Methods for Attaching Loops

[JRB]

Gavingear gave me some info on this in a post of his but rather than completely hi-jacking his post I thought I start one.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to attach loops on an IWB holster. I'm going thru about 1/2" of leather (maybe more if I use an additional spacer). I would like the attachment point of the holster & loop to be the snap stud. So far have not been able to find snap post long enough.

Id doesn't have to be a rivet because the ability to remove it would be handy for future ideas.

Any thoughts?

[TwinOaks]

If you don't want to use rivets to attach the snap base, the only other option I can think of would be a t-nut and a pan head screw through the snap base.

Chigaco screw would be nice, but I don't know if you'd be able to do it through the snap...maybe check hardware sources for small ones? ( I remember seeing 'threaded posts' at Lowe's)

Edited January 2, 2009 by TwinOaks

[Shorts]

I use Tnuts and machine screw studs to attach my IWB loops.

Mike touched on the Chicago screws as well (post length can vary). You can take a Chicago screw on the backside and a low shelf snap socket and use a small flat screw (8-32) through the center hole to attach. This method is a little more tricky since the female end of the snap can be finnicky about fitting over the screw (which is why it must be flat and small to set below the rim)

[JRB]

I'm not opposed to using rivets for the holsters that won't be IWB/OWB. But, when I tried to use my rivet posts w/my snap studs I could get it to work. Then I tried traditional 1/8" aluminum rivets like shown below and couldn't get them to work either.

Where is a good place to get the T nuts?

I'm currently playing w/the Chicago screws but I'm not sure about them yet. I think I need a little longer screw to go thru the snap stud cause I don't feel like I have enough thread in the post to have any strength.

I think on the next one that will serve as IWB only I'll attach the loops on the front piece before I glue & stitch the front & back together. That will help w/the thickness issue. Maybe I won't have to worry about after you guys educate me!

Thanks for your help guys!

[Shorts]

I think on the next one that will serve as IWB only I'll attach the loops on the front piece before I glue & stitch the front & back together.

That's what I do for snaps. It gives the back of the holster a nice clean surface.

Offhand, Chicago screws have longer post in nickle, but only the 1/4" in black. (that I have found)

Tnuts can be blacked for a nicer presentation when they are exposed. Though finding black Tnuts is like finding a unicorn or leprechaun Anyone looking for black Tnuts, see RawhideLeather in the Marketplace section

Ohh, there is a great post about attaching snaps to a belt via rivets. I works beautifully and leaves a tidy clean look, let me see if i can find it....

Here it is: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...;hl=belt+snaps*

Edited January 2, 2009 by Shorts

[JRB]

Ohh, there is a great post about attaching snaps to a belt via rivets. I works beautifully and leaves a tidy clean look, let me see if i can find it....

Here it is: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...;hl=belt+snaps*

So you're putting the rivet post thru the front side of the snap stud rather than from the back side of the holster. I'll give this a try.

Here are a few pics of what I'm working on. A few thing to change include moving the stiching out a little (it's a bit snug) and making ea. side a little bigger and to come up to a point at ea. top corner. I'm thinking that will allow a better attachment point for the loops to get the holster to tuck deeper.