Sketches to Patterns to Laser Files: Making a Leather Shoulder Holster

As promised, this is my process of turning sketches into mockups -- and then into files that a laser cutter/engraver can read to cut leather. The project I'm working on is the holster for a shoulder rig for my friend's Beretta Centurion. However, this is the same process I use for knife sheaths, bags, wallets, and basically everything else I cut on the laser.
The leather work starts at around the 15 minute mark.
It's a brief tutorial on Adobe Illustrator (my main design tool). That's where the vast majority of my work is done. I primarily use Lightburn and Creative Space just to run the laser. Any questions please feel free to ask in the comments.
My primary laser is the xTool P2.
The stamps used in this project:
Craftool X500S
Barry King barker/veiner

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

Very comfy videos. I especially enjoy seeing the seamless blending of old school handiwork with new-fangled technology.

[@weirdwwii8775]

It's a work of art! I love the marriage of the old and new world tech to make it too. Can't wait to wear it! Thanks, brother.

[@CaulderLeather]

Been laser cutting leather for about 4 years now and you use almost the exact same process I do. Only thing I do different is for my scale check I just trace the pattern on a 8.5x11 sheet of paper and import to Inkscape as a pdf. But otherwise I think as far as efficiency goes, you got it down. I will say here lately I've been trying my hand at just digitally designing my pieces by taking my measurements off the gun with leather ruler and then importing a picture to scale of the firearm, have found good success with it, but not super comfortable yet. Big fan of your channel, been watching for some time now and Im glad someone is doing what your doing with lasers and helping to get rid of the stigma! Awesome build man!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

My scanner will inexplicably upscale scans sometimes . . . or maybe it's in the import to Illustrator. Dunno; it's obviously a setting somewhere I keep missing. But there has been a few times where I scanned, traced, and ran a laser file only to pull it off the machine and say "that seems too big". Hence why I do the scale check. Thanks for watching!

[@donaldmatthies6026]

That was a very informative video. The holster turned out great! Thank you for taking time to build, film, edit and post this video.

[@uweploeger511]

Gorgeous Video, very informativ. To make a sample out of foam is a smart idea and a lasercuter is a great benefit for professtional work. As a hobbyist I can't affort such a machine, so I get along with cardboard added design😁. By the way this holster looks amazing!!! Many greatings from Germany!

[@staplegunnr]

Thanks for the great video. I use CAD for my design process (I live in CAD for my day job) and export the designs as dxf's. I import the dxf's into lightburn, make a few adjustments (cutting order) and finally cut the leather.

[@نورالدينخاتي]

هل لي بمشاركتك الملفات و إرسالها اللي ❤🎉

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DavyLaStrange]

I agree with all the benefits of lasers for leather work and you obviously master all the tools you use, ironically your amazing ability to make extremely accurate cuts with knives was what drew me to your channel. Excellent work and videos! You rock!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@edanpino-xt1ph]

Beretta makes the most underrated of overrated handguns and I love them. Great video

[@RoadAgentLeather]

agreed. Thanks for watching!

[@user-db5qd3wd6z]

Never thought I'd hear Beretta and Doc Holliday in the same sentence. Excellent work Sir. 👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for listening

[@Деревенскиепосиделки-с6м]

Не перестаю восхищаться вашим умением. Каждое изделие - шедевр!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@ODDwayne1]

My Brother thank you SO MUCH for showing this process. I've seen 1000 leathercraft vids including soft design but their presentation made it look more difficult than it is. You've greatly encouraged me. And a great tip to look at In scape. I looked it up and it seems perfect for a free program. Thank you man. Love your work. 👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@mario7mag]

freaking insane, absolutly beautiful and informative!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@iamnoone.]

Thanks for letting us pick your brain. I've been having trouble with getting patterns on the Lazer. I always cut the stich line all the way. You don't know how many projects I've ruined. I was really close to getting rid of the Lazer. But after watching this I'll try again. Love the holster once again. Many thanks. I will be watching this over and over

[@LiftRanger]

Yet another beautiful holster! Your creativity is so inspiring.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching & subscribing!

[@RALLYPOINT4402]

Thank you for sharing your process. Very helpful as a novice maker.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad it was helpful! And thanks for subscribing!

