Bennj
Member
Good evening, I have a question for the holster makers here please. How many times can you wet mold a holster? Thanks in advance for any replies.
Plus one on this choice bit of advice. RodI agree with CraigC. Flexing veg tanned leather dry breaks down the fibers. Use faucet temperature to just warm water. Heat is leather's worst enemy.
personally I just use my gloved hands (gloves prevent small fingernail marks) to press the shape in to the point I'm satisfied then put precut foam around the edges with sumpin heavy on them. it takes the shape and holds it pretty quickly but let it dry overnightHow long does it take for the moistened leather to take a set?
How do you apply pressure to mold it, press?
How long does it take for the moistened leather to take a set?
How do you apply pressure to mold it, press?
I also wet mold the belt loop with a heavy 14oz belt blank in the appropriate width
The holster you have likely has lost its shape from sweat and oil and probably won’t remold well. One doesn’t know til they try though.Thanks to all for the great info!
I have an older Desantis holster that has lost its shape, will give it a try.
I thought about ordering some strips of 1/4" thick aluminum and breaking the edges. SpeedyMetals will cut to whatever length you want. A 6" section in each width would be plenty.I do that but have been thinking about making a couple of wood strips because they would be tougher than leather. A few coats of polyurethane and they should last for a long time. 1 1/2" and 2" would do me. I don't make holsters for sale, just for me and some of the family. If someone were to offer me enough money I might change my mind about that. I have the need to be making things constantly and holsters and belts help. If I am not making I am planning something to make to fill that need. My last project was a custom swivel knife that turned into four before I quit.
Maybe for mass production but I know of no "professional" makers that bake their holsters.Not in professional holster making there it is absolutely necessary for a professionaly finished holster.
Well then your knowldge base is lacking. For nearly a decade I was a professional custom holster maker and sold holsters to every state in the union and several foriegn countries until my health took a downturn. I know a large number of custom makers and all ,read that all, use heat to set the molding in wet molded veg tan holsters. Your use of the term "bake" further indicates you do not know whereof you speak. The holsters are not baked but force dried at a temperature around 150deg F this allows the release of collagens, think liguid hide glue, in the leather fibers essentialy glueing the molding in place.Maybe for mass production but I know of no "professional" makers that bake their holsters.
I thought about ordering some strips of 1/4" thick aluminum and breaking the edges. SpeedyMetals will cut to whatever length you want. A 6" section in each width would be plenty.
Well then your knowldge base is lacking. For nearly a decade I was a professional custom holster maker and sold holsters to every state in the union and several foriegn countries until my health took a downturn. I know a large number of custom makers and all ,read that all, use heat to set the molding in wet molded veg tan holsters. Your use of the term "bake" further indicates you do not know whereof you speak. The holsters are not baked but force dried at a temperature around 150deg F this allows the release of collagens, think liguid hide glue, in the leather fibers essentialy glueing the molding in place.