Still Having Problems With Beveling Belt Loops!

[RoosterShooter]

I've practiced and practiced, and still can't seem to get the tight corners on belt loop cuts beveled with 100% accuracy. Every so often I still get a piece that wants to bunch up when I turn the inside corner, and it ruins the look.

Should I go with a bisonette or even a common edge beveler? Right now I'm using the Keen # 126 bevelers.

Thanks.

[renegadelizard]

A bisonette will work better, but i suspect the real issue here is the belt slot width...i had a die made to cut mine because i couldnt find anything commercially available to get 1 1/2 by 5/16...1/4 was just to narrow to get my edger in, especially on the backside...now i can get my 126 number 3 around with no problems...and here is a tip...try not to turn the tool, but rather turn the leather into the tool...this makes a smoother cut for me...

[IngleGunLeather]

Barry King "sharp curve" edger.

Edited October 23, 2012 by CountryTrash

[chiefjason]

and here is a tip...try not to turn the tool, but rather turn the leather into the tool...this makes a smoother cut for me...

This! It's hard to verbalize. But once you figure out how to do it, it makes a lot of difference. I find that my stuff is edging better if I spray just a little water on it with a spray bottle. Bonus that it burnishes a bit as it edges if its wet too.

Also, I don't know that there is 100% accuracy. You may still have to sand them up a bit to get them where you want them. And the leather moves around a bit when you burnish them too. You want as good a base as possible to start with, I can certainly understand that. But some of the work will be done after they are beveled.

[TwinOaks]

I get a light edging in the tight area -just enough to break the corner- and let the burnisher do the rest. It's a rotary burnisher with a 'belt slot tip'...basically I have a rounded taper down to 1/4 inch and I use that to burnish all the inside edges of the belt slots.

[RoosterShooter]

Thanks for all of the input. I think I'm going to practice some more.

[Tac]

This may go without saying, because it is so obvious, but it really pays to make sure your tools are very sharp. A dull beveler will pull and drag on the leather, causing the leather to "bunch up", rather than cut. I am constantly sharpening my beveler to help make sure it cuts cleanly.

-Tac