Smugglers Holster
v 1.0
Updates
So, it has been a few weeks and many of you may be wondering where things are at. Well, I thought I would take a few moments to bring you up to speed, let you know the plans, and some of the issues I've run into.
The Power of Costume
My parents decided to sell their winter home in Mesa, so I have been tasked to drive down from Canada and pick up a few things they would like to keep. The annoying part is that I will be away from my computer for a few weeks. The great part is that I will be heading through Seattle, which is hosting a Star Wars costume exhibit.
Looking through some photos taken, it appears there is a Han Solo costume on display, that should provide me with great reference photos for the pouches, behind the buckle, and the disk.
This is a great, and well timed opportunity.
Materials & Tests
I have been attempting do do some tests to make sure that the patterns I've been creating, actually work on real materials. The information and research I've been gathering has taken a lot of time, and I wanted to make sure everything was accurate before I release it to you guys.
Unfortunately, the leather supply place that has been here since 1954 or something, upped and moved in the last few months. I only found out when I walked up to the store and saw it abandoned with nothing more than a sign saying, "We've moved...email me." It turns out that they moved up island, and are no longer carrying leather supplies.
Fortunately, Phoenix has two Tandy leather stores, and so I will be picking up a LOT of it when I'm down there for the many projects I've been thinking of making. This will also allow me to test the patterns further.
Pattern Status
One of the most frustrating parts of this project has been the slow stream of information I find.
For example, I have had the "hooks" done for weeks. As I started gathering information about various metals and their properties, I realized that my patterns were wrong. Multiple metal and jewelry working forums confirmed that my patterns, once bent would not result in what I was attempting to create. This meant learning bend tolerances, doing math, and even getting a professional engineer to recreate the patterns in software called Solidworks, to determine where my patterns were wrong.
I have also had to backtrack and change a lot of the patterns after realizing that each version of the holsters actually have a lot of subtle differences that I never noticed the first time round. The changes were also different enough that I couldn't simply pawn off some shoddy pattern and say, "close enough".
Not that I would do that anyway. I can't very well claim to have created the most accurate pattern and then say, "good enough."
Another issue has been that creating accurate patterns based off of 2D, digital versions can be very difficult. As such, I have been ordering various parts, and have the following coming in the mail:
- Denix Mauser
- 2 Packages of Vintage C02 cartridges
- Revel V8 motor model
I'm hoping that these help me to better determine if my pattern is accurate as the multiple physical parts will give me a better source for measuring all the details.
So, that is why the updates have appeared to have stopped. Much of the work I've been doing isn't really worth posting, or not information that I can easily post at this point.
Questions & Issues
Now that you guys are up to speed. The following are the current questions that I must solve.
-- Button Pouch Size --
I realized the other day that the button pouch does not appear to be the same width or depth as the other pouches. This was my fault as I assumed they were, which I really need to make a better effort to avoid.
Ideally, what would be of huge help is if you have time, take a look at all three versions and send me a PM with your results for what you feel the width and depth are.
The reason I ask that you send me a PM is that I would like to see what everyone comes to without being persuaded by others in this post. I will post everyones results after, but I would like to see how close everyone comes to what I have determined If we all independently come up with similar measurements, then we can assume we're probably pretty close.
-- Blaster Length --
As I mentioned I recently ordered a Denix Mauser. I do know that they are slightly smaller than the actual pistol, but because this version is probably the what most of us will likely be able to afford/obtain, I am basing my pattern on that. Yes, I know it isn't 100% screen accurate, but unless someone is willing to lend me a genuine Mauser while I'm in the USA so I can measure every square inch, it just isn't practical to use that as the model.
That said, I am having a lot of trouble determining the different barrel lengths for the different versions of the blaster. The model I am using in my pattern is supposed to be a 1:1 version of the ESB blaster. The problem is that I don't have any really good measurements for the others.
So, if you have one, or know of a place where I can get some really in depth information, it would be a huge help.
-- Greeblies ---
I am in real need of the most up to date, and accurate information regarding the Greeblies for the different versions of the holster. I know of the C02 and the Revel parts, but the rest I'm having a lot of trouble finding good information about, or at least high quality images.
Whats Next?
As I mentioned I will be gone for the next few weeks. I will be working on the pattern during that time, but there won't be any updates.
When I get back, I will have the blaster, Greeblies, leather, and metals in hand which will help me move forward, and provide you guys with some nice visuals to check out.
I will also be done the written part of the pattern, which will leave me with only some final pattern pieces, a few illustrations, and some bits and pieces left.
Also....
I wanted to mention that if by chance the Ep. 7 holster is different/updated I will be releasing an update to this pattern ASAP so you guys can get ready for the conventions and such.
See you in a few weeks.