Double Layer Gun Belt Thickness

[Boriqua]

I have been looking for about a month now at all the information about sewing machines. I would like to start to make gun belts to match the holsters I am making. Having gotten it crystal clear that there is not one machine to do everything I am really trying to assess what I would use the machine most for. I have made a couple using two layers of 8-9oz and final thickness was about .28 in. Im wondering if this is overkill and should I move to 2 layers of 5/6 oz. Looking for your opinions on overall thickness.

Alex

Thank you!

Edited March 20, 2015 by Boriqua

[Red Cent]

Depends on the use of the belt and customer preference. My gun belts are usually two strips of 8-9 ounce. To get rid of the un-necessary bulk, stop the bottom layer at the tip of the fold of the top layer. The piece for the buckle. Sand the abrupt edge of the second layer down unless you make it meet the folded down end. Skive the heck out of the top layer in the buckle bend area.

My SASS gun belts are made from one piece 8-9 ounce and one piece 4-5 ounce. Upon request, a final liner of hideback(suede) in 3-4 ounce can be added to the inside.

[Jim]

Well Alex, I have to say that two layers of 8/9 ounce is overkill. But that's just me. I know shooters who want a gun belt thick enough to stop a bullet while others are happy with a single layer 8/9 ounce belt. With that said you're going get about 101 different opinions on that matter. So, it will all come down to what the customer wants. Go with that and you can't miss.

As for sewing machines - can't help you there -never used one and never will.

Jim

[lws380]

I use two layers of 6/7 and that works well for me and have nice comments about the belts. 6/7 also allows the belt to be worn as a regular dress belt if wanted. If someone wants a thicker belt you can offer it, but I think most will be pleased with 2 layers of 6/7. The thicker it gets, the less it is likely to work in varieties of belt loops.

My Cobra 4 makes sewing belts a breeze. I use 277 upper and lower thread and a 25 needle for black thread.

Edited March 20, 2015 by lws380

[snubbyfan]

Depends on the end use. For a full size gun I'll generally use 2 layers of 9 ounce.

On this belt I used 2 layers of 7 ounce. It's 1 1/4" wide and is used as a dress belt that'll also hold up a compact size gun for ccw.

For a S&W J frame snubby, I've found that 2 layers of 5 ounce or 1 layer of 9 ounce is plenty.

My personal belt's 2 layers of 9 ounce.

But honestly, I feel it's a bit much to hold up just a J frame snubby.

I hand stitch everything.

Edited March 20, 2015 by snubbyfan

[cleanview]

Just like you, I wanted to make the belts to go with the holster. I settled on a 8 and a 4 ounce to get me at .20 . My personal (first) belt is more at .25 and seem a little much.

I recently bought a cowboy 3200 and it makes it sooooo much easier.

[Red Cent]

Cleanview, may I suggest you buy this (or something like it).
http://www.trimlok.com/prod/Tools/Tools---Accessories/All-Product-Categories_147/Hand-Held-Roller_173.aspx

I spray the back of the belt with water that has a drop or two of Lexol after I finish sewing and before I seal. Then I use the roller to flatten the stitches.

[Lobo]

There is an easy method for converting leather weight to thickness. Each ounce of leather weight equates to about 1/64" in thickness. An 8-oz. strap will be very close to 1/8" thick. A 6-oz strap about 3/32". 4-oz is about 1/16".

As others have pointed out, the intended use of the belt can dictate how it is made. If it is to support a full-size handgun (2.5 to 3 lbs. loaded weight) a heavier combination will probably be better (total around 14 to 16 oz.). For a lightweight compact handgun less strength is required, so a combination of about 10 to 12 oz. might work well.

My standard is a top strap of 7/8 with an inner strap of 6/7. The inner strap is terminated before the buckle attachment point, eliminating either a lot of work skiving the straps for the buckle attachment or a huge lump at the user's belly. Finished thickness is just under 1/4" and these are very strong. We send out between 200 and 300 of these every year, and I know of many remaining in use after 5 years or more. As with my other products I make prototypes for testing prior to production, and I am still using two of those that are over 6 years old with no measurable stretching. They have just conformed nicely to the shape of my hips over time.

I tell customers that these are just about ideal for beating children, but far too heavy to use on pets. Nobody listens to me anyway so I can get away with stuff like that.

[cleanview]

Cleanview, may I suggest you buy this (or something like it).

http://www.trimlok.com/prod/Tools/Tools---Accessories/All-Product-Categories_147/Hand-Held-Roller_173.aspx

I spray the back of the belt with water that has a drop or two of Lexol after I finish sewing and before I seal. Then I use the roller to flatten the stitches.

I have a similar device and will give that a try. Don't have lexol but will see if i can get some as I have belt that is sewn and not sealed yet.

thanks

[Red Cent]

I use the Lexol Leather cleaner (soap). Hesitant to use regular liquid soap on the leather.

[Dwight]

I have been looking for about a month now at all the information about sewing machines. I would like to start to make gun belts to match the holsters I am making. Having gotten it crystal clear that there is not one machine to do everything I am really trying to assess what I would use the machine most for. I have made a couple using two layers of 8-9oz and final thickness was about .28 in. Im wondering if this is overkill and should I move to 2 layers of 5/6 oz. Looking for your opinions on overall thickness.

Alex

Thank you!

I have one machine that does 95% of everything I want. Haven't trained it to fry a bologna sandwich yet, though.

Seriously, . . . I use a Tippmann Boss, . . . and someone will be getting a sweet machine when I wake up dead some morning, . . . because my wife won't mess with it, . . . and I doubt my son will. I've done chaps, chinks, sheaths, holsters, belts, suspenders, pouches, wallets, . . . . and that's just the leather stuff.

But, . . . I digress. All of my gunbelts, . . . generally hit in a combined two layer thickness of something between .160 and .220, . . . and most of that depends on the length. Longer belts start out thicker, . . . shorter ones tend to be thinner.

But that's the way I do it, . . . YMMV. My old beat up CCW belt I've got on right now is closer to .250, . . . but I surely would not want it any thicker. Personal preference is the reason.

May God bless,

Dwight