Cutting Belt Slots

[jt1]

...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.

Yes, I learned that the hard way, as with most things I learn...as well as the thicker the belt the wider the slot needs to be, pretty much a trial and error thing. It occurs to me with a slot punch it would be fairly easy to make the slot a bit longer, less so to make it wider. The punch/chisel thing is working well after about ten pratice slots...

[Bronson]

I have a 1.5 inch slot punch and honestly the thing is such a bear to hammer through two layers of leather that I've been using it to mark the slot and cutting it out with an xacto knife. It is also just barely wide enough for my gun belt.

I've recently purchased a 1.5 inch wood chisel and I'm hoping it will be easier to cut the slots with the round punch & chisel method. It will also give me the freedom to easily have longer or wider slots as needed.

Bronson

[Lobo]

I have a 1.5 inch slot punch and honestly the thing is such a bear to hammer through two layers of leather that I've been using it to mark the slot and cutting it out with an xacto knife. It is also just barely wide enough for my gun belt.

I've recently purchased a 1.5 inch wood chisel and I'm hoping it will be easier to cut the slots with the round punch & chisel method. It will also give me the freedom to easily have longer or wider slots as needed.

Bronson

Bronson:

For a 1.5" belt slot oriented 90-degrees to the belt I found that a 1/4" hole punch and a 1.25" wood chisel worked very well.

If the belt slot needs to be angled it will need to be somewhat longer, so the 1.5" wood chisel works better with one cut.

A 1" chisel may be used for just about all belt slots, with multiple cuts, but this frequently leaves more clean-up work in the cut hole.

Hope this helps.

[Shorts]

Total process can be done in less time than it takes to describe it.

Maybe for you two handed types

[jt1]

Maybe for you two handed types

If I had three hands I might be able to match the quality of your work...

[$$hobby]

if youre just going to make 1 or 2 and thats it, the hole and chisel/knife is okay. but if youre going to do more of it then, get the right tool for the job. it will save you time in the long run.

[courtney]

I bought a real expensive slot punch and I hate it! maybe on light leather it would be great but on belts I punch holes and cut with a stanley knife. I think thats what Al Stohlman says.