Belt Loops

[Liberty]

Howdy yaw'll,

I just had a potential customer asking me about belt loops for a holster design that he wants done and it may mean several dozen or more that may need to be done. He's very exacting and wants them made out of leather and NOT the rubber ones. Is there a source for ordering them? A template for making them myself? Or, should I invest in a die for my clicker if the volume is enough?

I thought I'd find something in the search but I'm running in circles it seems.

Thanks for any input!

Liberty

[David8386]

Look in volume one the art of making leather cases by Al Stohlman. Good luck

David

[particle]

Hi Liberty - I assume you're talking about loops similar to the ones on the holster below? If so, they're very easy to make, once you get the sizing right. The easiest way is to:

• Cut a strip of leather the width of the desired strap - probably around 1" wide, and the thickness of the leather you'll be using - somewhere between 6-8oz.
  
• Cut it 6-8" long
  
• Fabricate yourself a belt blank (ask the customer how thick and wide the belts are he wants to build for - probably 1 1/2" wide and up to 1/4" thick)
  
• Dampen the strap in the middle of the blank so it's easy to fold and form
  
• Place the belt blank over the fold line, then bend the strap so it folds nicely around the blank, then let it dry a bit so it holds its shape
  
• Place your snap hardware on the strap to determine where to mount the hardware. I suggest leaving at least 1/8" to 1/4" clearance from the top of the belt to the edge of the snap hardware - any closer than that and it can be hard to snap (particularly with directional snaps)
  
• Mark the center of the snap where you'll punch your hole for the snaps
  
• Punch a small hole the diameter of the snap cap eyelet post
  
• Install the snap
  
• For the end of the strap that is against the holster - trim the strap so the centerline of your radius (half your strap width) is the centerline of your snap
  
• For the end of the strap that is facing outside (the end not mounted to the holster), I suggest leaving a little tab to hold onto which will make it easier to unsnap (gives you something to hold onto). Note the holster shown below does not have that extra tab - I am adding it on future builds so it's easier to un-snap. I suggest at least 1/4" extra for the tab. To do this, just move the radius away from the centerline of the snap 1/4" or more, then trim the end of the strap
  
• If you're happy with the end result, flatten the strap and transfer the measurements to your pattern material, then cut out your pattern
  
• If you're not happy with the end result, transfer the measurements, make the necessary adjustments to the pattern, then cut out the revised pattern
  
• Using your pattern, go ahead and make yourself another strap just to double check the pattern, then adjust if necessary
  

If you're going to making very many of these, I'd suggest buying a press to install your snaps. If you're going to be overwhelmed by hundreds of these things, also consider having a clicker die made and having the parts clicked out.

I would also suggest making circular leather washers out of the same thickness leather. These help the holster slide down over the edge of the pants better without the strap pinching the pants. If you want to edge and burnish them, make them the same diameter as the width of your strap. If you want to save time, make them 3/16" to 1/4" narrower so the sharp edge of the leather won't be visible. If you go this route, you only need to dye the edges to match the edges of your straps. If you choose to edge and burnish them, you'll probably need to dye the whole thing to match the rest of the strap.

Edited October 10, 2012 by particle