particle Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Okay - my wife and I put pen-to-paper and determined it would be cheaper to order pre-cut 1.5" blanks from Weaver as opposed to cutting my own. We bought about 40 of them to tide me over for a while on my first few batches of belt orders. I'm thinking two layers of 8-9oz leather is too thick, and would like to thin them down to maybe 6-7oz. Should I try to find a local saddle shop to thin them down for me? Or is there another option that I'm not thinking of? I know some of you order the pre-cut blanks and would like to know how you avoid ended up with a 1/4" thick belt... Do you use the precut blank for the top, then cut your own thinner liner to glue to the back? Or thin them down yourself? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gregintenn Report post Posted February 16, 2011 For a full size pistol, I like two thicknesses of 8/9 oz leather. For lighter duty, You could back the blank with thinner leather, or else buy a skivver. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted February 16, 2011 Was looking at splitters earlier, but they're pretty pricey... Would love to have one though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobDude30 Report post Posted February 16, 2011 I make mine thick as well. My everyday carry belt measures 1/4" with the calipers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick Pen Report post Posted February 16, 2011 I order mine 6 to 7 oz. Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big G Report post Posted February 17, 2011 a local belt maker puts a layer of kydex in between the two layers of leather . makes for a sturdy belt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gregintenn Report post Posted February 17, 2011 a local belt maker puts a layer of kydex in between the two layers of leather . makes for a sturdy belt LOL! I'll bet you could shoot pool with one of those. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haystacker Report post Posted February 17, 2011 Hey Particle, I make my belts out of two layers of 6/7. The top layer is 1.5 inches wide and the bottom is 2 inches wide. I trim the bottom to fit the top after I sew. How are you going to make yours? I thought about making a jig so that I can cut both top and bottom same width. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted February 17, 2011 Hey Particle, I make my belts out of two layers of 6/7. The top layer is 1.5 inches wide and the bottom is 2 inches wide. I trim the bottom to fit the top after I sew. How are you going to make yours? I thought about making a jig so that I can cut both top and bottom same width. Jeff Jeff, You do glue your two layers together before you sew don't you? I cut my belt blanks with an inexpensive strap cutter from Tandy. Never have a problem. 8/9 oz. top, 3/4 oz bottom/inside cut exactly the same width, glue them with contact cement, sand the edges, burnish edges, then sew. I just don't think the belt blanks are an economic solution if you intend to make very many belts. ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted February 17, 2011 I just don't think the belt blanks are an economic solution if you intend to make very many belts.ferg How many blanks can you get out of a hide? I seem to remember someone here saying you can get about 12-15 blanks out of a hide. If you're paying $150 for the hide, that's well over $10 per blank. I ordered mine from Weaver, and payed $4.61 per blank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-Man Report post Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) Never mind. Edited February 17, 2011 by K-Man Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haystacker Report post Posted February 17, 2011 Jeff, You do glue your two layers together before you sew don't you? I cut my belt blanks with an inexpensive strap cutter from Tandy. Never have a problem. 8/9 oz. top, 3/4 oz bottom/inside cut exactly the same width, glue them with contact cement, sand the edges, burnish edges, then sew. I just don't think the belt blanks are an economic solution if you intend to make very many belts. ferg Yes I do glue first. I recon I'm just a spazz. I have to cut the bottom larger and I still have to be careful with the line up. I guess that's why some of us are artist, some of us are craftsman and some of us are - me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted February 17, 2011 How many blanks can you get out of a hide? I seem to remember someone here saying you can get about 12-15 blanks out of a hide. If you're paying $150 for the hide, that's well over $10 per blank. I ordered mine from Weaver, and payed $4.61 per blank. My point here is this: You lay out the leather so you have a specific area you wish to cut the belts from. Take the "Off-All" from the hide and use it for other small projects for instance. When you cut the entire hide into belt blanks you destroy leather that could have been used. Get my drift? ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gregintenn Report post Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) $4.61 each for belt blanks sounds like a great price to me. Did you ask if they'd make some thinner for you if you bought several? That would be worth a shot. Edited February 17, 2011 by gregintenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted February 17, 2011 Didn't think to ask them that when I called in my order. Probably should have, just didn't think of it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigRiverLeather Report post Posted February 18, 2011 I've ordered blanks in the past from Springfield Leather. They would cut them from whatever weight I wanted (I got 6/7). I've not done the math but I know it was pretty dang close in price if I got the strips from them. You can get them blank or pre-punched. I've been cutting my own from Zach White Bullhide double shoulders which are usually pretty good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samuel Report post Posted February 19, 2011 In addition to a saddle shop, I would also consider taking them to a shoe shop or shoe repair shop as well. I had to get my leather dress shoes changed a little and I remember the shoe shop having belts and gun patterns in the corner. I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was doing some outsourcing work for a holster company. Since then, I've seriously thought about outsourcing some of the work to him since demand is getting more and more for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
colt1911 Report post Posted February 20, 2011 Zack White has precut leather strips from 2/3 ounce all the way up to 9/10 ounce in any width you want. Theyre $6.00 ea. for 10-24 of em and $5.25 ea. for 25 + of em in any thickness for 1.5. I use a 8/9 ounce belt blank with a 5/6 ounce inner strip glued and sewn flesh to flesh to i can finish both sides....sometimes 2 different colors if thats what the customer wants. I hope this helps ya out! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cap Report post Posted February 21, 2011 a local belt maker puts a layer of kydex in between the two layers of leather . makes for a sturdy belt Any idea where he is getting the kydex strips from? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big G Report post Posted March 6, 2011 Any idea where he is getting the kydex strips from? you can get kydex from almost any plastic , plexiglass,lexan,abs , kydex at plastic supply houses . most will cut for you or you can score with a utility knife and snap it off. cope plastics is one supplier i know in okla city. added benefit is you can heat and mold for sheaths and holsters etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
