MattieMcFly Report post Posted May 24, 2017 I have a friend who has an old western style gun belt and wants to know if I can take off the old cracked lining of the inside of the belt and replace it. I am fairly new to leatherwork, I've made some wallets, keychains, leatherman cases. But I haven't messed with lining too much especially the removal of old lining. Once I get the old stitches out what is the best way to remove the old lining without damaging the belt? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpha2 Report post Posted May 24, 2017 Pictures would make a big difference in estimating what would be required. "Getting the old stitches out" can be a chore if it was saddle stitched as opposed to machine stitched. Also, how it was glued prior to stitching will affect your time and effort. When I make a mistake gluing and/or stitching, prying and cutting works, but it's not fun, and if you want to make any money for your time, be sure to account for that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LumpenDoodle2 Report post Posted May 25, 2017 Invest in a good quality stitch ripper, it is a less damaging way to remove stitching than using a sharp knife. That just leaves removing the old lining from the belt proper. So far, gently teasing up enough lining to get a grip of, and gently pulling off, has worked for me. I have then used a knife to gently 'pare' or skive off any stuck lining. All done gently, and controlled. I agree, pictures will help here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattieMcFly Report post Posted May 26, 2017 Got him to send me a few pics. Here they are. Thank you for the info so far. I wasn't sure if skiving/paring was the way to go or gently pulling, sounds like a mixture of both is the way to go. And yeah the stitch removal may take a while, looks like its saddle stitched. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpha2 Report post Posted May 26, 2017 Wow.That belt has seen some use! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted May 26, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, alpha2 said: Wow.That belt has seen some use! Yeah, might go on retire that one If it's for a buddy, I might try it... if you can cut the stitches (and i mean CUT, not unravel) and find that it was put together with rubber cement (not permanent bonding glue) then it should come apart fairly well. But then you're still rather obligated to stitch back in the same holes, which may be distorted in shape and spacing. A favor for a buddy with a belt with some sentimental value would be the only situation in which I would consider doing this. If it's just a belt (didn't belong to Grandad, or Elvis, for example) I might just tell my buddy he needs a new belt. Less hours involved in replacing it than repairing it. Course, if it belonged to Grandad, or Elvis, probly worth more if you DON'T restore it Edited May 26, 2017 by JLSleather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
