Lesson in belt making....

[Rayban]

Like most things, I've had to learn the hard way...get the belt size right!!!

Now I made the belt to the size I was asked...but what I didn't know was that they gave me their pants size...jeans, in these cases.....these jeans could have been 5 years old for all I know....and us guys know how jeans tend to stretch along with our girth....

It's happened to me twice in the past year...I spend a lot of time making a belt, I'm pretty happy with the outcome, and it's too small...even tho I've made it to the correct size that was ordered.

Hate the feeling!!!

Lesson learned....ask for the waist measurement, NOT the pants size.

[TwinOaks]

Better yet, get a measurement of the customer. That's if you deal person to person, that is. Explain that you have to do it to make allowances in the leather, or whatever else you care to think of. That way, you eliminate "paralax errors" when reading the tape.

[TomSwede]

So far only one belt to a customer for me, a friend at work. We measured up his waist allright but he told me to put a hole here and there, that'll do it but just in case I added about ½ inch and an extra hole just in case. When he tried the belt out it was spot on in fit however he then realised that it was good to have the extra size just in case because he loved the belt so now he's equipped for years to come.

I don't think he would have noticed the extra size if I haven't told him so maybe something worth testing.

Tom

[Johanna]

I always have the customer remove the belt he's wearing. I can usually tell which hole he has been using. I measure, and adjust for how bent the belt is, and put his center hole in the same place as the hole he's currently on. If you measure the old belt, 99% of the time, you will get it right. If all you have to work with is a pants size, add two inches. If you aren't sure if any of the info you have from the customer is correct, make the belt long and add the holes when he shows up with the check. You can always cut some off...can't add it on.

Johanna

[Michael Sheldon]

I'm with Johanna on this. The absolute best thing is to measure the belt they're wearing yourself. Second best thing if you're dealing "long distance" is to have them measure their belt from tongue to the hole they wear it in. Anything else IMO is guesswork.

[LarryB]

Hi,

My wife and went threw this. We sell at a small farmers market on sat morning. They never like the belts we have laying there....so we ask them what they want and make it. Many of them have been the wrong size so now we take the belt they are wearing and measure it and then its not fool proof, we had them place the belt on thier belly rather than below then complaine that its not large enough. Now we make the belt a little longer than what they need and use the center hole measurement that they are using which gives them a little leway.

I have no idea how a person can sell belts over the internet. I am sitting there and still fight to get it right. I have the book that Al wrote on Belts and its great and thats the way we measure.

Ok I better shut up.. just wanted to put in my two cents so you don't feel bad for dealing with this, your not the only one that has went down this road.

later, my friend

Larry

[gunfighter48]

Hi,

My wife and went threw this. We sell at a small farmers market on sat morning. They never like the belts we have laying there....so we ask them what they want and make it. Many of them have been the wrong size so now we take the belt they are wearing and measure it and then its not fool proof, we had them place the belt on thier belly rather than below then complaine that its not large enough. Now we make the belt a little longer than what they need and use the center hole measurement that they are using which gives them a little leway.

I have no idea how a person can sell belts over the internet. I am sitting there and still fight to get it right. I have the book that Al wrote on Belts and its great and thats the way we measure.

Ok I better shut up.. just wanted to put in my two cents so you don't feel bad for dealing with this, your not the only one that has went down this road.

later, my friend

Larry

I made a sizing belt, 11/4" wide by 72" long. I punched holes every 1" and marked the length (40-41-42 etc.) right on the belt. When I sell at gun shows and such, I have them try on the sizing belt where they like to wear it, then take the size right off the belt. Works great!!!

John

[abn]

I made a sizing belt, 11/4" wide by 72" long. I punched holes every 1" and marked the length (40-41-42 etc.) right on the belt.

Yep, I saw an old leatherworker with one of these and liked the idea so much, I made myself one. They're handy to have around.

[LarryB]

I made a sizing belt, 11/4" wide by 72" long. I punched holes every 1" and marked the length (40-41-42 etc.) right on the belt. When I sell at gun shows and such, I have them try on the sizing belt where they like to wear it, then take the size right off the belt. Works great!!!

John

Great Idea, thanks so much... I'm going to do the same thing. This sounds like a saver.

Thanks for sharing

Larry

[Rayban]

All great ideas....when you have a warm body in front of you to measure....when getting an order over the internet, it's a differant story....