Forming a leather holster with a vacuum press

This video shows how I use my vacuum pump press to form my leather holsters.

This video was posted in April of 2015 - I've used this press in current form since somewhere around 2010, and it's still going strong as of 2020. If you'd like to read more about my setup, please visit my website to read a blog post I made telling all about the parts and pieces I used to assemble it (link down below).

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► TOOLS & GEAR (affiliate links)

Air Brush - Badger 150 Airbrush: https://amzn.to/2PrSnnB
Air Compressor - Senco PC1010 1-Gallon Air Compressor: https://amzn.to/2BCN5gO
Bone Folder: https://amzn.to/2Wdbbbx
Brass Maker Stamps: https://www.leatherstampmaker.com/
Burnishing Gum (Gum Tragacanth): https://amzn.to/2JmeRT3
Burnishing Gum (Tokonole): https://amzn.to/2WgkY0f
Cardstock: https://amzn.to/36ycaqY
Cocobolo Burnisher: https://www.proedgeburnishers.com/ind...
Contact Cement (Barge): https://amzn.to/2tCPiIs
Contact Cement (Fiebling's - Non Toxic): https://amzn.to/2VRTdv8
Contact Cement (Weldwood - this is what I use): https://amzn.to/39L2883
Cutting Mat: https://amzn.to/2QPgv2q
Dye: https://amzn.to/2Fmk2zZ
Edger (C.S. Osborne #125 Size 3): https://amzn.to/3an2OiU
Edger (Weaver Size 0 = 1/16"): https://amzn.to/2pRobXU
Fiskars Rotary Cutter: https://amzn.to/2QRIWg3
How To Make Holsters, by Al Stohlman: https://amzn.to/2pfsTPt
Punching Pad: https://amzn.to/2VuYjyJ
Roughing Tool: https://amzn.to/2KkYPZL
Round Knife: https://amzn.to/32V7ycR
Scratch Awl (Tandy): https://amzn.to/2FrR9m0
Scratch Awl (Kobalt): https://amzn.to/2ZTW48J
Sewing Needles: https://amzn.to/2xPrJyf
Snap Press: Pres-N-Snap http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Up...
Stitching Chisels: https://amzn.to/36044rr
Stitching Pony: DreamFactory https://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamFactoryKR
Straight Edge Ruler: https://amzn.to/2KkYPZL
Sewing Machine: https://leathermachineco.com/product-...
Tandy Leather Craftool Adjustable Creaser: https://amzn.to/2MLgcoq
Vacuum Press: https://www.adamsleatherworks.com/pos...
Wood Slicker: https://amzn.to/3cFiHTc
Wool Daubers: https://amzn.to/2FoT0b5

► LEATHER SUPPLIERS

Wickett & Craig - I typically order their "Tooling/Holster/Carving" vegetable tanned leather. I purchase their "Standard" grade, and I request that they split it down from a thicker hide so the back is as clean as possible. I normally order 7-8 ounce for holsters, 3-4 ounce if I'm lining a holster (I build the whole thing out of 3-4 ounce), and either 3-4 or 4-5 ounce for wallets, journal covers, etc... They will allow you to purchase individual hides

Herman Oak - While I love the leather I've gotten from Wickett & Craig, I prefer the warmer coloring of natural Herman Oak. Unfortunately, H.O. requires you to buy leather in bulk from the tannery, and buying from distributors can be hit & miss. Springfield Leather sells "Herman Oak Premium Belt Bend", so I’ve been using this lately.

The Leather Guy - I don't have a lot of experience with this leather, but the "Artisan's Choice" leather I've used has been very nice. The coloration is similar to Wickett & Craig. The thing I really like about The Leather Guy's website is that nearly every single hide shown on their site is a listing for the actual hide you'll be buying, complete with photos and a description of blemishes for that particular hide. Very cool that they do that!

District Leather - I've never personally ordered from them, but I've heard good things about their leather.

Acadia Leather - I've never purchased from here either, but I've also heard good things about their leather.

Horween Leather - At the risk of sounding repetitive, here's another I've never ordered from, but their leather is very well known.

Weaver Leathercraft - Most of what I order from weaver is buckles and tools, but they also sell leather.

► VIDEO EQUIPMENT (affiliate links)

Camera - Canon 60D: https://amzn.to/33Uzldg
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Lens - Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Lens: https://amzn.to/3at3Vxm
Lens - Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens: https://amzn.to/2VtwXsF
Tripod - 62": https://amzn.to/362WOuP
Tripod - Travel Size: https://amzn.to/2Vt14R5
Tripod - Spare Release Plate Ball Head: https://amzn.to/3byQmhC
Portable SSD: https://amzn.to/3btaZvv