Billy Hell Report post Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) So I had all the makings to create myself a nice gun belt. I have a few Colt Single Actions and have lusted over some nicely tooled rigs but would never spend the money. The fact I can make my own now is kind of mind blowing. I was ready to make my belt and a good friend of ours, singer/song writer Kevin Welch invited us to his birthday party. Seven days before the shin dig I decided to use my gun belt fixings to make him a guitar strap. I was going to keep it simple due to the time factor but making things as hard as possible seems to be my way. I basically made a gun belt into a guitar strap. I used the Cody buckle and added his initials. I also carved a boot on the front. That was based on a painting done by John Hadley for an album Kevin did. I think it turned out great! It can go from 45 inches long to around 54 inches, which should be enough for anyone. Edited August 15, 2015 by Billy Hell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eddie1968 Report post Posted August 15, 2015 I like your style there Billy Hell. Nice work. Eddie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy Hell Report post Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) Thank you sir. The Bday is this coming Sunday so it's still a secret. Another interesting note is the half that strap is Herman Oak leather and the other is 9 ounce leather from Tandy. I got a whole whole shoulder (18.4 sqr feet) from Tandy for $95. I could feel a difference between the two when cutting. The Herman Oak tooling looks cleaner/crisper to me but in real life when I ask folks they can't tell the difference. Just an interesting leather tooler side note. Edited August 15, 2015 by Billy Hell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce H Report post Posted August 15, 2015 Son-of-a-gun Billy you've nailed it. That is way nice!!!!! I've been following your post lately and your carving all the sudden looks much more crisp / clean...your curved lines are much smoother. Your determination is paying off...Congratulations!!!!!! Please let us know what your friend thinks of this. You're gonna get your door beat down other people wanting you to make them something. Thanks for sharing this with us!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smahon03 Report post Posted August 15, 2015 This is some great tooling! You have a great attention for detail. This looks amazing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy Hell Report post Posted August 15, 2015 (edited) Thanks for the great words y'all! I started out tooling those little rounders. Tooling small is tricky! Tooling larger items give you more room to do it right! Loving it. That strap was a few days of figuring out how to build it, how long to make it, what floral pattern to design and that damn boot. I did the boot 7 or 8 times to get it right. Each large panel of tooling took around 3 hours. I shot a video of one that I plan on speeding up just to show the whole process. I don't think folks who have never seen anyone tool have any idea of how we do it. Just got back from Tandy with less $$ and more cool leather stuff. The Alzheimer Association requested I tool something for their silent auction so that's next! Loving it! Edited August 15, 2015 by Billy Hell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted August 27, 2015 That is a nice strap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rktaylor Report post Posted September 17, 2015 Billy, That's really nice. I have been meaning to make a strap for me, but haven't got to it. Now a neighbor wants a custom guitar strap, so I am doing some research. Thanks for sharing. Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy Hell Report post Posted September 18, 2015 Thank you sir! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted October 21, 2015 I have seen some of your previous work , but now your getting to be quite a tooler, in my opinion ! Your work is not as choppy, and seems smoother and more fluid. I like it very much. Congratulations, keep on keeping on ! ------------ Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy Hell Report post Posted October 21, 2015 Thanks for the input. I'm trying my best! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boriqua Report post Posted October 21, 2015 very nice! I especially like the design decision to break the design out of the background stamping at the end of the strap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy Hell Report post Posted October 21, 2015 One of my favorite parts! That was such a nice strap it was hard to give as a present!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buttons Report post Posted October 23, 2015 Beautifull work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy Hell Report post Posted October 25, 2015 Thanks Buttons! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
