Members jt1 Posted July 29, 2009 Members Report Posted July 29, 2009 Tried to search this but didn't find what I was looking for. I'm cutting belt slots in double layer 7/8 for OWB holsters and not having very good luck, I have tried using a round knife, razor knife and Exacto but I cannot get square sides/round ends or consistent results. What are some methods that work to give good, consistent slots? And how to burnish them? Thx. jt Quote As Always jt
Contributing Member Regis Posted July 29, 2009 Contributing Member Report Posted July 29, 2009 I eventually bought a slot punch. BUT, before that, Luke taught me to use a round punch on both ends and then razer knife each side (using steel rule). Give you a nice slot and doesn't even take much practice to get them right. Regis Quote God, Family, and Country (although liberals are attempting to destroy these in the USA)
Members gary Posted July 29, 2009 Members Report Posted July 29, 2009 I sometimes use a round punch for the ends and then a wood chisel to cut between them to make the slots. It's okay using a 3/4" chisel - I don't know if a wider chisel would be better or worse. Gary Quote
MADMAX22 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Posted July 29, 2009 Im with gary on this one. So far I picked up a pack of the assorted wood chisel (they are pretty heavy duty) and they will slice thru leather like noones business. Punch a hole at each end then use the chisel, I make sire the flat part of the chisel is pointed out toward the work. THis isnt a perfect solution as I usually end up cleaning it up a tad with the xacto where the chisel and hole punch marks line up but other then that it looks pretty darn good. Quote
Members BOOMSTICKHolsters Posted July 30, 2009 Members Report Posted July 30, 2009 I used to use a bag punch to punch my slots, but it was too narrow for gun belts as it was. I had to punch it twice and clean up the ends with a 3/8" hole punch before following it all with a 1/4" sanding drum to even things up. I finally ordered a slot punch from Texas Custom Dies in the dimensions I wanted, and I wish I would have done that a long time ago. It was worth twice the cost to save all that time! Quote
Members Shorts Posted July 30, 2009 Members Report Posted July 30, 2009 I still do the round punch on the ends and a bag punch in the middle, twice. Bag punch is 1.25". Anyway, I'm biding my time until I buy a good slot punch. I can't wrap my head around the cost of them though LOL Might have to do like Jeff and get a custom one done so the width is there too. Quote
Members dickf Posted July 30, 2009 Members Report Posted July 30, 2009 I tried a chisel months ago and it seems to work okay. I just clean up the interior of the slot with a sander on a Dremel. Quote US GUNLEATHER www.usgunleather.com twitter.com/usgunleather facebook.com/USGUNLEATHER
Lobo Posted July 30, 2009 Report Posted July 30, 2009 The specialty punches are best for volume production. For the occasional job, or hobbyist producing a holster for personal use, a sharp wood chisel and 1/4" round punch can produce neat clean slots quickly and easily. After cutting run your edge beveler around the new edges, dampen the leather slightly, and burnish with a wooden dowel chucked into a drill press or drill. Total process can be done in less time than it takes to describe it. Quote Lobo Gun Leather serious equipment for serious business, since 1972 www.lobogunleather.com
Members jt1 Posted July 31, 2009 Author Members Report Posted July 31, 2009 Thanks for all the replies ...I tried the chisel and punch method and it turned out a perfect slot for me on the first try, with a little practice It should be quite acceptable. I can see where a slot punch would be a better alternative, I will order a few once I settle on some standard sizes. Now to do a few tests to see if it is better to stitch around the slot before or after cutting, or see if it makes any difference... Quote As Always jt
Lobo Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 Thanks for all the replies ...I tried the chisel and punch method and it turned out a perfect slot for me on the first try, with a little practice It should be quite acceptable. I can see where a slot punch would be a better alternative, I will order a few once I settle on some standard sizes. Now to do a few tests to see if it is better to stitch around the slot before or after cutting, or see if it makes any difference... One aspect not mentioned yet: when cutting slots the required size can vary depending upon the angle of the belt as it passes through the slot. If the belt slot is cut exactly perpendicular to the axis of the belt, a 1.5" slot will be just right for a 1.5" belt. If the angle of the slot to the belt varies, the overall length of the slot will require adjustment. For what it may be worth. Quote Lobo Gun Leather serious equipment for serious business, since 1972 www.lobogunleather.com
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