Looking for DC area leatherworker to rebuild western concho belt

[Guest Mountain]

Hello - new here.  

I have an old Jeep Collins concho belt. The belt is too large so the conchos must be moved to a smaller belt (which I have). Does anyone hear have any ideas? I live in the DC area.

Thanks -

Mountain

[NikkiPizzini]

I redo concho belts all the time. Can you post a picture? or message me directly for my number.

[Northmount]

8 minutes ago, NikkiPizzini said:

I redo concho belts all the time. Can you post a picture? or message me directly for my number.

Guests do not have access to PMs.

Tom

[Guest Mountain]

Hi Nicki - It's a complicated story. The belt was rebuilt but some of the conchos came off. I took off the rest, so what I have are the conchos, buckle, keeper and tip. Here's an example of a Jeep Collins belt for sale on ebay. My conchos are different - they are rectangular, which means they have corners that catch unless sunk into the leather.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Retired-JEEP-COLLINS-Belt-Sterling-Silver-buckle-11-Stag-element-Leather-/111735294595?hash=item1a03f14a83%3Ag%3AyHIAAOSw9N1VwW-3

Is there another way of getting hold of you? Thanks.

Mountain

[Wizcrafts]

On 11/17/2016 at 11:49 AM, Guest Mountain said:

Hello - new here.  

I have an old Jeep Collins concho belt. The belt is too large so the conchos must be moved to a smaller belt (which I have). Does anyone hear have any ideas? I live in the DC area.

Thanks -

Mountain

Since your conchos use Chicago screws to attach them to a belt, why don't you just get a hole punching tool and punch holes for them into your new belt, then screw them on yourself? The actual hole diameter for Chicago screws is 3/16 inch (aka: #6 leather hole punch).

As for the corners protruding on bends, that is difficult to fix short of cutting out the area used be each concho to countersink them, so to speak. That will require either a two layer belt, with the top layer having the cutouts, or a steady hand with a leather gouging tool.

The three piece buckle set also needs to be fitted. I missed that when I first posted my reply.

[Guest Mountain]

This very sad story has even another chapter. The conchos were fastened to the original belt with rivets. The conchos had to be cut off the old belt and a silversmith soldered Chicago posts on the conchos. Some popped off with use. So part of rebuilding this belt involves putting on new rivets or Chicago posts. Yes, I'm going a long way here but the belt has great sentimental value.

Thanks for your post.

[NikkiPizzini]

I see. Well, depending on what the conchos are made of, I can re-braize the conchos missing the posts. You can send me better pictures over email. bowensleatherco(at)gmaildotcom 

[Guest Mountain]

On 11/21/2016 at 11:08 AM, Wizcrafts said:

Since your conchos use Chicago screws to attach them to a belt, why don't you just get a hole punching tool and punch holes for them into your new belt, then screw them on yourself? The actual hole diameter for Chicago screws is 3/16 inch (aka: #6 leather hole punch).

As for the corners protruding on bends, that is difficult to fix short of cutting out the area used be each concho to countersink them, so to speak. That will require either a two layer belt, with the top layer having the cutouts, or a steady hand with a leather gouging tool.

The three piece buckle set also needs to be fitted. I missed that when I first posted my reply.

Thanks,to both Nikki and Wizcrafts. Much to think about as a result of your thoughtful insights. 

Best,

Mountain