Belt slots

[Shorts]

I'm wanting to purchase a punch badly. Up to this point I do the punch two holes and then clutch out the center with a straight edge. But I'm getting tired of that and think I could make much cleaner holes using a (oval? oblong?) punch.

What do you use? I make my slots at 1.5" size.

[Luke Hatley]

Shorts an 1 1/2" Bag punch is what to get.

[Shorts]

I'm wanting to purchase a punch badly. Up to this point I do the punch two holes and then clutch out the center with a straight edge. But I'm getting tired of that and think I could make much cleaner holes using a (oval? oblong?) punch.

What do you use? I make my slots at 1.5" size.

My my my, "clutch out"? Guess who has bikes on the brain?

Thanks Luke, I've seen them and will probably take the plunge. I was surprised to see they're fairly expensive for a punch, but I guess its that darn good

[paris3200]

I seem to recall on another forum that the bag punches weren't wide enough to put a double thickness concealed carry belt through. Might want to try one out before you spend the money on something that doesn't work.

Jason

[Shorts]

I seem to recall on another forum that the bag punches weren't wide enough to put a double thickness concealed carry belt through. Might want to try one out before you spend the money on something that doesn't work.

Jason

That concern has surfaced. I keep seeing the slots only 1/8" wide. I make mine 3/8" for a single layer belt (a full 1/2" with the edge beveled).

[Srigs]

I use a half moon wood working cutting tool to cut the top and bottom and then cut between the two points. Works very well for me.

[bruce johnson]

That concern has surfaced. I keep seeing the slots only 1/8" wide. I make mine 3/8" for a single layer belt (a full 1/2" with the edge beveled).

If you have enough of them to cut and they are the same size, then maybe contact a die maker and have a die made up in that size. Most can weld a handle on for you. I recall in one thread that a quote for a handle die from (I think) Texas Custom Dies was pretty reasonable. I have had good experiences with what I got from them, and from people I have referred to them too. I saw a slot punch in a shop that a guy had made up to cut the arched slots for the flatter (pancake?) holsters. Looked pretty handy for that cutting job.

[Jordan]

Many ways to skin a cat so to speak, If you make enough money from your products then having a punch or two made is the way to go. If not, then it's hole punch and razorknife time, harder to master than smackin a punch, takes lots of practice for me to get good looking slots.

[Shorts]

Unfortunately on the metalfab side of the house, I don't have a box here But back home I probably can get Dad to put a little gum to the metal and get what I need. Besides, if it gets him more and nicer holsters, why not, right? :D

[gary]

I use bag or crew punches for run-of-the-mill belt slots but if someone needs a wider or longer slot I use a hole punch twice (I have a set of hole punches up to 1/2" diameter) and then join them using a woodworker's chisel to cut out the slot.

It gives a lot more flexibility in slot width and length and, once you've practised a bit, gives a quicker result than using a knife.

If I was doing a whol;e lot of one size, however, I'd invest in a specific punch.

Gary