Double layer belts???

[wassomeoneelse]

I have searched, watched videos, and spoke to a couple of different people. I am still unclear at what point the bottom liner of leather stops. Does it run all the way from end to end?  Does it run from the tip to where the end is folder under and sewn?  

Many guidance would be appreciated

 

thanks

Bryan

[JMWendt]

Usually end to end, unless you've got some special reason to have two layers.

For my belts and straps, I typically do two layers, end to end, trim to the right shape (rounded on one end, flat on the other), then sew the entire perimeter.

In a few cases, I have used a piece of leather then skived another shorter piece and attached it only partially, for example when I did a buckle-less belt with a hook, but this is less typical and more special case.

Do it however you like it, depending on the particular belt you are making.  Aesthetics and functionality drive the design.

[particle]

I prefer to stop my liner layer (two layers of 7-8oz) just shy of the tongue slot, usually leaving about 1/8" space from the end of the liner to the slot. This gives a little breathing room for the tongue to move without being obstructed by the lining layer. Folding over two layers of glued & sewn 7-8oz isn't really possible, so it has to be skived on the ends, and I never had good luck skiving the leather thinner at the fold so this is the method I use.

Edited June 10, 2016 by particle

[wassomeoneelse]

Many thanks for the replies. That helps clear things up in my mind. I am going to make 3 gun belts. All three belts will have a outer layer of 9/10 oz. The first one will be layered with 9/10 oz, second with 6/7 oz and the last will be layered with 4/5 oz. I am doing this to get a feel for what thickness works, etc. 

[JMWendt]

You'll need to skive folds for the 9/10 and 6/7 thicknesses.

[Boriqua]

I too stop the liner before the buckle slot on double layer belts.  I actually like to stop it before the keeper if I can.

Edited June 10, 2016 by Boriqua

[NVLeatherWorx]

I too stop the bottom layer just before the tongue slot so that there is no risk of binding up when in use.  Another very key point to make sure of is that when making a double layered belt out of the thicker leathers you are going to want to give the belt a little bit of roll (curve) so that the lining leather doesn't develop the look of bunching up.  In other words, your lining layer will end up shorter than you start off with as you give the belt a little bit of curve along the entire length while securing the two layers together.  I use a flexible contact cement with a little run down the center of each layer and then start at the tip end slowly setting the two layers together while rolling them over so slightly.  When I am finished putting the two layers together I can lay it on its side on a table and it will look like the curvature of a bow.  This not only allows the leather to remain free from bunching and stress, it also makes the belt more comfortable for the customer and drastically reduces the break in time.

Good luck with your testing.

[wassomeoneelse]

Thanks for all of the replies. Today I am working on a black single layer belt for practice. Each one I am learning something new. 

Edited June 11, 2016 by wassomeoneelse

[OLDNSLOW]

There are a lot of Kydex holster makers out there jumping on the bandwagon for leather belts, as well as leather workers.  I am a member of the USCCA for the insurance that they they offer to concealed carriers and in the publication are several adds for makers that offer belts, one is bigfoot gunbelts, they offer a stainless steel lined belt if you look them up you'll see that they offer their belt with complete straps from one end to the other.  Now as mentioned above the ends do need to be skived down so as to not bulge and also be able to fit under the keeper when done. The above maker is just one of many as I mentioned but I have also been asked if I offer the belts with either a Kydex or metal liner so I am in the process of offering both, it does take a little more time to work with, and you also need to find a price point that will let you remain competitive in the market.  There is another maker that comes to mind when thinking about hybrid holster and belts and that is Aliengear, they came on the market a few years ago and have grown considerably in a few years and also offer the belts.  It never hurts to look at what others are doing to know what is going on in the market place until you can develop a niche of your own.

Edited June 11, 2016 by OLDNSLOW
misspeling

[klaykrusher]

Hey Bryan,  I follow Particles' method.  Bring the liner to about an 1/8" before the buckle tong slot.  Here are some pics:  On this one you can see where I was a little too close to the slot and this particular buckle has indented into the liner, but it still works fine.  I have not had an issue with the total thickness of the leather sticking out too far once everything is assembled so I don't see a need to skive at this point.  Belt in pics is double 6/7oz Herman Oak back.

 

[Northmount]

I read a post some time ago where the poster stopped the lining just before the end of the buckle flap.  Couldn't find it with my searches though.  This will give you the same, or nearly the same thickness for the whole belt, and reduces the bulk around the buckle and keeper.

Tom

 

[byggyns]

I stop mine before the folded over area Like this:

[wassomeoneelse]

Thank you so much for the pictures.  It makes it stand out much clearer in my mind.  I glued a belt up today.  I stopped prior to the snaps.  It was a precut belt.  I will start on sewing it by hand tomorrow.  Thanks for all the replies.

[MADMAX22]

On 6/11/2016 at 10:39 AM, OLDNSLOW said:

There are a lot of Kydex holster makers out there jumping on the bandwagon for leather belts, as well as leather workers.  I am a member of the USCCA for the insurance that they they offer to concealed carriers and in the publication are several adds for makers that offer belts, one is bigfoot gunbelts, they offer a stainless steel lined belt if you look them up you'll see that they offer their belt with complete straps from one end to the other.  Now as mentioned above the ends do need to be skived down so as to not bulge and also be able to fit under the keeper when done. The above maker is just one of many as I mentioned but I have also been asked if I offer the belts with either a Kydex or metal liner so I am in the process of offering both, it does take a little more time to work with, and you also need to find a price point that will let you remain competitive in the market.  There is another maker that comes to mind when thinking about hybrid holster and belts and that is Aliengear, they came on the market a few years ago and have grown considerably in a few years and also offer the belts.  It never hurts to look at what others are doing to know what is going on in the market place until you can develop a niche of your own.

Guess both those "companies" order there belts from the same place and have there logo added to it.