antipaladin Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Anyone have any experience making western style belts? I'm specifically trying to make a 3" cartridge belt for a single action revolver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$$hobby Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Anyone have any experience making western style belts? I'm specificallytrying to make a 3" cartridge belt for a single action revolver. theres a good book on making holster/belts. "How to make Holsters" by Al Stohlman. there are also pattern books out there too. It all depends on what style holster you want. Dusty Johnson has a DVD out that covers Holster too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickybobby Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Al Stohlmans book is a very good source, especially for your first attempt. Also get John Bianchi's "holster making" video. These were very helpful to me. The finishing touches that Bianchi's video shares are a big help. Rick Jorgenson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robert Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Will Ghormley has patterns that I have had great success with, both for gunbelts and for holsters, even for a carrying case for a rifle. I dont know if tandy or hidecrafter still carry them, but thats where i got them a few years ago. http://www.willghormley-maker.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antipaladin Report post Posted June 21, 2008 I don't have a single piece of leather long enough for an entire cartridge belt. Is there a good/strong way to sew two pieces together lengthwise? I thought about using a thin piece of rawhide to cover the seam on both sides of the belt and sewing it down the width on each side? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted June 21, 2008 I don't think you would be happy with it, but if you placed the seam and wrapped the leather completely around the belt where the holster would sit it might work ok. I have read that a maker would sometimes put extra thickness in this area to support the added weight of a large pistol. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
custom79 Report post Posted June 22, 2008 (edited) I've had tremendous success with Will Ghormley's patterns as well. They are clear and complete, but Will does specify that some basic knowledge of leatherwork is needed. I believe I have all but one or two of the set. That's where the recommendation for Al Stohlman's books comes in. There are a great many to choose from and they cover everything including basic carving and holster making. Then pick up one or two of Will's patterns and go to it. The great thing is that once you are comfortable with making a piece, you can make changes to the designs he has provided you to come up with your own design. Good luck. Regards. C79 Edited June 22, 2008 by custom79 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rancher Report post Posted June 23, 2008 I'd get a longer piece of leather and do it right, I think. If the belt is for your own personal use and you don't mind using it that way I would think about skiving down each side a few inches back from each end and overlapping them. Make long, sloping, even skives on both pieces so that the skived part when put together will equal the thickness of the rest of the belt. Glue it together and then glue it to a liner and sew it together. I think joining it together as a butt joint and trying to hold it together with a piece sewn over it won't work very well. If you can, position the joint where your cartridge loops will go over it and camoflage it somewhat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indypbear Report post Posted June 23, 2008 Antipaladin, Check out the books/patterns and a video by Jim Simmons. The book for construction techniques is YeeHaa! The pattern paks and video are available at Hide Crafter. The Will Ghormley patterns are still available at Tandy. All are good when you apply your own skills to them. Happy toolin' Indy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCOUTER Report post Posted June 24, 2008 Learn from the best- John Bianchi- Nobody does it better... DVDs available from smartflix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Acadialeatherworks Report post Posted June 25, 2008 If you absolutely must splice, (which I don't recommend if you can avoid it) I would skive at least 3" on both sides, and add a liner if possible to strengthen it even more. then glue and stitch. A little hint on skiving long pieces for overlapp, use a belt sander or something similar, it takes some practice to not overdo it, but it works great, you can get a perfect taper up to about 8-10" if you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipj Report post Posted June 25, 2008 (edited) I have a number of videos on holster making and John Bianch's are the best in my opinion. If for no other reason they are longer and go into more detail in the process. They are on multiple DVD's. I don't have Jim Simmons video so I can't speak for it. SkipJ Edited June 25, 2008 by skipj Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
viejo Report post Posted July 7, 2008 (edited) Anyone have any experience making western style belts? I'm specificallytrying to make a 3" cartridge belt for a single action revolver. You mean like these? Edited July 7, 2008 by viejo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
