Contributing Member JLSleather Posted October 13, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted October 13, 2015 belt full of holes labeled with numbers. The person puts on the belt, I look at the number, Exactly this. I have been known to send customers (and potential customers) a 'strip' the same thickness as the belt they are wanting. Tell 'em wrap it around, mark where it overlaps with a pen (trace right across the leather), measure from the end to the mark, send me the number, throw away the strip. 3/4" wide trim from putting a straight edge on a side, lined with the normal lining leather. Glued but not stitched - though I have been known to put a couple (or 4) 6-8" rows of stitching side by side so they can see thread colors ... If someone is spending $50-60 for a plain belt, and the belt ends up fitting one hole away from center, might just be okay. Or, at least they know, and they can return it for exchange for one that is one hole over, now that they know. But if they're spending actual money for a belt you're going to have hours in, nice to get that one right the first time! Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted October 13, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted October 13, 2015 (edited) Is there a chart or does someone have standard numbers they use to measure out a belt to get the correct measurement without having to measure an individual Back to the original question, though... the answer is no - there is no method of "get the correct measurement" without measuring. It's been tried for a long time, but not done. I've seen people who swear that you "add 2 inches" and others who swear "add 4 inches". Add to what? Can't go by the jeans size, those are all over the place. Different jeans manufacturers make 'em different, and new jeans don't measure the same as old ones of the same type (they stretch and wear thinner). Some are actually proud of coming up with the "idea" of putting more holes in the belt (apparently, a couple more inches hanging out on the end is okay). Jim's chart (referenced above and pinned in the pattern section) simply doesn't work -- too vague. Not that it won't work EVER... throw enough darts at a dartboard, one will hit occasionally. I'm not willing to take it apart, since that guy seems otherwise very knowledgeable. If you read the TEXT under that chart, the instruction portion, it's readily apparent that the way he's measuring WILL work. BUT, he admits that the chart is "based on Pants Size Measurement... which can be hit or miss" (quoting Jim). Plus, the chart assumes that a center bar buckle is "this big" and a shield buckle (or trophy buckle) is 'this big" - -though there are thousands of variations and sizes, and a 4" buckle doesn't give the same size belt as a 2" buckle. Edited October 13, 2015 by JLSleather Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
mlapaglia Posted October 13, 2015 Report Posted October 13, 2015 Jeff, So, I take the pant size, add 2", add 4", then add 1.5"???? Quote The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. Bruce Lee
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted October 13, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted October 13, 2015 Only in the western hemisphere. Otherwise, reverse that. Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members TinkerTailor Posted October 13, 2015 Members Report Posted October 13, 2015 I just use the cut to fit method. Make it 6" too long, and then put it on the customer. I then use my english point punch and a maul to cut it to length right on the customers hip. One big whack. It took a few tries to get the depth and technique right, but I'm like a pro now.... Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members mikekratz Posted February 4, 2016 Members Report Posted February 4, 2016 Sending you a PM on how to avoid all the inaccurate measurements from customers. Hi! can you share that information with me as well Quote
Members YinTx Posted February 5, 2016 Members Report Posted February 5, 2016 "I just use the cut to fit method. Make it 6" too long, and then put it on the customer. I then use my english point punch and a maul to cut it to length right on the customers hip. One big whack. It took a few tries to get the depth and technique right, but I'm like a pro now...." I feel sorry for the hip on the first few customers before you got that technique right! musta been a bloody mess.... seriously though, most of the time I am making them for someone far away... so no on-sight measurements. And usually there are about another 2 weeks of stitching to be done after the belt has been cut to length... YinTx Quote YinTx https://www.instagram.com/lanasia_2017/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK6HvLWuZTzjt3MbR0Yhcj_WIQIvchezo
Members TinkerTailor Posted February 5, 2016 Members Report Posted February 5, 2016 "I just use the cut to fit method. Make it 6" too long, and then put it on the customer. I then use my english point punch and a maul to cut it to length right on the customers hip. One big whack. It took a few tries to get the depth and technique right, but I'm like a pro now...." I feel sorry for the hip on the first few customers before you got that technique right! musta been a bloody mess.... seriously though, most of the time I am making them for someone far away... so no on-sight measurements. And usually there are about another 2 weeks of stitching to be done after the belt has been cut to length... YinTx I use math to find the outside circumference from the users belt measurement and the thickness of the leather. I have been really good about keeping these types of comments to myself on this forum, however once in a while i let one slip.. Other day i told someone to use super glue to help hold a jewelers loupe in their eye socket...... I just may have a little bit of a sarcastic streak away from this site, both online and in real life..... Here i try to be serious and give proper advice. Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members Dwight Posted February 5, 2016 Members Report Posted February 5, 2016 I guess I've only been making belts now for about 10 years, . . . so my technique may be juvenile. I just have them take off the belt they are wearing, . . . and measure from the outside of the buckle end, . . . to the most used hole. I have never failed to make a belt that fits using that strategy, . . . never, . . . not once. I did fail when a guy told me he needed a 36 inch belt. I made it. It was 4 inches too short. We measured his old belt, . . . yep, . . . 40. So much for believing the customer. If someone needs a belt, . . . and I cannot measure it myself, . . . I tell them how to do it, . . . or send them a little drawing that has been on here several times in one form or another, . . . and again, . . . if they measure right, . . . the belt fits right. Now, . . . I did have one customer that I made a 53 inch belt for once, . . . he couldn't pick it up for almost 60 days, . . . when he came to get it, . . . he needed a 56, . . . but that is another story for another day. Measure, . . . check your measure, . . . write it down, . . . it'll work. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members TinkerTailor Posted February 5, 2016 Members Report Posted February 5, 2016 I agree with Dwight. I should clarify, I also use belt hole to buckle bar measurements when I have them for belts. If i have to use a measurement of the outside of the jeans without a belt on I use math to get me closer. Close is close enough. That is why the belt has multiple holes......One day the wearer is in thin cotton chinos, and the next he is in canvas carhartts with a pocket knife and a cell phone holder attached. That alone would create a difference of a hole or two. Which pants did he wear the old belt with....Not a bad thing to clarify if you are picky, I also mathalize things like wine bottle wraps, wrist cuffs, friction fit mason jar sleeves, custom bicycle grips, etc. where there is no existing belt measurement and the tolerances are tighter. Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
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