Tallbald Report post Posted August 21, 2015 Really enjoying opportunities for artistic freedoms making heavy duty belts. I use two layers of 7-8 ounce Hermann Oak leather. At the buckle end my belts are of course too thick for a complete bend without trimming, so I skive them to a little over half the thickness at the tongue hinge area. It allows me to bend without cracking and helps the tab lay more flat. Recently during final assembly I've considered though either continuing skiving at the hinge, or going further and skiving from the hinge point to the buckle end tip. I've read here about some craftspeople who taper the inner layer from the buckle hinge to the tip before laminating, leaving one layer only at that section. I could gum trag that section to smooth the surface. Are there any downsides to skiving to the tip I'm missing? Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted August 21, 2015 Why not just stop the inside layer at the fold? What is that second layer doing for you, other than making a bunch of bulky bulge right there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted August 21, 2015 When I do a double thickness belt I stop the second layer about a half an inch before the first chicago screw hole. This allows me to fold the outer layer back for the buckle end and it winds up the same thickness as the rest of the belt. no skiving is needed this way. Hope that makes sense. My first try at a double belt, from a few years ago. It's not the best but it shows what I am talking about. The back end of the fold lays flatter when I make then now a days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tallbald Report post Posted August 21, 2015 Thanks to the both of you. What you all have shared is what I was trying to communicate. A single layer would look better than a skived then sanded transition from double to single layer I believe too. Thank you for the validation. Don. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted August 21, 2015 These two pictures tell how I do the ends of my belts. They are double layer until it gets to the buckle end, . . . where I drop the bottom layer, . . . fold over the top, . . . they mate together, . . . and it is smooth on the belly. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tallbald Report post Posted August 21, 2015 Dwight that's wonderful. I really like the mated radius. Don. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
