Best quality/buy on belt making leather????

[seagiant]

Hi,

        I want to make a few tooled belts (9/10 oz.) and I'm tired of buying blanks.

I want to get a double shoulder or back so I can get a better price per blank.

I'm looking for good tooling veg-tan, but I would prefer not paying $300?

Is there a "best buy" on a good belt leather hide???

                                                                                       Thanks!

[Roq]

If you are in the USA http://springfieldleather.com/Leather/Tooling?page=1

You can get double shoulder, a bend or a back; all will give you good belt blanks.

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Thanks, I saw this....

Herman Oak, I guess that is good as it gets.

If I can get 17 blanks that will be under half price per blank, that I was paying individually!!!

http://springfieldleather.com/Bend-Belt-HermannOak-Sngl-9-10

[JLSleather]

I have ordered backs and bends of HO leather from a number of places, and I can tell you that none of the "retailers" "B" grade looks nearly as nice as the "B" I've received from the tannery.

 

[seagiant]

41 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

I have ordered backs and bends of HO leather from a number of places, and I can tell you that none of the "retailers" "B" grade looks nearly as nice as the "B" I've received from the tannery.

 

Hi,

        What Tanneries do you buy from???

I can order from anyone I guess!

Has anyone tried any of the imports from Argentina, or is HO just the way to go????

40 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

 

 

[JLSleather]

Hermann Oak is nice leather.  Also, Wickett & Craig makes a nice piece - though it's a bit more money.  Tools, dyes, and stains very nicely.  Firm but not hard.

 

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Can I order from HO Tannery???

http://www.hermannoakleather.com/

Edited November 20, 2016 by seagiant

[thefanninator]

19 minutes ago, seagiant said:

Hi,

        Can I order from HO Tannery???

http://www.hermannoakleather.com/

Hermann Oak has a minimum of ten sides or backs of one thickness.

 

http://www.hermannoakleather.com/products-and-pricing/tooling-and-carving-20110204130556

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Thanks!

I saw this at Panhandle Leather.

Can all of this be used for belt blanks???

http://www.panhandleleather.com/HERMANN-OAK-LEATHER-SIZE-11-13-HOL-04.htm

[JLSleather]

I don't see anything in that listing which tells you the 'grade' of leather.  I always order "A" grade, and have used some quite nice "B" grade as well.

[seagiant]

Hi,

      Yes, admittedly not a lot of info!

Need to call I guess?

You seem not to want to divulge where you buy leather from???

[JLSleather]

Who, me?  I thought I already said.. Hermann Oak and Wickett & Craig.  I use both.

 

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Thanks!

Got a piece of HO I could get some belt blanks out of?

Looking for at least 10/11 oz thick?

54-60" long?

[JLSleather]

Nope, sorry.  I don't use anything that heavy.  Generally use 7/8 or 8/9 and line it with 4 oz (glued 'n' stitched).  And I aint got too much o' that, neither.. getting ready to pack 'n' move!

 

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Saw this!

I guess a "bend" is a single back?

I would think a "back" would be the best belt leather?

http://rjfleather.com/products/#vegtan

[JLSleather]

For efficient cutting of belts, you'd likely want either a bend or a double shoulder.

A "bend" is a single back with the shoulder portion removed.  Backs generaly aren't long enough to cut TWO strips, so that would be "trim" (not necessarily "waste")  I use backs, since I can cut a belt from the bend section and the matching holster from the shoulder section.  Tandy got a pretty good description of this: https://www.tandyleather.com/en/leather-buying-guide.html

I ordered from RJF once.  

[seagiant]

2 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

For efficient cutting of belts, you'd likely want either a bend or a double shoulder.

A "bend" is a single back with the shoulder portion removed.  Backs generaly aren't long enough to cut TWO strips, so that would be "trim" (not necessarily "waste")  I use backs, since I can cut a belt from the bend section and the matching holster from the shoulder section.  Tandy got a pretty good description of this: https://www.tandyleather.com/en/leather-buying-guide.html

I ordered from RJF once.  

Hi,

        I just figured out who you are.

You have a nice site and you very graciously offer free patterns for different items!

I am a hobby 1911 pistol gunsmith so thank you for the "Avenger" Pattern.

Haven't got to use it yet, but will shortly!

I will have to make some calls tomorrow and see what I can find out.

Thank you very much for answering my questions and pointing me in the right direction!

                                                                                                                                   Greg

[JLSleather]

Glad I could help

Now, you want the mag carrier for that 1911 for the cost of shipping?  I got one here on the desk (for about a month now) with a cosmetic "booger"... which you can have just for paying the shipping.  

It aint bad, it's what happens when you drop a drop of Fiebings oil dye on a mag carrier which already has finish on it (OOOPS!).  Unwilling to pitch it out, unwilling to sell it as "new", and don't carry a 1911

Pic shortly... assuming you don't "need" a mag from me, but this would actually let you see some 7/8 oz drum dyed skirting from W/C 

 

Edited November 20, 2016 by JLSleather

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Thanks!

I'll pass, as I'm left handed.

If you didn't highlight the spot, I don't think I would of seen it?

Looks like you hand sew?

I thought of a used sewing machine for the belts, but is seems to get a decent look, you need a $3000 machine?

I guess I will stick to handsewing for now! (I actually enjoy it anyway, no more than I do it!)

I just made a belt and a knife sheath (spydreco folder)

But I don't have my camera with me, I'll put up a pic here later so you can see what I'm trying to do!

Thanks again!

[JLSleather]

If you're doing belts / straps up to about 1/4" (which is WAY more than enough) you should be able to find a decent machine for maybe $1500-1800 (new).

 

[seagiant]

Hi,

       Any suggestions on machines, in that price range, that do a pretty stitch for belt borders???

[JLSleather]

I've not used one, but everybody who bought the Cowboy 3200 has good things to say about both the machine and the dealer they got it from.  Search that one on this forum.  If I didn't have machines here already I'd likely give that one a go.

There are others, too -- perhaps someone will chime in with more knowledge of various models than me ...

 

Edited November 20, 2016 by JLSleather

[seagiant]

Hi,

         Thanks, saw this!

 

[MADMAX22]

2 hours ago, seagiant said:

Hi,

       Any suggestions on machines, in that price range, that do a pretty stitch for belt borders???

Depends on exactly what you want to do. If you dont mind being limited by 207 thread and can work with a flat bed then the new 206RB5 are suppose to be pretty nice and come with everything for about $1400 I think it is, or the 3200 as above. There are also the 4500s that pop up used but are usually had for about $2000. Any of these sure as heck beat hand stitching each belt which takes 2-3 hrs depending on how fast ya are. 

 

[JLSleather]

I used to have one of the 206RB5.  Letting it go was not my best decision ever   Still, that really is limited to 207 thread (max), but was darn reliable.

Keep in mind that for actual knowledge, I would perhaps recommending a message to Wiz or Art here on the forums - either of whom has likely forgotten more than I know about various machines -- or give 'Cowboy Bob' a call (number on teh web site)