Peterk Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Hello all, I started making holsters about a month ago and am having a great time with it. I've just sold my 6th holster today to another happy customer... But now I have a problem (sort of)... A member of a gun forum I belong to just saw one of my posts of my holsters, and wanted to know if I can make him a leather tool belt patterned after a canvas one he loves. I wanted to tell him no, but a part of me also wanted to give it a try. So my question is, where do I begin? So far I've only been dealing with 7 - 8oz veg-tanned leather, but somehow I don't believe this will cut it for an electrian's tool belt. I figure this belt will have to withstand extreme temperatures, moisture, and constant prodding and poking by sharp tools... If anyone here has made a tool belt before please share with me, for the very least, the type of leather I really need to work with, and any tips of how to construct this thing. Since this person has a canvas one he would like me to model after, I figure I can just cut the threads so I can get all the pieces to pattern after. Any help would be great! I'd hate to say no to someone in need... Thanks. Peter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Howdy I have made many pouches for tool belts but not a belt I have used 10/11 oz wich is pretty stout stuff and my pouches have been formed to the tool, I have seen and done these pouches in vegy tanned and chrome tanned, latigo in other words hope this helps. Joshua Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterk Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Thanks jbird! I think what the customer wants is a combo, like those you can find at Home Depot or hardward supply shops where the belt and pouches are all sewn together already. I was thinking of Latigo since it has quite a bit of oil in it already (correct?) to fight off the moisture and cracking problem, but not sure if it will hold shape like the veg-tanned leather I am familiar with. 10 - 11oz is stout! Not sure if I can handle cutting that... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Every tool belt that I have scene for this type of thing is generally atleast 8oz if not more like 10oz stuff. If you want the most longest lasting till the end of time thing then some kind of bridle leather, latigo or something similer will do the trick and put up with allmost anything being thrown at it. You could use vegtan also just like you do for your holsters and such and it should hold up for many many years if taken care of which Im sure he will. As far as replecating the other one just let him know that it wont be all floppy like the canvas one and that it will hold its shape more and all since its leather. You could cut up the canvas one but personally I would just measure all the pockets and transfer the idea to leather with allowances for thickness and such. If you have al stohlmans case making books (three of them) they will help alot, if not you may think about checking those guys out. Thats just my newbish input, but if you can build nice holster Im sure you can build a utility belt just fine. Time to learn some more stuff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Another factor to consider for him is weight. It is going to weigh more than his canvas set. The biggest thing for you to consider is pricing. These can take a lot of time to cut and put together if they have many formed pouches. They also tend to eat up more material than you think. The longest wearing ones I have done were made with apron splits. I made my last ones 3 years ago and will never do a set again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted January 13, 2009 That's a good point Bruce makes I have had people ask me to do a tool belt and not just formed pouches or what not but I say you should buy one from home depot because it will cost you double and I won't break even when you count your labor. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterk Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Yeah so far I told him basically that I can't promise him anything but that I will give it consideration. My customer's main thing is that he has never found a quality leather one from hardware stores, and now that he has found a canvas one with designs he likes, he would like one in leather. I have been troubling over pricing also, since I may need to invest in either some heavy gauge veg-tan, or latigo leather, which I may not use ever again (left overs) except for some very specialized projects, and I don't really want to have that stuff laying around. I will have to give this some more thought... Thanks all for your input. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikti Report post Posted January 13, 2009 Another thing to consider is how much weight will it be expected to hold. My tool belt has a pouch for each hip and when it's loaded it's good 15-20 lbs., and I still carry 2 more tool bags-o-stuff. I would see about finding the lightest leather that will work with the amount of weight that it will be expected to hold and don't be afraid to use rivets at the stress points, I would say that those are a must. If you are looking to purchase a pattern you could try Bighousedaddy Leather. I haven't bought any of his patterns yet but I know that he does have a tool pouch pattern. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cybertracy Report post Posted January 14, 2009 I purchased the electrician's and carpenter's tool belt patterns from Bighousedaddy and they're great starting patterns and easy to follow. Good foundation to then customize your own. Big plus you buy them and download them instantly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
