a few gun belts

[BruceGibson]

I thought I'd post a few gun belts for review. And it gives me a chance to practice trying to learn to post pictures on the forum. That's dang-near a lost cause, but I'll keep on trying...anyway, y'all take a look if you have a minute, and please post an opinion--good, or bad.

Remember, if it's good, you can't say enough. If it's bad, you've already said too much.

[rharris]

Bruce

Nice looking belts. Where do you get your buckles, sure like them.

Russ

[rdb]

Classy looking!

Can't see how you end your foldback around the buckle. Is the keeper stitched into the belt, or sewed around, if you get what I mean?

[Luke Hatley]

BRUCE, belts look great, i like the holes in the black one

and i also want to know where you got the buckles.

[Jordan]

Exellente! do you find that round holes work better than oval? I found that oval allows the belt to lay flatter. I also like the buckles, they look very solid, with a really good finish. Most I see available are rather flimsy and have very poor plating(read 3rd world mass production). Is that 2 layers of the same thickness or 1 with a liner? I hope I can sew that well eventually. Also I am curious as to price I would guess around $120. All in all very nice work ... enough of my rambling...makes me want to get back to work on my basement, so I can generate lots of scrap LOL Jordan

[Regis]

Bruce,

Now that is some awesome stitching. Do you use a foot that goes into the stitching groove? Or are you just that steady? Is your belt loop sewn in or is it loose? Glad you took the time to post these.

Thanks,

Regis

[johnny7]

Very, very nice.

[BruceGibson]

Thanks, everybody.

The buckles are from Weaver Leather. You can find them at Weaver Leather--Supply.

I like 'em because they're real heavy brass--either polished brass, or polished chrome brass. They come in either 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" sizes.

The buckles are attached with Chicago screws.

The leather keepers are not attached to the belts--they float freely between the two Chicago screws. I hand-sew them, versus stapling, out of personal preference.

As most of the regulars here know, I use the Artisan Toro 4000-P. I love that machine. It's basically a bigger version of the Toro 3000, another awesome stitcher. Matter of fact, I'll probably get a 3000 to add to the collection--you can check out the whole line of Artisan equipment at Artisan. They are some fine folks, and I promise--I don't get any commissions. (I need to call Jerry and have a talk about that). :angel_not:

Regis,

Thank you for the kind words on the stitching. I have a whole box of stuff that I've goofed up over the years, and no doubt much more to come. I don't use the machine every day, like most Makers, so I spend a bit of time sewing scrap pieces of equal thickness before I put the needle to a project.

I'm no expert on stitching, or stitchers, but it's been my experience that the first thing you should do after oiling, making sure your bobbin's full, and that you have smooth thread flow, is to stitch a while on some scrap pieces. Doing this allows me to get back "in the groove" and also to check my stitch length, tensions, etc. It may be Murphy's Law, but any time I shortcut around the practice pieces, something goes South on me and I wind up with a major goof.

As for stitching straight, I make sure the reading glasses are poised securely at the end of my nose, and that the lighting is where I need it.

I don't cut a stitch groove on belts, but I do use my calipers to draw, or pull a stitch line. I press pretty hard so there actually is a crease for the stitching to lay in, but I don't cut the leather like I would on a saddle skirt or flat plate rigging. I don't use a mechanical guide, but I do rely pretty heavily on my right thumb to keep the leather down. I work real close to the needle and just tick along following my caliper line.

Jordan,

The buckle holes on these are oval. The reason for that is the buckle set I used has a real thick partial tongue. And it's almost shaped like a shark's tooth. A round hole would work, but the oval does a better job. As for price, these are $89.95, which is right in the ballpark, or mid-range for these. Some are a little lower, and some a little higher.

I hope that answered everybody's questions, and again, much obliged for the kind words.

[yaklady]

If I was CSI, I could tell who you are by the reflection in the buckle!

Kathy

[BruceGibson]

Yep! That's me...the skinny guy in the Wranglers, with the digital camera.

I sure do love technology!

[Srigs]

Bruce you sure do make some good looking belts. One day maybe I can do one half that professional. :scratchhead:

[Guest]

Bruce,

That is really some amazing work. I like em. I like em. I like em. It looks like you have two pieces the same thickness, what thickness are they, If you don't mind me asking?

I do like those.....

Dave

Gotta get me one of those machines....and practice practice practice