Gluing layers for a gun belt

[LumpenDoodle2]

I cut the lining larger than the belt, then offer the belt to the liner.    Make sure the centre of the belt touches down first, Then trim the lining to fit.

Cutting everything to size first, I found just wasted more time for me getting things lined up than the leather saved was worth.

[Dwight]

You guys are a lot better than this old codger. 

Trying to cut 1/8 of an inch off each side of a liner, . . . then have to still sand the edges to be sure they are "flat", . . . sure is a lot more work than I'm willing to do.

They start out the exact same size, . . . and only need minor sanding where the stamping may have swelled the top out, . . . or something like that.  

Oversize or same size, . . . still gotta sand it, . . . why put yourself in a pickle for that extra step???  Besides that, . . . I know me, . . . I'll slip with the old cutter, . . . and wind up with a slice in the belt, . . . nahhhh....

May God bless,

Dwight

[Bayou Bengal]

I do it the same way as Dwight.  Except I lay a long piece of wax paper down first and lay the top side face down and apply the liner.  Then I fold the wax paper over tap on it, then place a metal yardstick over the belt and wax paper and put a few clamps on the bottom of my table over the yard stick.  Never had any problems and sanding the edges has always been simple. 

[Joon1911]

An old woodworker’s trick for gluing laminate to countertops works well too. Have a bunch of short 1/4” dowel that you can lay down every 4” or so and once you get the two layers aligned you can start removing the dowels and sticking the two layers together.  Works like a charm. And if the contact cement is fully dry to tack, it doesn't even stick to the dowels.  

Edited June 2, 2018 by Joon1911
Typo

[Lobo]

I always used Fiebings Tanners Bond cement. Allows a reasonable working period to get everything in alignment. After it sets up you cannot separate the two layers without using a blade. Always figured what was good enough for saddle makers should be good enough for belts and holsters.

I also cut my lining layers a slightly wider dimension, then dressed the edges down on the sander after stitching, then bevel edges for finishing.

[koreric75]

8 hours ago, Lobo said:

I always used Fiebings Tanners Bond cement. Allows a reasonable working period to get everything in alignment. After it sets up you cannot separate the two layers without using a blade. Always figured what was good enough for saddle makers should be good enough for belts and holsters.

I also cut my lining layers a slightly wider dimension, then dressed the edges down on the sander after stitching, then bevel edges for finishing.

The Tanner's bond is pretty quick to stick if you let it sit and dry first... If you join while still tacky/or right after applying you can move it around a bit depending on if you peel off the flesh with it.... Then you'd just be smushing two pieces of unglued leather together.  You can touch up with a little dab in these small spots and be ok for a belt, also provided your liner doesn't stretch...

[PJCustomLeather]

I have a question along this subject matter. I was looking to line a belt with something and I was wondering what leather and thickness people use. I have looked at quite a few custom carved belts and it looks like they have a liner but it looks pretty thin. Any suggestions?

Edited June 21, 2018 by PJCustomLeather

[Dwight]

PJ, . . . depending on the desired thickness at the end of the job, . . . it will be between two layers of 6 oz and two layers of 8 oz.  I like cutting the pieces from the same hide, . . . side by side if I can.

I don't do much custom carving (actually try to avoid it) so I'm not the best source, . . . just giving you the info on how I do it.

The video shows how I put em together.  

 

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited June 21, 2018 by Dwight
Added a video

[chrisash]

On 6/2/2018 at 1:32 AM, garypl said:

Agree with Bonecross - mark one piece larger , glue the pieces, then trim both edges.  You can also place a piece of paper over the bottom piece to keep the ends apart while you are placing the top piece onto the bottom piece.  This will not stick to either piece and you can move it down the length as you work your way from one end to the other.

Gary

I do like this paper idea, so simple but so so effective

[garypl]

Thanks for posting the video Dwight - I like how you mate up the liner with the folded over buckle end of the belt!

Gary