question for leather workers
- Thread starter DCortez
- Start date
The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas
Member Benefits:
Fewer Ads! Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership Discuss anti-gun legislation Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses Discover free outdoor shooting areas View up to date on firearm-related events Share photos & video with other members ...and so much more!
Member Benefits:
kingofwylietx
Well-Known
Shorts? Shorts? She should be along shortly....
All the time you ungrateful sons'a'... kidding.
I think it depends on what you're building. Most times it's really the tools you have to work with that will make the difference in how PITA the project is. Different skins have different textures, hardness and character. If you don't have the tool you need to work the leather, it makes the day a bit more frustrating. That can be the difference between handle tools and a machine. Or a particular hand tool vs an improvised tool. And honestly, even with the right tools, right leather and right products, it can still end up fighting you all the way.
Some leathers are difficult to punch through and stitch (stingray, alligator). So a machine is almost a most. Some leathers are very thin so backings and layers need to be considered (exotics, reptiles), which make the build process and edging a true brain builder. Some leathers don't like to take dye (horse hide). That can be a huge pain. Some leathers have to be cut with scissors, which means the pattern will walk on you (suede). Some leather aer just heavy and take some muscle (veg tan, especially heavy weights).
Really it depends on what you're trying to do and with what material. If you don't have the proper leather for the purpose, you'll have fits. Without the proper tools, it would be a long project for sure.
Is there something in particular you had in mind?
I think it depends on what you're building. Most times it's really the tools you have to work with that will make the difference in how PITA the project is. Different skins have different textures, hardness and character. If you don't have the tool you need to work the leather, it makes the day a bit more frustrating. That can be the difference between handle tools and a machine. Or a particular hand tool vs an improvised tool. And honestly, even with the right tools, right leather and right products, it can still end up fighting you all the way.
Some leathers are difficult to punch through and stitch (stingray, alligator). So a machine is almost a most. Some leathers are very thin so backings and layers need to be considered (exotics, reptiles), which make the build process and edging a true brain builder. Some leathers don't like to take dye (horse hide). That can be a huge pain. Some leathers have to be cut with scissors, which means the pattern will walk on you (suede). Some leather aer just heavy and take some muscle (veg tan, especially heavy weights).
Really it depends on what you're trying to do and with what material. If you don't have the proper leather for the purpose, you'll have fits. Without the proper tools, it would be a long project for sure.
Is there something in particular you had in mind?
Something along the cowboy line of things for my revolvers (.357 & .44 mags) and lever guns (16, 20, & 24"). Would like something decorative and/or ornamental that you'd see in an old west movie.
Having built a bunch of cowboy rigs for CAS, as well as concealment holsters, SCA armor, horse tack, and bike stuff; I can say that starting with an old west rig out of veg. tanned leather is a good place to start if you want to get into holster making. Or leather working for that matter.
Most old west rigs are basically fitted "buckets" that the gun sits in and is held in place with a hammer strap. The patterns are mostly symmetrical and utilize a simple stitch pattern. Usually unlined and made out of 8-10 or 10-12 oz leather. Tandy Leather has several kits available that contain all the materials needed to get started and many books and patterns for this type of holster and belt. The kits and patterns often contain carving patterns for decorating the holsters and belts. Some of the kits even contain the tools that you need to complete the project.Some Tandy stores even offer classes and workshops for the novice crafter.
The worst part of western holsters, in my opinion, is the decoration, I can build, mold, and fit leather to almost anything. When it comes to carving leather, I leave that to others. An artist I am not.
Joat
Most old west rigs are basically fitted "buckets" that the gun sits in and is held in place with a hammer strap. The patterns are mostly symmetrical and utilize a simple stitch pattern. Usually unlined and made out of 8-10 or 10-12 oz leather. Tandy Leather has several kits available that contain all the materials needed to get started and many books and patterns for this type of holster and belt. The kits and patterns often contain carving patterns for decorating the holsters and belts. Some of the kits even contain the tools that you need to complete the project.Some Tandy stores even offer classes and workshops for the novice crafter.
The worst part of western holsters, in my opinion, is the decoration, I can build, mold, and fit leather to almost anything. When it comes to carving leather, I leave that to others. An artist I am not.
Joat
Big country
TGT Addict
I hear Ross Leather has one just like it all ready made.
Too bad none will fit my guns.
I do like the stars and style, but want something a little fancier.
This is what I like, but do think it would be a pita to make.
The answer is yes! That would take three or four days of hard work.....now if you have a design laid out and a sewing machine it would be faster. That's a bunch of stitching.
Big country
TGT Addict
What guns?
Lever guns, S&W revolvers with barrels that are too long or short, and now that I think of it ... it would be bad ass to have one for my Kimbers.
Try here for the holster kits: Tandy Leather Factory
Most of the decoration on the kits are done with stamps and conchos. They can be as plain or as fancy as you want.
For built rigs at decent prices try these guys.
I've used a couple of their rigs for cowboy shoots and they were good, affordable rigs. Not the best out there, but affordable and relatively well made.
Joat
Most of the decoration on the kits are done with stamps and conchos. They can be as plain or as fancy as you want.
For built rigs at decent prices try these guys.
I've used a couple of their rigs for cowboy shoots and they were good, affordable rigs. Not the best out there, but affordable and relatively well made.
Joat
That tooled stuff is the direction I'd like to go in. Call me cowboy ghetto gangsta, but that stuff looks cool.
Big country
TGT Addict
So all of them!
Yes it would be. Starting from zero experience on a project like that isn't impossible, it will just take patience, the right tools and a good plan. You biggest hurdle would be not knowing the tips, tricks and behaviors of the items you'll be working with. Veg tan is pretty forgiving in that its tough.
Any good leather supply store will sell those types of patterns/instructions/kits. I don't think you get all the tools and materials necessary to complete such a rig (it'll probably tell you what you have to buy separately). But it is an excellent starting place to see what you're getting into.
Any good leather supply store will sell those types of patterns/instructions/kits. I don't think you get all the tools and materials necessary to complete such a rig (it'll probably tell you what you have to buy separately). But it is an excellent starting place to see what you're getting into.
This is what I like, but do think it would be a pita to make.
i have been sewing leather for 30 years and shark will wear out a needle in a minute tough as hell but will tear at the stitches. if you need help with it i would be glad to help you there are no secrets to this art only people who no more than others by experience.
Here's a few I've done:
I've got a bunch of different exotic skins on hand - stingray, ostrich, elephant, hippo, zebra, giraffe, alligator, python, shark. I've never had really any problem sewing through any of it. Again - as Shorts said it's the equipment used that makes the difference.
I use only genuine skins - none of the embossed. The silver on the tan colored cowboy holster is real silver. The spots on the one just above is the generic type. (That's beaver tail on the band.)
I've got a bunch of different exotic skins on hand - stingray, ostrich, elephant, hippo, zebra, giraffe, alligator, python, shark. I've never had really any problem sewing through any of it. Again - as Shorts said it's the equipment used that makes the difference.
I use only genuine skins - none of the embossed. The silver on the tan colored cowboy holster is real silver. The spots on the one just above is the generic type. (That's beaver tail on the band.)
