Belt Sizing

[millwork]

read al stohlman book on belts it had been awhile since i have had to size a belt al stated that you look on a old belt and find the most worn hole and add 5 inches plus buckle for overall lenght. I laid it out that way and it looks too short as it just passes throught the first belt loop on jeans and if you were to go to the next hole it would not even touch the loop. the way I have it laid out you would need to add 8 or 9 inches past the most worn hole. what would be the lenght if you wanted to put inatials on the belt tip???

[Basically Bob]

Here's the formula That works for me:

Strap Length =

Belt measurement

- the buckle's inside diameter

+ fold-over (2 3/4")

+ 6" for the billet end

Note that I space the holes 3/4" apart.

If I understand your question correctly, I am adding 8 3/4" to the belt measurement. I would not want to use anything shorter but adding a bit certainly wouldn't hurt.

Edited June 8, 2014 by Basically Bob

[JLSleather]

Well, it sounds like a 'non-answer', but the length for the initials would depend on the initials.

I generally add 6" to the "tip" end past the "middle" hole. In the book you mentioned, Al suggests this for when using two 'keepers' - I just do it all the time. Also, I add 3.5" on the buckle end past the fold (generally) and use 3 snaps, regardless of how many 'loops'. Makes for pretty simple math -- you need a strap 10" longer than the "size".

Now, since you already have that book, then you already know that the buckle length can throw most of that out the window.

[robertmeco]

Here is how I do it and add 4 inches past the end hole hope this helps

Edited June 8, 2014 by robertmeco

[Red Cent]

I build the buckle end first and, then, I worry about the center hole only.

[millwork]

thanks for your input I kind of like the one that you add 10 inches plus the built size. that gives you a little extra in case your figure changes. this belt is for a paying customer and I did not want it to look out of the norm. but the 5 inch method was just to short for me I guess that kind of dates my belt making. I had a good friend that made me his style of belt which was from north dakota. 30 plus years ago and they had a lot of extra belt in case you started gaining weight.