Tooling And Stamping On 2 Layer Gunbelts

[Alamo]

Howdy!

Just a quick questions for anyone who has tooled a gunbelt before. Do you tool the belt, and then glue and sew the two pieces together, or do you glue and sew the belt together and then stamp and tool the belt?

Thanks in advance!

Alamo

Edited March 11, 2013 by Alamo

[Cyberthrasher]

I've never done a gun belt, but you pretty much always tool first, then dye, then assemble.

[Alamo]

Thanks!

It seems as though I forgot to use the search function to see if anyone before me had the same problem, and sure enough, tool first and assemble later

Thanks again for the help! I'll be sure to post pics when it's all done

[Cyberthrasher]

Thanks again for the help! I'll be sure to post pics when it's all done

Sounds like a plan

[Dwight]

My two layer gun belts are my exception to the rule cyberthrasher mentioned. Wallets, guitar straps, "most" holsters, mag carriers, knive sheaths, . . . yessir, . . . he's got it on the money.

Double layer gun belts get the stamping treatment last, . . . and it is simple laziness on my part. I sometimes screw up an otherwise good belt, . . . and if I took the time to stamp it, decorate it, dye it, paint it, . . . woo-hoo, . . . would I be mad.

Sooooooo, . . . haveing been there, done that, . . . stamping is last. Stamping can sometimes also change the overall shape of the piece of leather you originally had cut out, . . . I never experience that on this kind of belt.

But, . . . it's no biggee either way, . . . do what you are comfortable with. That's one of the things I really like about leather work, . . . you can kinda make up your own rules as you go, . . . no pun intended, . . . but concrete work for example is kinda set in stone if you know what I mean.

My process is: cut blanks, form ends for buckle and tongue ends as needed

Check for decorative stitching, . . . it would be done here as it only is done to the outside piece, . . . also this is where the buckle end and tongue would be sewn on for a ranger type belt.

Next, glue blanks together, sand and edge the edges of the belt, stitch gouge both sides do a first burnish on the edges. DON"T dye the edges yet.

If it is a white stitch belt, . . . do not stitch here. If it is NOT a white stitch belt, . . . sew that rascal up right here.

Stamp & tool to your hear's content, . . . antique, paint, dye, do all that decorative "stuff" to it.

Do a final, . . . really good edge burnish here, . . . then apply the first coat of the final finish.

If you haven't done so, . . . sew it up here. Apply final finish coat, . . . smile, . . . you are finished.

May God bless,

Dwight

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited March 11, 2013 by Dwight

[Alamo]

Well, I'm currently at my work table and half way through stamping the belt. I did put packing tape on the back side to hopefully keep my belt from stretching. Thanks for your input! Depending on how this belt comes out, I may try out your method next time

[dirtclod]

I think you find trying to stamp it after it's glued doesn't work very well. Try it on some scrap first.

[Cyberthrasher]

So, Dwight, where do you screw up if you tool first and then assemble?

Is it just the changing of shape? A lot of the gunbelts I see are 8 oz and up, which I've never really had deform on me while tooling. Honestly, since I would leave the back layer big and trim it after gluing, I would be scared of accidentally cutting into the tooled layer

[Alamo]

For any of y'all who might be interested in the finished product, I posted it on the critique my work section

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=46573