Last week in the home workshop

[Lobo]

Last week in the home workshop. As you can see, I have about 20 items in various stages of completion. I'll be moving into the new commercial shop over the next weekend, have a couple of work tables to move and a new bench to build (old one is built into the wall).

I've always stressed to customers (who chose to listen) the need for a good strong belt to properly support the weight of a holstered handgun and keep the holster positioned consistently. Some have listened, some have not. Quite a few have asked "So when are you going to start making belts?"

Listening to my customers, and never wanting to watch a dollar in profit go elsewhere, I finally started producing belts a few weeks ago. The belt that I am now marketing is a variation on the "Ranger" style, but instead of billets for the buckle I have extended a 1-inch width strap completely around the body over top of a 1.5" strap. Both straps are of 9-oz. shoulder, so this is one seriously strong belt!

Overall thickness is equal to 6 quarters stacked up alongside. I've been wearing one for several weeks, and it is very nice to be able to holster a full-sized 1911 pistol without having to tighten the belt to an uncomfortable degree to keep the holster in place and support the weight.

So far, since I have been offering the belt as a matching accessory, about 1 in 5 holster customers is buying a belt. So, I think I'll just keep making belts!

Photos:

1. side view

2. thickness

3. buckle area detail

4. current production laid out on dining room table while I apply finishes to the leather, and Budweiser to the applicator.

Since this one is equal to 6 quarters stacked up, I'm thinking of calling it the "Twelve Bit Belt". Working on a couple of other belt options, maybe they will be the "Eight Bit Belt" and the "Six Bit Belt".

No, twelve bits is not the price!

Edited March 11, 2009 by Lobo

[TrooperChuck]

I really like the belt! Good luck in your new shop.

[Go2Tex]

That is a fantastic idea on the full length billets. Very nice. Good luck on your new shop, too.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Nice looking belt, Lobo. I know you're new to belts, so I thought I would warn you - never sew perpendicular to the belt, either on the belt itself or a billet. The stress on the bekt may eventually cause it to "tear along the dotted line". One way to spot a quality ranger belt is to look whether the billet is sewn in a V or U shape, or if it is sewn straight across.

[dickf]

If I had a machine, I'd do the same thing, Lobo!

Your belt looks great, as do all of your products.

BOOMSTICK, do you mean the far left stitch in photo number 1? (I'm new to belt lingo!)

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

I mean the vertical stitching on the far right in photo #1.

[dickf]

Far right, I meant that - I totally understand why you said that.

[Bree]

Nice lookin belt. I love that workshop!! Looks like mine sometimes!!

Boomstick is right about the vertical sewing but in this case the vertical only extends across about 50-60% of the width of the belt. That reduces the weakness caused by sewing across the belt. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to not perforate a stressed member along the line of stress. It seldom helps and often becomes a point of failure.

[Lobo]

I understand what you good folks are saying about perforation weakening the axis of the leather at the stitching line. That said, all of my items are treated with neatsfoot oil compound for lasting protection (filling the leather fibers and voids and providing flexibility), so this concern is minimized. As further noted, there are only 4 stitches (approx. 0.66 inches) on the vertical lines, so the concern if further minimized.

What really minimizes the stress is the simple fact that this belt can be worn at a position requiring very little tightening to support the weight of a holstered handgun, simply because the mass and bulk of the belt provide all the support necessary without unduly stressing the belt.

The weight is carried by the underlying strap of 1.5" width. The overlying strap of 1.0" width serves primarily to provide for buckle attachment and reinforcement of the underlying strap.

This is one massively strong gunbelt.

Thanks for the comments. Selling like hotcakes, have to go pound some more out!

Edited March 12, 2009 by Lobo

[BruceGibson]

Nice looking belt, Lobo. I know you're new to belts, so I thought I would warn you - never sew perpendicular to the belt, either on the belt itself or a billet. The stress on the bekt may eventually cause it to "tear along the dotted line". One way to spot a quality ranger belt is to look whether the billet is sewn in a V or U shape, or if it is sewn straight across.

I think what Jeff's talking about is the "postage stamp" effect. And, I agree with him completely.

[Lobo]

Nice lookin belt. I love that workshop!! Looks like mine sometimes!!

Boomstick is right about the vertical sewing but in this case the vertical only extends across about 50-60% of the width of the belt. That reduces the weakness caused by sewing across the belt. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to not perforate a stressed member along the line of stress. It seldom helps and often becomes a point of failure.

Bree: My shop looks like yours? Are you a beer drinker too?

When I'm not pounding hides I like to pound the pavement with a 2001 Dyna Super Glide (not a good idea when I've been pounding hides and drinking Budweiser).

Enjoy your day!

[Leather Bum]

As usual, Lobo, your stuff looks very cool and well-done. Thanks for sharing.

How well do these 1-1/2" gun belts fit on regular pants. . .?

L'Bum

Edited March 12, 2009 by Leather Bum

[Lobo]

As usual, Lobo, your stuff looks very cool and well-done. Thanks for sharing.

How well do these 1-1/2" gun belts fit on regular pants. . .?

L'Bum

The 1.5" belt fits most typical belt loops. I have a few customers requesting a 1.25" overall width, which I shall be accomodating as needed.

The main thing is to have a belt that will support the holstered handgun without twisting or turning under the load, keeping the holster at a consistent position and angle without having to be unduly tightened to a degree that is uncomfortable to wear.

These are the factors I am attempting to address.

[Leather Bum]

Ok, thanks, Lobo; that sounds good. The reason I wondered is because I'm interested in building a heavy-duty 1.5" gun belt at some point, but was really uncertain as to how well these types of belts will fit on regular pants. . .

L'Bum

[LazyDave]

How thick is six quarters in Australian money with the current exchange rate?? (or in inches or mm)

Lazy Dave

[Bree]

Bree: My shop looks like yours? Are you a beer drinker too?

When I'm not pounding hides I like to pound the pavement with a 2001 Dyna Super Glide (not a good idea when I've been pounding hides and drinking Budweiser).

Enjoy your day!

Sorry for the late reply. Somehow I lost track of this thread.

LOL! Sometimes my shop looks just like that! I drag stuff over to the kitchen table and start whacking away or put the newspaper out so I don't dye the table. But I am supposed to keep my stuff in the real shop or in the sewing room.

Now as far as the Bud goes... those days are over for me. I certainly had my share of tall frosty ones and many other insane concoctions. But I gave it up some years ago and don't drink alcohol anymore. Watch out or you might get a TWI... Tooling While Intoxicated!

Super Glide is a great Glide. I almost bought one. I am riding a Wide Glide and I do love it so. Just had new Progressive shocks put on along new motor mounts and floating rotors. Bike rode very very nicely down through the mountains of Central PA on my vacation.

PS... that belt is still pretty cool. EZ to eliminate the vertical stitch. Not surprised that you are selling a lot of them. BTW... I took some bullhide and cut a pattern to make myself a replacement for my Desantis Nemesis holster for my P3AT. I extended the pattern so I can slip in an extra mag and make it fit a little more snugly in the pocket. I'm going to vinegaroon it and maybe tool it to give the grain a little more traction. I'll post a PIC when I get finished. Not sure when that will be but it is a project in queue. I have been busy fooling around with my new lathe making pens and stuff. Just built a new pen press last night. Wood and leather go together somehow though I'm not totally sure exactly how!