TexasCHLforum.com

Two great forums for learning leather work are:
http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/
And the "Holsters and Belts" sub-forum at http://www.pistolsmith.com/

Bulldawg wrote:I've made a few for myself. Click here for pics.

I always get a ton of questions when I make one, so I wrote up a little DIY tutorial.

Great tutorial. I started on one last night......won't be as nice as your samples, but will do the job. I wanted it lined and wanted a larger sweat shield where the beavertail pokes me. Worked out great. I will post photos as time permits. Not sure how to do all the photo shipping hassle....will have to get one of my sons to ship it out to my web site. Thanks again.

I've been following this thread and I am very interested in trying to make my own holsters. I'd really like to try one though before I go out and spend so much money on all the tools. Does anyone happen to have any used tools that they are interested in getting rid of? I think from what I read that I'd need an overstitcher, an adjustable stitching groover, a freehand stitching groover, and an edge beveler. If so send me a PM with what you have and the price and I'll let you know.

RiverRat ~ any update on your first attempt? Any Pics??

You really don't need all that equipment. All you really need is a scissors or razor to cut the leather, a drill with a small drill bit to punch holes and a stitching awl. You can work wet leather to form it with a spoon. You probably already have the scissors or razor, the drill and the spoon. So all you really need is the awl. Your product won't look that professional but it give you an idea if you enjoy working with leather. If you enjoy it, then buy the tools from Tandy. They aren't that expensive.

Speaking from experience, leatherwork is 100 times more enjoyable with the proper tools. making do with what you have around the house usually causes nothing but frustration. Just my opinion. (for what its worth)

Nighthawk wrote:I've been following this thread and I am very interested in trying to make my own holsters. I'd really like to try one though before I go out and spend so much money on all the tools. Does anyone happen to have any used tools that they are interested in getting rid of? I think from what I read that I'd need an overstitcher, an adjustable stitching groover, a freehand stitching groover, and an edge beveler. If so send me a PM with what you have and the price and I'll let you know.

RiverRat ~ any update on your first attempt? Any Pics??

Holster #1 for 3" Colt unfinished


Holster #1 for 3" Colt unfinished


Holster #1 for 3" Colt finished with later lacing and mods.


Holster #2 for 3.5" Springer unfinished


Holster #1 and #2 for 3" Colt and 3.5" Springer unfinished


The 3.5" on the right is unfinished....still needs sealing and polishing...the dye wicked through so was thinking about dying the suede black....both holsters are 4 layers thick. Two layers are tooling leather and two inside layers are suede lining.

The 3" uses 9oz (thick) leather with thick suede....The 3.5" is 6oz leather and thick suede....I have started two other using different liner suede thickness (thin).

The only tools were my "old timer" pocket knife, a stitch groover, a sewing awl, and a dremmel tool with sanding drum and drill bit. I tried tooling stamps, but the molding took it all out.

Speaking from experience, I really prefer drilling in holes to punching them in. However, I don't get as neat a stitching with my drill as I do with punches. I also would prefer to use a boning tool to a spoon to work the leather, but a spoon will work in a pinch.

For something a bit different -- a guy over at mp-pistol.com did a thread on how to home-make Kydex holster. The link I saved doesn't work anymore, but it may still be there if you search on "Make your own Kydex Holster (picture intensive)". I didn't want to go to the trouble of registering so I could use the search function, but if you are interested go check it out. I saved off the info someplace, so if you don't find it, pm me and I'll look it up from where ever I stashed it...

Update - the kydex post is now at http://mp-pistol.com/boards/index.php?s ... c=6057&hl=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;\Make%20your%20own%20Kydex%20Holster\&st=0

Wow! A very informative thread! I believe I'm going to give it a shot and try my hand at making my own holster. Some of my current favorites could really benefit from a body shield (in fact I've already altered my High Noon Bare Asset) and other mods.
This could be the beginning of a cool new hobby!

A quick word on the liner.

Be sure the liner leather used is not of the chrome-tanned persuasion. The chemicals used in that process is harmful to firearms, especially blued. Stick with a veg tanned liner. It is safe for finishes and will mold nicely to the gun.


For tools, you can get the Al Stohlman starter kit for about $30 @ Tandy. Includes all necessary tools, instruction book, & thread. The things you need to supply is leather, glue, dye/finish and a blade.


I prefer using an awl punch and saddle stitch. A diamond shaped hole will lay the stitches nicely and allow the leather to close back over the thread in each corner for a secure, strong stitch. Aesthetics are tight as well.

Hard to tell by the photos, but these came out really nice (still not finished). There are lots of differences in types of leather.....These are for my lightweight Champion Operator which I've not been able to find holsters in leather for because of the light rail.



I dyed them in corovan. I'll get better pics when finished. I doubt I'll ever be a carving artist.

Next kydex.

Shorts wrote:A quick word on the liner.

Be sure the liner leather used is not of the chrome-tanned persuasion. The chemicals used in that process is harmful to firearms, especially blued. Stick with a veg tanned liner. It is safe for finishes and will mold nicely to the gun.


For tools, you can get the Al Stohlman starter kit for about $30 @ Tandy. Includes all necessary tools, instruction book, & thread. The things you need to supply is leather, glue, dye/finish and a blade.


I prefer using an awl punch and saddle stitch. A diamond shaped hole will lay the stitches nicely and allow the leather to close back over the thread in each corner for a secure, strong stitch. Aesthetics are tight as well.

Shorts ~ I can't seem to find that kit on the Tandy website ~ could you possibly provide a link for me?

Thanks

Sure thing. It also looks like the cost has jumped. It's now $79.99. Sheesh. Anyhow, it's a good kit to rolling.

Hand Stitching Kit
Item #11189-00
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home ... =Product_5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've never used an awl. I always use two needles and "saddle stitch."

Chas.

I use a diamond shaped awl punch for the holes and the double needle saddle stitch.