Belt Blanks?

[Widget]

I'm currently enjoying messing around with belt designs, etc. What recommendations do ya'll have for 1.5" blanks? I've used Tandy (one close-ish) but am not overly thrilled with them. Does anyone have experience with Springfield Leather's blanks? They have two levels...I'm talking about the Hermann Oak ones, not the "Low Grade cut from various and miscellaneous leathers."

Any other suppliers I should try?

Thanks for the advice.

[mikesmith648]

Springfields HO ones are not bad..the "low grade" ones are from Tandy....Cut your own is another option

[Chief31794]

I use the Springfield ones (HO), I also have them split their 2-1/2" straps and 2" Straps to 6 oz for Guitar, Banjo, Dobro, Bass and Mandolin Straps. They work really well for me. Most of my stuff is unlined and the back side of the Hermann Oak Straps are really good as well (tight and even).

Chief

[Desert Moon]

I also strap my own for few reason, I can control the quality by useing good hide and by not using bad spots, cost I find i end up paying between 5.50-7.00 per blank strapping my own maybe better if I find a good sale going on. Also if you ever have a request for a different size you just change the setting on your strapper and make a 1" or whatever sze you need.

[horsewreck]

If you plan on making many belts you might consider buying a double back, side, or other large piece of leather from Weaver. They offer a strap cutting service and for a fee of $8.70 will make the entire piece into say 1 1/2" straps. We use this service in our shop and it is a real time saver.

[billymac814]

I second Weavers, they will edge and punch them too. I know its not as good as doing it myself but there's only so many hours in the day. My belt sales have increased by about 500% since I started using them as compared to when I was cutting my own. The reason is because I now stock a bunch that are ready to go, I just have to cut them to size. Before I was lucky to have one or two on display. I get the English bridle ones and some veg tan ones that I can dye.

I do still cut my own for my double layer belts and "special" belts.

The Weavers deal may not be necessary for everyone but for me it brings in extra income with very little extra labor involved. I get the matching keepers as well.

[Mike516]

I second anyone but Tandy. Unfortunately, they've gotten worse and worse, and as convenient as they are, they won't even do little things like try and keep their customers shipping costs down. I recently called to ask if they could send something flat rate because it would have saved me money, but they said they don't have flat rate boxes and anyway they only use UPS for anything other than first class which is ridiculous for small orders because UPS is very expencive. AND they were rude about it. So that was my last order from them. Sorry for the rant

Springfield Leather's stuff is mostly better quality, but some of the stuff they don't carry they get from Tandy. But they're always a pleasure to deal with and their leather is much nicer.

[billymac814]

You need to be careful which ones you order from Springfield too as the quality can be bad if you get the low grade ones. But they are a pleasure to deal with.

I hear ya on Tandys shipping. They are about 70 miles from my shop and I carry some basic tools and kits for customers who want to play around a bit. I don't sell much so I don't stock much but I can order it in, unfortunately they want to charge 9.00 for shipping no matter what it is so if a customer wants a 10 dollar tool it becomes 20 if they don't want to wait until I have more things to order. They could send small items first class for 2.00 and it would be reasonable. I would love to be closer to Springfield.

[Feraud]

Has anyone used the blanks from Zack White? Any thoughts or opinions if someone is just looking to make a belt or two and doesn't need/want to cut their own blanks? What Zack White offers that I haven't noticed from other supplies (I could be wrong on this) is a choice of thickness options.

I have a few vintage compression style buckles that require thinner leather than most blanks offered.

http://www.zackwhite.com/Leather-Strips_c_208.html

[billymac814]

They have a good selection, I didn't see different thicknesses really but I may not have looked hard enough. I may order a few of the ones that have to compare quality with the Weaver ones since I see they have them with finished edges and finished buckle ends too.