First holster...

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Well, I just finished up my first holster on my own.

I found that getting things lined up in the "pony" was tough, but, it helped.

Now, my question is this. If I put a filler/spacer between the front & back, how do I keep it there?

Should I be gluing it to both sides before I start sewing? I am using a simple saddle stitch. (its what I know and has worked on other projects)

I am going ot make a cartridge holder for my sholder rig here as well. I hope to get that done in the next week.

So far, so good.

I'll post pics as I get further.

[knucklehead]

if you mean to put the filler/spacer inbetween both sides of the holster main body to allow more room in the holster, yes use glue.

make sure you taper the bottom edge of the filler. it makes a far better finished product this way.
I use the belt sander to taper my spacers. basicly taper the spacer like a "v".
I use barge cement on both sides of the stich area. put the glue on and let it set for about 5-8 mins. then put pieces together and clamp for a few mins. be carefull and make sure to line edges up as you go. because this glues grabs quick and is a bear to pull apart.
I will glue the edges together with the spacer inbetween and let set. after it sets up i will go to my belt sander and finish shaping the edge seam. then i will poke holes in for stiching.

I too use saddle stich.
and yep the saddle stich is the best stiching for leatherworking.
hopefully this answered your question.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I agree on the use of glue to assemble. There are times when I will put one stitch at each end and maybe one in the middle to position the pieces first or to hold it so the glue doesn't try to separate, although this is rare. It usually happens if I am wrapping the leather around after gluing two layers together to make a stiffer holster.

I also taper the filler.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[Slowhand Bob]

I have tried glued and unglued main seams, back and forth, through the years.  Glue seems the much more common method and the one I use most often nowdays.  It is by far my most preferred method when working with unfillered seams of less than thirty ounces.  If doing a lined holster with single or double fillers, modern competition styles, the leather is starting to really stack up 36 to 40+ozs, and the awl starts getting overpowered pretty fast.  This is where my techniques start going astray from the traditional methods of hand sewing.

There are three great videos available that give very good instructions on hand sewing holsters and each offers a totally different perspective based on the authors methods.  My way uses some from each of these guys plus some variations of my own.  I have improved my methods by borrowing from the makers of these videos and would be hard pressed to believe that there isn't something in them for everyone.

George Hurst of 'HIDECRAFTERS' has a holster making video out that is excellent for those interested in the old traditional methods of holster design and making.  He does seem to cut away from his hand work frequently during the stitching but one must understand, he does sell a sewing video too.  HAR HAR HAR, and its a good one for learning traditional sewing techniques, though not necessarily always applicable to holster making.

WILD ROSE TRADING COMPANY is run by our own Nolan Sacket and he does a great job of jazzing up the old traditional sewing methods with some great new twists of his own.  When he settles back in his faithful old recliner he is sure one lean mean sewing machine.  His technique of pre-punching the front with the awl and using that to guide you into a more traditional style next is wirth the price of admission alone.  I watched his knife video before the holster version and consider it to be very applicable and a good transitional step.  Though in a basterdised way, I have adapted much of his sewing techniques into some of my really heavy leather methods and all of my light mainseam and liner sewing.

Some one a bit newer on the scene is a pard named Jim Simmons, alias Brazos Jack, and he is marketing his material through the above mentioned 'HIDECRAFTERS'.  He offers a couple of books and a whole series of leather patterns in addition to his holster making video.  Jim brings some neat new construction techniques to the table that I have not seen before and would have never thought of on my own.  I have used a variaion of his sewing technique before, which involves pre-punching all holes before starting.  His method uses no glue on the mainseam before beginning the final stitch.  To make this work you must devote the time and care that he demonstrates in layout as relates to the stitch holes.  This is a big part of how I do 40+ozs of sewing in leather without the use of drills or other machinery.

I am aware of two other excellent videos that are well worth owning, and though I consider them as good as the above in general, they do not add greatly to what is already covered in sewing techniques.  In passing let me state that the Dusty Johnson version does devote a couple of minutes to hand stitching bullet loops and the Bianchy tapes add a small piece on marrying a hidden hand stitch to a machine stitched belt at the billet retainer.

This full library of videos might seem a bit pricey but if you just do what they show with the tools they demonstrate and buy no other tools, you would save a bundle there.  You can quickly fill a wheel barrow with failed or unnecessary tools when you have no one to mentor you you along the way.  Beyond the occasional tips at Tandy, there was no inside to western holster making before these videos came out.  We are now lucky to be able to sit by a master crafter and watch his techniques over and over for just a few bucks, gleaning much of what he spent a lifetime acheiving.

Never say in a word what can be turned into a book!

 

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Ugh... the glue I am using is crap.

I ran out and grabbed some DAP contact cement and will have to restitch. (good news is, the holes are there)

Aside from one hole that just would NOT line up correctly (only visible from the back) I am pretty happy.

Pics as promised...

Its a sholder holster design with a cartridge board on the other side. (right hand draw across)


The cartridge board is going to hold 2 rows of 9 shells offset just a bit so that cartridges are easier to draw.

The holster is not done... I need to remove the stitching, rebead it, reglue it with DAP, and then restitch. Work ahead of me, but, 95% of it is already done.



This is going to be my backup hunting holster. I found I don't care for a belt holster around the waist getting into/out of the tree stands and it gets too many 'looks' from folks when you walk into a gas station. I have a CCW permit.

[Its a Ruger GP100 for those that are wondering... I am going to make a cross draw for my Walker and a paper cartridge box if this first attempt works out]