Going To Try A Round, Laminated, Kydex Reinforced, Gun Belt... Came Up With A Jig

[msdeluca]

I want to make three ply, kevlar reinforced, curved gun belts. There is about an inch difference in length between the inner and outer plies on a 40" belt. Can't find any info on doing it so I designed a jig that I think will work.

I know a lot of folks don't think that curving is necessary, but I'd like to give it a try and see for myself. I've glued up wood panels over the years and it just makes sense to me.

Here is the jig:

I've got a write up on the process at: www.conceptleather@blogspot.com if anyone is interested in building one.

This week I'm going to test it and post the results.

If anyone has any input, I'd sure be interested.

Worst case; I spent some time making sawdust in the shop and hanging out with the dog...

[Dwight]

From my perspective, . . . and historical data, . . . you had fun with your dog.

I've made em from about 30 inches long to somewhere north of 55 inches long, . . . but I cut both pieces (only a 2 ply belt, . . . with bullet loops sandwiched between) EXACTLY the same.

Then glue em all together, . . . sew em up, . . . and they work like a champ.

I'm thinking that you are very much over thinking this project, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight

[silverbullet]

The only thing I see is most people aren't round , oblong like a race course might work. I ve seen some cowboy setups where they flair at the hips also ck the old b/w movies with Tim Macoy his tapers and fits like its formed on him. Gary and they are beautiful too.

[msdeluca]

From my perspective, . . . and historical data, . . . you had fun with your dog.

I've made em from about 30 inches long to somewhere north of 55 inches long, . . . but I cut both pieces (only a 2 ply belt, . . . with bullet loops sandwiched between) EXACTLY the same.

Then glue em all together, . . . sew em up, . . . and they work like a champ.

I'm thinking that you are very much over thinking this project, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight

Dwight,

My wife would agree with you. I did have fun with the dog.

I respect your experience... but now that I've made the darned thing, I've got to give it whirl.

Thanks for your insight.

Mike

[msdeluca]

The only thing I see is most people aren't round , oblong like a race course might work. I ve seen some cowboy setups where they flair at the hips also ck the old b/w movies with Tim Macoy his tapers and fits like its formed on him. Gary and they are beautiful too.

More round that straight though...

[chiefjason]

If I had the time, materials, and initiative to get crazy with belts I would probably work on cutting them something other than straight. The thing with curving them is it's still a straight line. Old belts are not straight. I've seen a couple pre formed and it's a neat idea. And one I don't have time to deal with. lol

Good luck with it, from just west of you.

[msdeluca]

If I had the time, materials, and initiative to get crazy with belts I would probably work on cutting them something other than straight. The thing with curving them is it's still a straight line. Old belts are not straight. I've seen a couple pre formed and it's a neat idea. And one I don't have time to deal with. lol

Good luck with it, from just west of you.

Can't believe someone else on this forum is in Hickory. We should talk...

[Treed]

Keep us informed I am interested in how this will work. The concept that you have just doesn't comprehend in this old mind and I am lousy at math. I just don't come up with and inch difference in my mind. I have made a lot of 2 ply belts both straight and curved through the years. My use of the belts I like the curved belts better but no one wants to pay for them. The curved belts have more leather wastage and take more time to cut and people don't want to spend the extra....... The fact is that they want a high quality 2 ply curved belt for the cost of low quality straight cut belt of single ply. The cost of the materials that you are building the belt out of would make the finished belt with labor extremely high. Good luck and keep us informed love to see new ways and thinking.

[chiefjason]

Longview, technically. Mail says Hickory though. Shoot me a PM.

[msdeluca]

Did a small prototype from scrap on the curved form.

Used a web clamp to hold in place.

Did not use the kydex center ply on this piece.

The belt definitely holds the curve shape... flattens while working wet, but then returns to curved shape.

I wouldn't say that this took much longer to glue up than doing flat.

Color: Feibings Pro Oil Saddle Tan (full strength)

Finish: Resolene 1:1 with filtered water

Edge: 50/50 beeswax/parafin on cocobolo burnisher

I'm getting a little edge cracking... is there a remedy for this?

Also, I see some folks oil the leather prior to dying. What is the purpose for this and what type of oil?

I'm going to do a full size belt this week... showed it around at work today and sold one... !!!

Edited October 15, 2014 by msdeluca