Wrinkled Holster Liner

JD Alan · September 22, 2009, 09:20:22 AM

Well, I tried lining a holster last night. It's a test holster, to see how it fits my NMV. I'll be sewing the liner today, then the main seam, but I wonder if the amount of wrinkling I've got here is normal. I did it the way WC showed with pictures, laying the liner over the side of a table, then rolling the holster onto the liner. It looks like it's bonded well on all the edges.

I appreciate your expertise, JD

Kid Terico · September 22, 2009, 09:31:21 AM

JD, How long did u leave it set before you tried to form it? Its not bad . I have seen a lot worse. KT I use a 1 1/4 clothe rod to form so I dont have as sharp a crease to start with.

JD Alan · September 22, 2009, 10:07:28 AM

Kid, I let the two pieces set after spreading the glue about 15 minutes before putting them together. They were still pretty tacky. I bent them over a table with a sharp 90 degree angle. Should I have waited longer, or put them together sooner? Thanks

Ned Buckshot · September 22, 2009, 10:13:54 AM

I find using a dowel to bend it over so you can come all the way around similar to how the holster will be when it's stitched works well for me.

Ned

Trailrider · September 22, 2009, 10:49:40 AM

That's not too bad. You might try wetting both layers of leather by running water from the faucet over the holster. Don't overdo it; just 15-30 seconds or so will do fine. Using the round piece of wood (handrail, clothes rod, etc.) will also help. The wrinkles should iron out pretty well when you wet-fit the holster to the gun.

Slowhand Bob · September 22, 2009, 10:52:49 AM

JD, pard I never do anything by the book and do not even go through the role step of assembly, and yes, the result is a lot of internal rippling, especially with a heavy liner such as 4/5oz leather. I really like the hold open resistance to folding, accomplished by flat gluing, the pouch as I seldom wet fit holsters. If you bone the inside with a large wooden implement handle that is really slick you will improve the interior wrinkling somewhat while, at the same time, opening it up for the first insertion of your pistol. Lighter holster liners (2/3oz) and the suedes that some fokes like will not show this wrinkling near as bad. I know this is breaking the rules but that is my way of accomplishing an end, trade offs.

One other thought, I am not sure how much of a glue strip you laid along that sight track fold but I would try to keep the first glue line limited to a pretty narrow strip, one inch or less, if you want to really reduce the wrinkling there.

JD Alan · September 22, 2009, 11:42:57 AM

Thanks for the feedback Bob. I've read before that you don't generally wet mold. Do you do anything in the way of flairing the top edge out?

As far as gluing, I spread the glue evenly over the entire holster and liner. I've not heard of reducing the glue around or near the fold. I don't know what you mean by "First glue line"

Kid Terico · September 22, 2009, 12:43:41 PM

JD I leave set over night and often dampen the fold with a sponge before I make the fold. I always use a 1"to 11/4" wooden close rod to make my bend. No wrinkles KT

Slowhand Bob · September 22, 2009, 01:30:22 PM

JD, I have seen this done in more than one way, I think you are applying glue to all surfaces and then trying to slowly adhere the two pieces, a little at the time, while slowly rolling them together. I tried this several times, even using wax paper between the areas I wanted to keep free until I got to them, but did not like this method. This was done with both pieces cradled in my left hand while pressing, smoothing and rolling with my right, not sure about the table as I did not use one.

The method I preferred was to simply run a narrow seam of glue down the center line of the holster that mated with a like one down the center of the (oversized) liner, I then joined them together, somewhat like a book spine attachment. When you are satisfied that this has set properly, then start working out from that center joint as you keep adding glue in sections and roll the two pieces together. I always went from the center across the holster front as the first section and then done the back up to but not including the skirt fold next. Last I would roll in the skirt fold just like I did the holster. Though somewhat slower, this was easier for me than having so much wet glue area to work with all at once. Remember one thing, if you are looking for the traditional way to do leather craft, you do not want to watch me!

cowboywc · September 22, 2009, 03:07:50 PM

Howdy JD
Try wetting the lining and hold the holster folded and rub the area with a smooth round rod. (Wood tool handle, antler bone, etc)
This will work out most of the wrinkles. You cal also work them again after you sew the main seam.
WC

JD Alan · September 22, 2009, 08:13:30 PM

Thnks Kid and Bob, I do appreciate you sharing your experience

WC, please forgive rank ignorance here, but are you talking about wetting the smooth side of the liner, after the other side has glue on it, then laying it down? Not sure I got the picture.

Marshal Tac · September 23, 2009, 03:58:07 AM

JD,
Trailrider and WC are giving you the same advise... With the completed holster you have pictured, wet the inside lining and smooth it out with a smooth wooden dowel or a larger diameter tool handle or something of the sort.
Overall, the amount of wrinkling you have is not bad.

When I line a holster, I spread the glue/contact cement over both peices, like you did, and I start the two peices together by pressing them in the bend of the holster and working outward from there. I always leave some extra material around the lining edges, then cut/trim it off once the two peices are glued together.

Everytime I tried to glue linings flat, then folded the holster, I ended up with the same wrinkles you have, only worse.

Hope this helps.
-Tac

JD Alan · September 23, 2009, 07:56:58 AM

Thanks Marshall Tac, I appreciate you sharing your advice. I'm wondering, besides the looks, what problems would there be in having the lining wrinkled in the fold?

Marshal Will Wingam · September 23, 2009, 11:19:09 AM

I have one pair of holsters that has much worse wrinkles than that. They were glued flat and wrapped around. The lining was really thick and really wrinkled up. After they were assembled, I just wet molded the pistols into them and they came out fine. Some of the wrinkling is still there but it doesn't interfere with anything. I'd wrap them first next time.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · September 23, 2009, 11:31:38 AM

Howdy JD

I do my holsters the same as WC, as he was the one that taught me these tips, but I've been using gun leather for over fifty years now, and they all have wrinkles in the bend, even my Alfonso and Bianchi holsters, you shouldn't be concerned about this, just use as others have said a piece of dowel of the right size with a rounded end to fit in the bucket, and after dampening the area, use the rounded end as much as you can to smooth it out, all the wrinkles won't come out, but that's OK, that's the nature of the animal, it doesn't and won't have any effect on drawing your gun out or reholstering it.

Regards

tEN wOLVES

cowboywc · September 23, 2009, 02:03:59 PM

Quote from: JD Alan on September 22, 2009, 08:13:30 PM
Thnks Kid and Bob, I do appreciate you sharing your experience

WC, please forgive rank ignorance here, but are you talking about wetting the smooth side of the liner, after the other side has glue on it, then laying it down? Not sure I got the picture.

Howdy JD
Nothing to forgive.
After you have it sewn together run a damp sponge along the wrinkles, then smooth them out as best as possible.
WC