Gunbelt for fluctuating waist...

[Dwight]

2 hours ago, ZARDOZ the GREAT said:

Can you tell me what leather weight you prefer for the belt and the lining? I think I have 8 ounce and also 2 or 3 ounce. Seems like a money belt also saves in material.

I understand you don;t like them, but do you know if money belts also need to be curved?

Regards,

Me

My gun belts are all of 7/8 oz leather . . . exactly 8 oz is 1/8 of an inch . . . so a double layer is 1/4 inch if both pieces were a full 8 oz.  Usually the leather I get tends to be a bit shy . . . so my total thickness usually runs in the .200 inches or thereabouts.  I generally cut both pieces from the same hide . . . if there are any small blemishes . . . they go to the inside.

And yes . . . if the money belt were curved . . . it would fit better.  The last couple I made were of 5/6 oz and I did them rough out . . . so they would cling a bit better to the wearer.  Again I did not get any complaints . . .  but I'm sure I know what happened . . . they cinched them up good and tight to start with . . . and the body heat and perspiration tended to re-mold them . . . similar to that which occurs with regular work belts.  

I've played a bit with using two different thicknesses . . . and never really liked the feel or the look . . . just one of those things on me.  The big aggravation is that using a thinner lining . . . it will tend to bubble and buckle . . . looking wrinkled . . . I try to stay away from that look.

May God bless,

Dwight

 

[ZARDOZ the GREAT]

1 minute ago, Dwight said:

My gun belts are all of 7/8 oz leather . . . exactly 8 oz is 1/8 of an inch . . . so a double layer is 1/4 inch if both pieces were a full 8 oz.  Usually the leather I get tends to be a bit shy . . . so my total thickness usually runs in the .200 inches or thereabouts.  I generally cut both pieces from the same hide . . . if there are any small blemishes . . . they go to the inside.

And yes . . . if the money belt were curved . . . it would fit better.  The last couple I made were of 5/6 oz and I did them rough out . . . so they would cling a bit better to the wearer.  Again I did not get any complaints . . .  but I'm sure I know what happened . . . they cinched them up good and tight to start with . . . and the body heat and perspiration tended to re-mold them . . . similar to that which occurs with regular work belts.  

I've played a bit with using two different thicknesses . . . and never really liked the feel or the look . . . just one of those things on me.  The big aggravation is that using a thinner lining . . . it will tend to bubble and buckle . . . looking wrinkled . . . I try to stay away from that look.

May God bless,

Dwight

 

Interesting.

Thanks!

I have a bullet belt that has no liner. I like that the inside is kind of rough because it seems to help in staying put.

I'll have to see which way I go in that regard.

Thank you!

 

[ZARDOZ the GREAT]

Just to be sure: please correct me if I am wrong or missing anything...

When cutting/sizing the gun belt, what I understand is to add four inches to the regular belt/waist measurement, so a size 40 would be a 44. Is this correct?

This measurement, from what I understand, is from the belt buckle, where the prong touches the frame of the buckle? Or is it from the center bar of the buckle? to the center hole of the belt billet?

I figure there should be some overlap of the belt body. Please advise.

As of now I cut a 3"x59" belt blank. Waiting to hear back so I can cut correctly. Thank you.

PS.

I am wondering if I should take off a 1/2" to make it a 2.5" instead of a 3". Concern is that the belt and holster already have a little play, and  the holster may travel with the gun for an inch or so as it is drawn. Obviously, removing a half inch from the belt width will aggravate that. Although I imagine the friction against the body will likely prevent that.

The belts in these photos seem to have a curve, and they also look "soft", flexible, especially the one on the right. I though it was a money belt but when zoomed in, as it goes through the holster, it looks like a regular thick leather belt.

 

 

Edited February 4, 2024 by ZARDOZ the GREAT

[Dwight]

Unless requested by the buyer . . . I only make 2 1/2 belts.

Adding 4 inches is the "standard" . . . and it don't make any difference where or how you measure it . . . so long as the regular belt the buyer wears and the gun belt are measured the same way.  Measure the buyer's belt to the "most used" hole . . . it'll be the one that is wallered out.

But as a practice . . . I always measure from the edge of the buckle . . . 

That does not appear to be a money belt . . . but most of the reason it curves is his pizza belly and the weight of the cartridges.  They are some kind of heavy when you put a bunch on a belt like he has.

The holster can be stopped from pulling up with a thigh strap . . . or sometimes folks will sew in an extra piece of leather that goes up and pushes against the belt so the holster can't pull up.

May God bless,

Dwight

[ZARDOZ the GREAT]

10 hours ago, Dwight said:

Unless requested by the buyer . . . I only make 2 1/2 belts.

Adding 4 inches is the "standard" . . . and it don't make any difference where or how you measure it . . . so long as the regular belt the buyer wears and the gun belt are measured the same way.  Measure the buyer's belt to the "most used" hole . . . it'll be the one that is wallered out.

But as a practice . . . I always measure from the edge of the buckle . . . 

That does not appear to be a money belt . . . but most of the reason it curves is his pizza belly and the weight of the cartridges.  They are some kind of heavy when you put a bunch on a belt like he has.

The holster can be stopped from pulling up with a thigh strap . . . or sometimes folks will sew in an extra piece of leather that goes up and pushes against the belt so the holster can't pull up.

May God bless,

Dwight

Very good.

Makes sense!

Thank you!

Deus vult!