Holster screwed up. Have to adapt the pattern again.

Douglas Sheridan · July 13, 2018, 12:42:14 AM

Made up a couple patterns that were too loose to start, took away what looked to be the right amount and it was too much of a good thing. Just a little to small ahead of the cylinder. I think I can save it by increasing the thickness of the welting that area, and then adjust the pattern for future use. At least I expected this one would need some adjustments and made sure it didn't take the best leather from the side for it.

Capt Quirk · July 13, 2018, 02:04:35 AM

I have a small box full of oopses. You never know when you might get a smaller gun that it will fit.

Johnny McCrae · July 13, 2018, 06:28:43 AM

I've always made my own patterns and this has happened to me a few times. If it's a complicated Holster, sometimes I'll make a sample (prototype) pouch out of scrap or unusable leather. It is a good idea to hang onto the oopses.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · July 13, 2018, 09:51:37 AM

Quote from: Jrice on July 13, 2018, 12:42:14 AM
Made up a couple patterns that were too loose to start, took away what looked to be the right amount and it was too much of a good thing. Just a little to small ahead of the cylinder. I think I can save it by increasing the thickness of the welting that area, and then adjust the pattern for future use. At least I expected this one would need some adjustments and made sure it didn't take the best leather from the side for it.

Welcome to the club! Happily, my too small holster a was perfect fit for my Singe-Six

Marshal Will Wingam · July 13, 2018, 10:24:14 AM

I also often make a test holster from unusable leather, like the belly stuff, if there's any question. In those cases, I usually assemble with speedy rivets rather than go to all the trouble of stitching something that isn't going to be anything other than a pattern test. I did that for my 1911 Frazier pattern when I first made it. I still use that test holster today to carry my pruning shears when working in the yard.

Douglas Sheridan · July 13, 2018, 10:48:46 AM

I used mostly the belly and a scuffed area to start knowing it would likely need some adjustments. I'll still go ahead and do a border and the stitching as it's been a while. I'm using a single welt in the top portion of the seam, and then tapering in 2 additional welts, one on each side of the primary welt for the area that I cut too narrow. By the time I do the wet forming it may be usable while I make a nicer set. I'll probably add about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to the pattern in that area for the next one.

Douglas Sheridan · July 18, 2018, 12:44:58 PM

Looks like it's going to work alright. Considering this is the first significant leather project I've done in the last 15 years. The cross draw is the first one I did and added 2 additional welts in the area forward of the cylinder. This ended up not being as tight as I thought it was going to be but not a problem. I did the other 2 with just a single welt, and by the time they are wet formed will be just fine. Learned a few things 'll keep in mind for the next set I make. These ones I've actually done in the hotel while waiting on some rescheduled training for work. Ran out of dye so the rest will wait until I get by another shop, or get back home. Broke the first awl after just a few holes, pretty sure it had a problem to begin with.

These are all 9-10 oz. The next set I'll make a few minor adjustments to my patterns and line the next set with somewhere between 2 and 4 oz.

Capt Quirk · July 18, 2018, 04:34:02 PM

That came out looking really good

Marshal Will Wingam · July 18, 2018, 07:22:39 PM

That pattern does look like it fits right. Makes a fine holster. Good job.

Johnny McCrae · July 18, 2018, 07:26:36 PM

Very nice! I love that look. Many thanks for sharing this with us.

Graveyard Jack · July 27, 2018, 10:03:15 AM

That turned out real nice!

Somehow I've been lucky with holsters. Other stuff, not so much. I draw up a lot of my own patterns and they usually fit how I want them to. However, of those three Slim Jims I'm working on now, there was a 4th. I totally hosed the stamping on a 5½" and ended up just stitching it together (easy with the machine) without the belt loop to make sure the pouch was gonna fit right. I was thinking I 'could' use it with some sort of overlay.