First Belt after a visit to the hospital!

[LMullins]

About two months ago I had cut my thumb because I was in a rush while cutting out a belt. I had a stressful workday, and just needed to get a commission done. 
 

I was unable to use my thumb, and as a result; I was unable to do any leatherwork. In the meantime, I was studying ways to improve my work.

I started working on carving, and adding more customizable options to my work. Among those customizations was one from a customer, and that was lettering.

 

Now, I've tooled a lot of belts before; but I never got a request for lettering until now. So naturally I picked up a set, and made a test piece.

It was a little tricky, but I got the spacing just right after measuring probably 4 times over just to make sure it ended up center-back.

I stamped out a little decorative basketweave to warm up my dexterity, and I also managed to hand-stitch this belt. 
 

I punched the holes using a Tippman Boss and then did a saddle-stitch by hand. I used a power burnisher on the edges and then finished up by hand. 
 

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the result. This was meant as a test piece but turned into a functional, quality belt. 
 

Going forward, I would have used a different top coat as this one had discolored the lettering and turned the white into a cream-like color.

 

Just remember that leatherwork is a marathon— not a race. Rushing and becoming careless is a recipe for injury. Don't underestimate your tools, they are made for cutting leather, and humans are just thin wet leather.

Let me know what you think, thanks for reading!

 

Edited 8 hours ago by LMullins

[Littlef]

22 minutes ago, LMullins said:

About two months ago I had cut my thumb because I was in a rush while cutting out a belt. I had a stressful workday, and just needed to get a commission done. 
 

I was unable to use my thumb, and as a result; I was unable to do any leatherwork. In the meantime, I was studying ways to improve my work.

I started working on carving, and adding more customizable options to my work. Among those customizations was one from a customer, and that was lettering.

 

Now, I've tooled a lot of belts before; but I never got a request for lettering until now. So naturally I picked up a set, and made a test piece.

It was a little tricky, but I got the spacing just right after measuring probably 4 times over just to make sure it ended up center-back.

I stamped out a little decorative basketweave to warm up my dexterity, and I also managed to hand-stitch this belt. 
 

I punched the holes using a Tippman Boss and then did a saddle-stitch by hand. I used a power burnisher on the edges and then finished up by hand. 
 

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the result. This was meant as a test piece but turned into a functional, quality belt. 
 

Going forward, I would have used a different top coat as this one had discolored the lettering and turned the white into a cream-like color.

 

Just remember that leatherwork is a marathon— not a race. Rushing and becoming careless is a recipe for injury. Don't underestimate your tools, they are made for cutting leather, and humans are just thin wet leather.

Let me know what you think, thanks for reading!

 

That’s good clean work.  Well done. 

[LMullins]

1 hour ago, Littlef said:

That’s good clean work.  Well done. 

Thanks! I forgot to include it in the post, but the keeper is attached with Chicago screws and has adjustable positions.

 

[AlZilla]

Letters are just a challenge. A friend of mine carves them by hand and does beautiful work. 

I'm curious why you didn't just thread the Boss up and sew it? Aesthetics?

[SUP]

That's beautiful. I like the colors you have selected.

1 hour ago, LMullins said:

but the keeper is attached with Chicago screws and has adjustable positions.

And I like this idea. I'm going to do that on all my belts. I have made several for family and friends. This will keep their belt keepers getting lost and their coming back for replacements.

[TonyV]

Yeah, lettering is a challenge, especially at first.  Spacing, centering, whether to use decorative cuts or not, stamps or freehand... A body could use up a couple good bellies practicing.

Glad you're back in action. I'd wear that belt, but my name ain't Mullins

Edited 3 hours ago by TonyV

[LMullins]

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

Letters are just a challenge. A friend of mine carves them by hand and does beautiful work. 

I'm curious why you didn't just thread the Boss up and sew it? Aesthetics?

You remembered I have a boss, I applaud your memory! 

So, reason why is because I currently have the Boss set up for 2-3oz of 8 oz since I've been cranking out a lot of sheathes, and I did not want to dial it out of my current adjustment.

I've been really liking the Tippmann and the folks on here really helped me when I started  

 

I'm looking to purchase a Cobra Class 26 specifically for belts.

[LMullins]

1 hour ago, SUP said:

That's beautiful. I like the colors you have selected.

And I like this idea. I'm going to do that on all my belts. I have made several for family and friends. This will keep their belt keepers getting lost and their coming back for replacements.

If you plan on using Chicago screws, I advise you use a dab of Fiebing's leathercraft cement.

 

I've had Chicago's back out on me at unfortunate timing, but the dab of glue helps provide enough resistance to keep it inside, but not too much that you can't get them out.

 

if you do unscrew with the glue, it will resist and then *click* and unthread.