home made holsters

[Ron Padilla]

who has pictures or can you take some and post?  or has there been very many here that have attempted to make a holster?  I think I might try in the near future and have high hopes of a good job.  so lets see and hear what ya'll got.

[jgradyc]

Here's a couple of pics. 

 

Edited June 7, 2015 by jgradyc

[Ron Padilla]

thanks for posting, what did you use to form your kydex?

[jgradyc]

The instructions are somewhere online or on a youtube video. The boards are shelving boards. The bottom foam is from one of those mats you put together like a jigsaw puzzle. I heated the Kydex on a BBQ grill. I put it on parchment paper on a baking sheet to keep it from sticking. 

 

 

Edited June 7, 2015 by jgradyc

[BigK]

I built a sandwich press for forming the Kydex, but I prefer to shape by hand using a heat gun and some thick leather gloves.

 

EDIT: added pic of kydex press:

Edited June 8, 2015 by BigK

[Ron Padilla]

Thanks to both, was hoping someone here might be using a vacuum system, I remember DOLO indicated he did one with a vacuum system.

[K191145]

It's kinda fugly, made it years ago when I bought my Gen3 Glock 21SF with that big picitinny rail, couldn't find a holster for it so I made this. It fits tight to this day, I still wear it but I took the bling off. I also hat to cut a couple of notches where the ambidextrious max release buttons were because I would sit in a chair and press the holster against the side and eject my mag on the floor.

 

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JMH42/media/JonHolster2.jpg.html][/URL]

Edited June 7, 2015 by K191145

[Ron Padilla]

Thats nice, what did you use for the boning on the leather, and did you use basic leather techniques to work and form the leather, amd one last question is that 8_9 once leather? Thanks

[Ron Padilla]

Also did you hand stitch?

[K191145]

Thats nice, what did you use for the boning on the leather, and did you use basic leather techniques to work and form the leather, amd one last question is that 8_9 once leather? Thanks

 

I'm really just an amature at leather making, I cut out a wooden Glock traced from mine and just pressed wet leather with the cut out into the board I cut it out of, I sanded and enlarged the cut out in the board, it formed pretty well, then just took a flat leather piece for the back, cut out the belt openings and hand stiched it. It's the thickest cow leather Tandy had, don't know what size.

[Ron Padilla]

Ok cool thanks

[94user]

 

For my model 19 Smith

 

 

 

Currently in progress

 

 

One Made earlier for the Bersa

[jgradyc]

I can't find the video. Place the gun on the board and trace the outline. Your outline will be a little wider than the gun. That's what you want. Draw a line from the high point of the front sight to the high point of the rear sight. Draw a straight line to connect the points and cut. The cutout will be a little taller on the top of the slide (see the example in my picture). That will allow the front slide to move in and out of the holster without catching on the Kydex.  Drill holes at turns. Use a jig saw to cut out the outline. The mold piece should be no more than 1/2 inch thick... 3/4 inch thick and the Kydex mold will be too wide to hold the gun in place once you mount it to the leather.

 

Wrap your gun in Saran Wrap to prevent damage. Cut the Kydex into a 6x6 square. Heat until it's floppy. Quicker transfer it to the mold. Align the left side of the Kydex with the left side of the mold, which is also the front of the barrel. (I'm assuming you're right handed.) Quickly put the gun on the mold and push it down. Quickly put the second piece of foam and the board on top. Press it down and clamp with a C-clamp. Let it cool for 5 minutes. The more pressure you can exert, the more the mold will conform to the exact contours of the gun, but that really is just cosmetic. 

Edited June 8, 2015 by jgradyc

[Ron Padilla]

Ok cool

[gjohnsoniv]

I'll post some pictures of mine later tonight. If you have any questions shoot me a PM.

[Ron Padilla]

I will

[jgradyc]

My AlienGear IWB holster for the S&P Shield is 9 3/4 x 7 inches. My home made holster for the Taurus G2 is 9x7 inches and a little thinner. It might not sound like much, but the feel is quite different. The leather on the home made holster is thinner and contours to the body much better. It will probably wear out faster, but I'd rather have a more comfortable holster. That's why I finally started making my own.

[Ron Padilla]

I am going to start making gun belts soon, a sewing machine will be shipped out to me in a few weeks, but also want to look in to making holsters. I have been searching for patterns but have not come up with much. I plan on trying my hand at something like milt sparks makes. I have studied his holster for a while, and would like to be able to form with some sort of vacuum system.

[BigK]

Here's a decent video of how to make a vacuum press. I doesn't give specs, but looked pretty simple to me. I think the chocolate is optional, LOL.

 

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NZSJsaNapY[/media]

[Ron Padilla]

Ok thanks

[Ron Padilla]

Thanks for video lead!

[2.ooohhh]

Thanks to both, was hoping someone here might be using a vacuum system, I remember DOLO indicated he did one with a vacuum system.

I use a vacuum system for forming ABS sheet and HIPS but have yet to try kydex, would probably be great for the thinner kydex though. 

[Ron Padilla]

what is hips

[2.ooohhh]

what is hips

High impact polystyrene (HIPS)
Vs
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS)
Vs
Acrylic-polyvinyl chloride(Kydex)

All of which are types of thermoplastics commonly used by hobbyists for projects. Edited June 8, 2015 by 2.ooohhh

[TNWNGR]

For a simple but effective vacuum molding system for leather holsters a vacuum storage bag for clothing combined with a vacuum cleaner works fantastically. The same approach can be used in molding hot kydex to the selected handgun with a little forethought and preparation. How? Think along the lines of a mailable piece of fabric or thin leather on the inside surface of the vac bag, then it's a matter of practice. Use a cut down gallon milk or radiator fluid bottle for practice plastic prices, it'll save you money on waisted failures. Making a few knife sheaths first will also make the first holsters look better as well.