Measuring A Western Gunbelt/cartrige Belt...?

[Jimbob]

Ok, I made a few western rigs...By luck they all fit pretty well...I know how to messure a reular belt and I am aware that a hip measurement is needed for a gun rig belt....My question is:
How do you position the billets to the main gun belt....and how much overlap the main gun belt needs...how does all this measure up to be the final right lenght ( hip measurement )

Also where do you position the buckle billet...does it hang over or right where the main gun belt ends...?

Seems to be rather simple but I always panic when it comes to get this right on a gun/cartrige belt...?!!

Any info would be helpful...

I do have this wonderful book called Packing iron....but of course no help on how to measure...

thanks

Jamesg

[Dwight]

Jimbob, . . . I picked up my cowboy making from John Bianchi, . . . off his videos.

Using his ideas, . . . I set the buckle so that the inside edge (where the face of the belt rubs) is even with the end of the belt (see picture).

I set the tongue of the belt so it is also at the end of the belt (see picture). With a 2 3/4 to 3 inch setback to the first hole, . . . it makes the thing come together well, . . . rides good, . . . and I've never had but one complaint. I made a 55 inch gun belt some years back (it took several weeks), . . . customer took it home, . . . called and said it was too small.

I adjusted it for him, . . . but always wondered how many doughnuts it took to add 2 inches to a 55 inch waist.

Anyway, . . . those pictures are from the very first one I ever did (for an old uncle who as since passed on and it was returned to me as a gift after his passing) and the only thing I have added is that I use 7 holes in the belt now instead of 6 as in that one.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Jim]

How about I make it easy for you, Pard. When I get home I will post a gun belt pattern that will take all the guess work out of it. It even comes with a size chart that actually works.

Jim

[Jimbob]

Dwight, thanks so much for your info and help....the pictures made sense and I think I am starting to see what I am doing wrong...but any more info other like to share would be great...Also Jim...thanks for that great offer to provide a pattern to all of us out there....nice move !!

As I said,, I am bitten by the Cowboy bug and it seems I am having fun too....haha..

Again, thank you for the info and input....!!!

James

[Jimbob]

A few pics of some rigs...note the tongue is way to far out I think now.....buckle is so-so ok...?

Seems there is lots to learn....hahaha...

Jimbob

[Dwight]

I actually have a 2 piece "pattern" I use. I made it so that it allows for a 4 inch additional length, and is marked for waist size. One piece is the billet end, the other the buckle end, . . . they come around together to form a pattern for the belt. I directly trace the belt blank off this pattern.

I can measure the buyer's belt he is wearing today, . . . (say a 38 waist), . . . set it at the mark for 38, . . . it will lay me down a pattern for a 42 inch belt.

It already has the hip curve, . . . holes punched for tongue and billet, . . . makes life easy. Guy comes in wanting a cowboy rig, . . . if he has to turn around in my driveway before leaving, . . . I can have the pattern set for him before he is on the road, . . . 600 feet away. And so far it has only had one problem customer, . . . he gained 2 inches while I was making his rig.

I would imagine Jim's is similar, . . . but just make sure what you do works, . . . and when you get it working, . . . write it down, make a pattern, take copious notes, . . . so you won't forget by the next one you do. Now "YOU" may not have to do that, . . . but this old redneck would forget most anything not done in the last few days.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Jim]

Hmmmm, no, mine is a little different and simplifies making gun belts. I got sick and tired of misplacing the billet and shooting myself in the foot with a belt that came out too short by an inch. (A show of hands - how many of us had done that?)

So, I made a 60 inch belt tester and sized up fellers from big to small and made references to their pant size. After a few test belts and positive results I created the size chart and was able to make a well fitting belt for a customer based only on his pant size. This was a huge advantage to mail orders. The chart tells you how long to cut the main belt of the Ranger style and the templates show where to place the billets. When you see this setup, you're gonna love it.

Jim

[Jimbob]

Hmmmm, no, mine is a little different and simplifies making gun belts. I got sick and tired of misplacing the billet and shooting myself in the foot with a belt that came out too short by an inch. (A show of hands - how many of us had done that?)

So, I made a 60 inch belt tester and sized up fellers from big to small and made references to their pant size. After a few test belts and positive results I created the size chart and was able to make a well fitting belt for a customer based only on his pant size. This was a huge advantage to mail orders. The chart tells you how long to cut the main belt of the Ranger style and the templates show where to place the billets. When you see this setup, you're gonna love it.

Jim

I would love to see this pattern/chart...

Cant wait till you post it here !!

Thanks for sharing...

james

[Dwight]

My only problem with doing it by pants size, . . . I had a feller one time ask me to make him a belt. i asked what size, and he said he wore size 36 Wranglers.

Being a bit cautious, . . . I measured his belt, . . . and found that the hole he used most was between a 39 and 40. The 36 Wranglers had "stretched" so to speak.

If I had made him a gunbelt based on his say so, . . . it would have buckled only in the very first hole on the billet, . . . if at all.

That is the reason I insist on a belt measurement, . . . but if the other one works, . . . that's great too.

May God bless,

Dwight

[robertmeco]

Hmmmm, no, mine is a little different and simplifies making gun belts. I got sick and tired of misplacing the billet and shooting myself in the foot with a belt that came out too short by an inch. (A show of hands - how many of us had done that?)

So, I made a 60 inch belt tester and sized up fellers from big to small and made references to their pant size. After a few test belts and positive results I created the size chart and was able to make a well fitting belt for a customer based only on his pant size. This was a huge advantage to mail orders. The chart tells you how long to cut the main belt of the Ranger style and the templates show where to place the billets. When you see this setup, you're gonna love it.

Jim

I would love to have your pattern if you don't mind thank you in advance Robert