[@jackgunter5413]

AWESOME JOB,,, Beautiful work

[@frankbutta9344]

Fantastic Work! I like the drill press snap method. 👍👍👍👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@MikaelREALE-Indeed]

Wonderful Job

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@thingsthatgobang19k]

Thank you so much for doing this video, you're awesome!!!! Thanks again!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

You are so welcome! Thanks for subscribing!

[@ibtm]

Nice work!!!!!!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@hersch_tool]

This was really cool to see the process here. I work with metal so I am normally starting in CAD, but I've recently gotten a laser and have been wanting to do more with it and I like your hands on iterative approach a lot. Also, flippin' sweet holster man, that's real gucci gear. 😉

[@RoadAgentLeather]

ha! Wish I could charge Gucci prices. Thanks for watching!

[@geraldstamour1312]

Dope AF results, @RoadAgentLeather!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@brycecrousore1985]

My god, that is a work of art!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffallen3382]

Thank you for doing this. I too use that foam for testing patterns.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Cheaper than testing with leather. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffallen3382]

@@RoadAgentLeather also works good for the padding on the guitar straps I make.

[@SuperGregore]

gorgeous

[@RoadAgentLeather]

thanks!

[@dickeywalt]

Thanks so much for making this video. I was trying to use lightburn for my patterns and was getting frustrated with the results. Although I don't have illustrator, this video will be very helpful to figure it out in inkscape, although I'm sure I'll be watching the video multiple times as I go along at the start to get the hang of it. Thanks again for taking the time to make this video. It will be immensely helpful.

[@rodeouteman]

Top notch work yet again! Love it

[@richardkatzman1215]

Nice job!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@grannybeasley3392]

Loved the video, I enjoy the CAD and laser cutting also. Although I personally prefer the Indian flute music 😊

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Fair enough. Thanks for watching!

[@Stuingtion]

This was a grand video! And I use Adobe Illustrator myself!

[@dougocrow]

Great video! I would have left the holster long. Leaving the end of the gun hanging out could snag the front sight when drawing the weapon.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

So far I hasn't been an issue. Thanks for watching!

[@AgentLynch616]

Love your work. Would love to see you make a rifle scabbard for a lever action Henry

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@djmccathran]

Thank you for sharing your process!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@bigchiefleatherworks7245]

I like how you're incorporating technology into your work. I prefer Linux, so I use Gimp

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@sherlock1895]

Sir, I really did enjoy this video. The computer part just boggled my little pea brain. I skipped ahead to the real leather working part. I really enjoyed watching that. Cheers!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

First comment! Thanks for watching some of it! And thanks for subscribing!

[@nikoss1179]

Instead of outlining the stroke, expand it twice. In the menu, Object, then expand appearance

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Just tried it. Yeah, that works too. Thanks!

[@Semerich_Knives]

Bro, greetings from Russia! I do it this way: you photograph the product from above, then throw the file into CorelDraw, trace the B-spline while maintaining the proportions, it’s a matter of five minutes....Add the thickness of the product, draw holes for the thread....and almost everything is ready...and burn it on laser machine...

[@edgell3]

Nice work as usual 😊😊👍👍👍👍😊

[@tfildaed]

This is awesome! Thank you

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@elopez1369]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@Juronumo]

interesting way you did the snap for retention great looking holster

[@bob_mosavo]

Thanks 👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

No problem 👍

[@johnhull2941]

thats a lot of work but worth it in the end product its class pure class you should sell those patterns id buy them even though we dont do guns in ireland but class project just the same

[@spatulaman2753]

Nice Chuy’s shirt.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

My favorite Tex-Mex! I actually have two of those shirts. Thanks for watching!

[@spatulaman2753]

@@RoadAgentLeather I’ve got 3 or 4 myself.

[@sebf2226]

Superb 👍

[@juliangonzales2916]

Excelente trabajo👍👍👍

[@antonygattis1211]

Tech has come a long way. I just use my old drafting tools.

[@chrishaynes4430]

Probably already been addressed but on your stitch holes i would go to Object expand appearance and object expand then change your fill to no fill

[@MarcelnicolaeBadau]

Faină husă de piele la pistol Domnul❤❤

[@SStrauss]

He works best who knows his trade :)

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@steveholbrook4729]

nice job

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@N98858]

AMAZING... Very Well Done and Articulated ';-)

[@richardlee6886]

Thanks for the content

[@Cobra-ky9bt]

Designing holsters on paper is the bane of my leatherwork existence. The measurements don't ever turn out right when transferred, and I end up wasting leather. Belts, bags, pretty much anything else is fine, but for some reason... And holsters are the second-most requested item I get asked to make. 😆

[@RoadAgentLeather]

lol. I know what you mean. Whenever I have to start a new pattern I stare at a blank piece of paper like I'm looking into the void.

