Question on lineing leather

Just George · July 12, 2006, 11:11:04 AM

Being new to this craft I have a lot of questions. One of them is on selection and application of lineing for holsters and gun belts. What type of leather is used? Is it sewed and glued? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Just George

Doc Neeley · July 12, 2006, 04:32:01 PM

You'll get several differnt answers to this. I use vegetable tanned natural color goatskin from Siegels. They have it on sale regularly and I buy it then.
I glue it (all) and sew it around the edges.
Calf is popular too with the better leathersmiths (I'm just..er...inexpensive).

Tommy tornado · July 12, 2006, 04:42:32 PM

Or I have used 3 to 4 oz veg-tanned cowhide. The above mentioned stuff is good also. Stay away from chrome tanned leather.

Pawnee Bill · July 12, 2006, 05:21:25 PM

Quote from: Tommy tornado on July 12, 2006, 04:42:32 PM
Or I have used 3 to 4 oz veg-tanned cowhide. The above mentioned stuff is good also. Stay away from chrome tanned leather.

That is good advice. I have also used Brain Tan to reproduce a few existing holsters it looks very spiff.
Cheers
Pawnee Bill

Marshal Will Wingam · July 12, 2006, 05:22:33 PM

I've always used 3-4oz strap because that's what is usually on hand. I think the Veg-tanned would be a better liner material than that, though.

Trapper Trent · July 13, 2006, 03:04:01 PM

Tandy has a deal on single shoulders of $20 for a 6 to 8 sq ft in either 4 to 5 oz or 6 to 7 ounce. Usually think of liners as 2 or 3 oz inside a 6 to 8 oz to make 8 to 11 oz total.

However, it is tempting to use the 4 to 5 oz for both liner and outside. That would keep the inventory simple, one thickness for both. I thought Marshall or someone has done that.

Just George · July 13, 2006, 04:24:03 PM

WOW! Thanks for all the way cool answers. I never thought about the lining being added onto the total weight. So, I guess I could make a holster from 6/7 oz leather, line it with 4/5 oz and have a total of close to 10/12 oz leather? So far I've found the mid-weight leather a little easier to work work with.

If you line a holster you have make it a little larger, I guess. I did manage to get the two needle sewing thing to work for me. Sure found out about not sticking the second needle through the first, the hard way!

Thanks for all your help.

Just George

Tommy tornado · July 14, 2006, 08:31:45 AM

Quote from: Just George on July 13, 2006, 04:24:03 PM
WOW! Thanks for all the way cool answers. I never thought about the lining being added onto the total weight. So, I guess I could make a holster from 6/7 oz leather, line it with 4/5 oz and have a total of close to 10/12 oz leather? So far I've found the mid-weight leather a little easier to work work with.

If you line a holster you have make it a little larger, I guess. I did manage to get the two needle sewing thing to work for me. Sure found out about not sticking the second needle through the first, the hard way!

Thanks for all your help.

Just George

Just make sure your awl is sharp. I bent one of mine trying to combine two pieces of 6 to 7 oz leather for a holster.

Silver_Rings · July 14, 2006, 12:05:38 PM

As Trent said, I used 2 layers of 4 - 5 oz leather glued flesh sides together for my holsters. Give the holster good stiffness and the heavier leather for the lining is more durable. If I have leather that is marred that I don't want to use for the out side of the holster it works fine for the lining.

Helps reduce the amount of leather I have to buy and keep around. Haven't had any problem with molding it.

You do need to cut the leather for your holster larger to allow for the total thickness of the leather no matter what you use for a lining. I form each piece with the fold in it before glueing the 2 layers together, this help reduce bunching at the inside of the fold.

SR

Just George · July 14, 2006, 01:12:33 PM

Thanks to all of you who answered back. I'm having almost as much fun with the leather stuff as I do with the gun stuff. I guess my next attempt will be at a pair of holsters.

Thanks again.

Just George

Blackey Cole · July 14, 2006, 02:33:08 PM

I do it like John Binachi states in his video on the Art & Secrets of western Holster Making. I either use the same leather or a weight lighter as lining died the same as the holster I bend the holster in to a "C" shape and glue using Barge Contact Cement and apply the outer layer over the inner layer Which is about a 1/4" larger in all dimensions so as to allow the extra to be trimmed once the holster is sewn. I ensure the leather makes contact everywhere between the two layers. His video is the best that I have seen on the topic. It can be had at GunVideo.com.

Trapper Trent · July 14, 2006, 03:27:44 PM

Quote from: Just George on July 14, 2006, 01:12:33 PM
Thanks to all of you who answered back. I'm having almost as much fun with the leather stuff as I do with the gun stuff. I guess my next attempt will be at a pair of holsters.

Thanks again.

Just George

That is my problem also. All I need is the shotgun to finish up on the guns that are needed. That and western period shirts, and period trousers, and suspenders, and boots, and more cowboy hats, and more leather and more guns, and ammo, and a Dillon press, and a bigger workshop, and a way to keep from having a divorce, and ...

Marshal Will Wingam · July 14, 2006, 06:49:37 PM

Quote from: Blackey Cole on July 14, 2006, 02:33:08 PM
I do it like John Binachi states in his video on the Art & Secrets of western Holster Making. I either use the same leather or a weight lighter as lining died the same as the holster I bend the holster in to a "C" shape and glue using Barge Contact Cement and apply the outer layer over the inner layer Which is about a 1/4" larger in all dimensions so as to allow the extra to be trimmed once the holster is sewn. I ensure the leather makes contact everywhere between the two layers. His video is the best that I have seen on the topic. It can be had at GunVideo.com.

LOL, I made a pair of holsters by gluing two layers of 8-9 oz together before curving the rough shape of the holster. Wow, it was a real challenge to shape them. Got 'er done, though. Those holsters hold their shape like 1/4" steel plate. They really work great, but next time, I'll bend them around before gluing. Here's a pic:

Madd Bones · July 25, 2006, 12:09:53 AM

Tandy has a great kip tooling leather that is super thin easy to work with and will let you keep holster from becoming to thick

Slowhand Bob · July 26, 2006, 09:11:51 PM

Madd Bones, I too prefer the lighter liners for holsters. They lay smoother in the roll and are easier to trim after glueing. Most often I line 6/7 or 8/9 with 2/3oz leather. The lighter 6/7 leather is usually used on early style holsters. I have used the 6/7 over 4/5 oz a few times for competition holsters but do not find that much leather to be necessary.