Determining Belt Length

[superpacker]

I’ve seen conflicting examples. Some say measure from the end of the buckle to their favorite hole on an existing belt. And others say that you measure from where the strap starts at the buckle end to their favorite hole on existing belt. So which is it? And does it make a difference if The existing belt has a heel buckle And the belt being made will have a center bar buckle?

[alpha2]

It doesn't matter which method you use, as long as the person ordering the belt, and the person making the belt, AGREE on which method to use. I personally use the far end of the buckle to the hole that the wearer presently uses. If you think about it, the circumference is not the distance from the strap fold to the hole. It's the circumference from where the tongue of the buckle goes through the hole in use, not where the end of the strap is. 

It just has to be an apples and apples, not apples and oranges measurement.

Edited November 13, 2017 by Northmount
changed diamter to circumference (with poster's permission)

[Stetson912]

Like alpha said, the circumference of the belt is from where the tongue enters the hole be of the belt. I measure from the tongue to the most used hole. This then becomes the distance from the buckle to center hole on the belt being made (most traditionally at least) then 2 holes either side of the center for a 5hole belt (or 3 on either side for a 7 hole belt) and another 2 and 1/2 to 4 inches to the last hole for a decent sized billet to grab and work with. 

The reason I prefer this is because I can easily incorporate trophy buckles without needing to remeasure or worry about the belt being too long using the second mentioned method. 

Really, both methods work. Just the second one you have to take into account the buckle being used ect. If you measure from strap fold to belt hole and think they are using a buckle that's 1 and 1/2" long when in fact they are using a trophy buckle, your belt will be too short. So keep that in mind haha (been there.. oops) 

I recently made a 7 hole belt but the third hole was my mark. It left 4 inches to "expand" and 2 for any extra cinching needed. I like 1" spacing too, bit 3/4" is used by some also. All in all, it comes down to what works for you.  

[RockyAussie]

17 hours ago, superpacker said:

I’ve seen conflicting examples. Some say measure from the end of the buckle to their favorite hole on an existing belt. And others say that you measure from where the strap starts at the buckle end to their favorite hole on existing belt. So which is it? And does it make a difference if The existing belt has a heel buckle And the belt being made will have a center bar buckle?

Its all a bit rubbery I reckon. I think that the measurement when taken from where the strap starts from the buckle end is a rough guide for when you have been given a waist measurement that someone has taken with a waist measure tape. When you look at the circumference difference between a tape measure and a 4mm or 10oz piece of leather..... the leather has to be 1" longer to reach the same distance when wrapped around. That is about an average buckle gap to where the tongue would go into the hole or near enough. If the belt is thinner or more stretchy measurements will change a bit but is normally safe enough to use unless a long prong type buckle is wanted. Still will normally work alright though. If you have a belt of the customers to work with then you would use as a guide.. the buckle prong or where the tongue touches the  buckle to the most worn hole unless there is going to be a big difference in the leather thickness. Here you can allow for the differences in buckle lengths as well. Now that should make it all a bit clearer     Regards Brian

[ComputerDoctor]

Obviously leave room for GROWTH so the belt will be in use for a few years:)

Sam

[Dwight]

I learned a long time ago, . . . from a fellow who wore 36 inch waist jeans, . . . and I made him a 36 inch belt.  ALWAYS measure their belt.

Come to find out . . . they had stretched to the point he needed a 41 inch belt.

SO:  make the individual take off the belt they are wearing when they order their new one.  Measure from just inside the outermost part of the buckle, . . . to the hole he / she used today, . . . and you should not go wrong.

I always add 3 holes each way from that measurement, . . . so they have room to expand and contract . . . people have a habit of doing that.

The one exception to this rule I ever found, . . . measured a guy up for a 53 inch long western belt.  By the time he came back to get it 6 weeks later, . . . he needed a 56 inch belt.  

Anyway this system itself has never let me down, . . . people have.

May God bless,

Dwight