[@kobudo]

I use a 1/2” strap cut from the side of leather I’ll use to make the holster when I’m figuring out stitch lines. It’s very similar to the system Andrew’s Leather Works shows in his videos. It hasn’t steered me wrong yet.

[@johnhenry7097]

Making wet mold patterns in tinkercad! Show us show us show us!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

ha. Maybe . . . Not sure how many computer app tutorials viewers are interested in. We'll see

[@johnhenry7097]

Anyway I could pay you a couple hundred bucks to show me how you do it?

[@muflihunahmad3723]

Amazing magic finger .!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@matthewb8229]

Has using the laser cutter improved work time or more efficient use of your leather stock? Are you getting more items from a piece of leather than before?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I don't run a normal leather working business per se. For me lasers are more about the precision and accuracy of cuts and achieving results that you simply can't do by hand. That being said. . . . Yes, of course! Once I have the pattern created and .svg files made. I can output complex parts that are ready to be dyed and stitched at the push of a button. See my bandolier video I made previously. All those leather boxes can be crammed into a sheet of 2oz veg-tan and cranked out as many as needed. I wouldn't have even attempted that project if it wasn't for my laser cutter. Also, many machines come with onboard cameras and software that can automatically position an array of small parts on any shaped piece of leather for you in the most efficient way possible.

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

Thank you for showing that I picked up a couple of tips. At the end of the video did you cut a chunk out of the back of the holster for clearance for the magazine release? I was taught to never cover the magazine release with the leather as it could bump it and drop your magazine?

[@نورالدينخاتي]

أعمالك فخامة 🎉رووووعة

[@kennycomeaux3727]

Thanks!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for the Super Thanks!!

[@wickdghost3639]

I took like the new green glove from harbor freight 👍👌

[@rus19297]

I’m blaming you for my XTool S1 purchase. 😁 I would love to know if you have any interest in selling your patterns. It would definitely save me some serious time. I want a 1911 6” barrel shoulder holster pattern but can’t find one anywhere. Thanks and always love your work. Thanks for posting.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

ha. Sorry! Have you looked on Etsy? That's my go-to for patterns.

[@David1111608]

have you thought of releasing pdf's/files for some of what you make? I personally would love top get the files for the leather shaping set that made for the ruger mk magazines.

[@bander1023]

Silly question - how do you clean up the char marks on the leather after cutting? They always look perfectly clean when you start working with them. I see you wiping the cut pieces down, but I’m not sure with what. Is it IPA?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I just use a damp sponge. Thanks for subscribing!

[@Tammy-un3ql]

👍👍👌👌

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@Bagmaker0]

Nice🎉🎉🎉

[@christiandelestrade2980]

Do you use waxed tread when stitching by hand ?.And what thread # 207 more?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

It's Ritza Tiger 0.8 thread. Colonial tan color. Thanks for subscribing!

[@mikerichards6311]

🤔😍👍👏🏻

[@dodgesportsman772]

Ok... Take my money!!! How can I buy one,?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing! I'm unable to take custom orders at the moment.

[@henningsand6171]

👌🇳🇴

[@user-bd5fy3ev1l]

Hello, how can I order a Puma White Hunter sheath from you? willy

[@grisseldog]

How can I contact you for an order???

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Hi. Thanks for subscribing. I'm not able to take custom orders at the moment.

[@lowellfunk8974]

Just from looking at the thumbnail, I wouldn't buy or pay for that holster. For the very simple reason that the front sight is going to hook on it every time you try to draw it. 😢 Other than that it is a beautiful thing.

[@twinhillscreations1525]

Legitimate concern, but where the two halves join, a “V” is formed and It appears the front sight will follow in that V channel. That’s how I see it anyway.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Haven't noticed it doing that. Maybe as it wears? Will let you know if it does.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

What he said. :)

[@N98858]

Yikes... Your Leather Working Prowess is Exemplary!!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!