6, 2017 12 hours ago, mikesherman said: I've created several rejects trying to make my own pattern for this one,... see how things come together so I can move forward with my own holster patterns. Below pic shows beveling and bordering done...stamping tri-weave tonight, and then wet molding tomorrow. I have read quite a bit about this process and decided to go the tooling then forming route to see how it works out. Also, if anyone can give me tips/best practices about posts, posting pics, etc., I'd really appreciate it...thank you! Well, I can certainly say I've created more rejects than you. Wait... I mean....uhhhh... As a rule, leather should be done - start to finish - without wetting and re-wetting. But in the case you have here, I would think you're fine, since you don't need to "go back over" where you've been. Still, I would recommend doing your stamping with the moisture you need for proper stamping, and then go on form it -- without allowing it to dry out again and then wetting again. For this type of rig, the moisture in the leather for stamping is enough to do the forming also. Maybe take 3-4 short bits of thread, and tie it shut (through a few of the holes) overnight and let it dry that way. Then just put on a finish (if you are going to) tomorrow. Lookin good so far! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesherman Report post Posted July 7, 2017 (edited) Thanks for comments all...I appreciate it. Below pic is with tri-weave completed, after which I went back and touched up the bevels. Aside from the obvious stamping errors, especially around the snap, I'm feeling pretty good at this point...the tri-weave is a tough one to figure out, and I forgot to tape the back of the piece to minimize distortion. I'm guessing that won't really be an issue, since I'll be 'distorting' it intentionally. Then, gun in holster, in walmart vacuum bag. We'll see how it turns out...no doubt some loss of definition will occur, but it's looking good so far. After an hour, I pulled everything out of the bag and did some shaping with a bone folder at the open end. Here again I'm feeling pretty good about the results. It's looking pretty good and I like the shape and the results of the vacuum bag process. It's not dry yet, but even the stamping still looks reasonable crisp Also, I'm still trying to figure out what size to make my images...I'll post again when the holster is dry, and maybe I'll get it right then. By the way, is it a terrible idea to touch up the tooling after the holster has dried some? Maybe just recover some definition? Thanks for reading! Edited July 7, 2017 by mikesherman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sofaspud Report post Posted July 7, 2017 Looks really good. I love the tri-weave stamps, but I struggle with keeping it even. You have done a nice job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesherman Report post Posted July 7, 2017 (edited) Okay...on my way to work but I just wanted to post pics of the dry, unretouched holster...the molding process itself went well, but the stamping leaves a lot to be desired... Edited July 7, 2017 by mikesherman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZNightwolf Report post Posted July 7, 2017 I think once you dye it (if you plan to dye it) the tooling will pop and you'll be happier about it. I think it looks great. I'm really new at this but I would think trying to re-tool would be a mistake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted July 8, 2017 Would an antique style stain help pop the tooling visually? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sofaspud Report post Posted July 8, 2017 Yes, I almost recommended that earlier. Depending on the look you're going for you can either use antique directly on the leather, dye a lighter color, use a resist like Resolene or Clear Lac and then a darker antique, or you could use resist over the undyed leather and then antique. Play with some scraps and see what you like best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesherman Report post Posted July 9, 2017 (edited) Thanks all for the comments and suggestions. As for the antiquing that was the plan...I went with that and it worked out all right. My skills when it comes to dyeing/coloring are pretty weak, so it doesn't look great, but I'm working on it. And Eco Flo isn't the greatest; I guess my next challenge is to research and practice finishing and to find some better quality products...hard to do in California. I decided to do some very light touch up of the stamping, and I'm more or less happy with the results. I'm starting another holster project today, and I'll give it a try with molding first and tooling after, just to see how it comes out...I can always start over... I've never done triple loop lacing before, so it came out a bit rough. But, I liked doing it, so it's all good. And I'm still trying to figure out how to handle images in my post...I don't want them to be huge inline, but I'm not sure how to display smaller sizes that can be enlarged... As always, comments and critique are welcomed...I really want to improve my skills...lots of gifts to be made, and I want them to be good! Edited July 9, 2017 by mikesherman changed image size Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goody2shoes Report post Posted July 9, 2017 That's lovely, wish I could do tooling Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sofaspud Report post Posted July 10, 2017 Good job. The antiquing really brought out the tooling. Your lacing looks good. If it's available in California I recommend Fiebing antique paste. I definitely prefer it to Eco Flo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
