Is this stitching weakening the belt loop?

[Tugadude]

If I were you I would glue it and then install the Chicago screws and leave it be.  It will suffice.  Try it and you be the judge.

[GeneH]

41 minutes ago, Tugadude said:

If I were you I would glue it and then install the Chicago screws and leave it be.  It will suffice.  Try it and you be the judge.

Sounds good. It will look better than imperfect stitching. I might stitch the bottom. Later I can do some practice pieces when I find the right bent and curved needles. Struck out at a local Joann fabrics. 

I will post pictures in the critique area when done.

[Rockoboy]

I have some bent needles, but I am not sure if they are saddlers needles (as I would prefer for this job).

Alternatively, get some cheap needles and break them off around an inch long.  Cheap needles for snapping off like this, could be cheap embroidery or sharp point needles. I have some broken needles for this exact job.

[jimi]

I personally do not see the stitching being a problem? I don´t think you even need the rivets if you are stitching this by hand top and bottom? you did say it was for an axe?? If it was for bungee jumping then maybe better with the rivets as well 

[bermudahwin]

You could try this if you are concerned about perforations, I don't think they're an issue, but if you do this would alleviate the 'weak' area. This is the way harness used to be stitched in the UK.

Harry

 

[GeneH]

This is for carrying a 1- 1/4 lb  hatchet.  I would have liked to go with only stitching just to say that I can, and even though I won't be using it for bungee jumping, I do what very solid, non-floppy, construction. A knotted paracord or brass ring would have sufficed, but that's so .... pedestrian.  :-) 

I cut the the strap off at the perforations last night and have test fit the chicago screws, leaving room for the vertical stitches that you have marked clearly on the diagram (thank you for that effort)

Rockoboy thanks for validating using shortened needles. I didn't know if I was going sideways or not.

I'm surprised how firm this leather is at this thickness, I bet the belt loop never loosens up using just screws, even without glue. However ... I'll glue this one and might even use it to practice the vertical stitching before I go on to the next.

 

Pictures in a couple days....

Edited February 15, 2019 by GeneH

[bermudahwin]

4 minutes ago, GeneH said:

I cut the the strap off at the perforations last night and have test fit the chicago screws, leaving room for the vertical stitches that you have marked clearly on the diagram (thank you for that effort)

Personally I would lose the screws for a small hatchet, but, again this is just my view. The screws will give it a rustic feel, and will add strength.

H

[GeneH]

Agreed on both points H. Screws or no screws is an aesthetic  roll of the dice for me. I left them off the hatchet mask for just that reason. 

 

[RockyAussie]

I think you quite rightly feel a reservation in the design construction. An axe falling from a failed construction could be at the cost of a toe or worse. Sometimes when you get a construction idea in your head it is difficult to think on ways that are necessary to make it work and still be economically affordable to manufacture. In my opinion stress points are the areas to be concentrated on and I would think about a complete change of design. For instance an upside down T shape cut with a single line external stitch down the front and the other piece folding back over the belt and down to the bottom edge with 2 rivets attaching at the bottom could be worth looking at. For cutting purposes it should be able to interlock each piece and save waste. The stress on the rivets at the back is reduced by the main pressure being supported by the belt firstly. The stitch at the front has little pressure as the forces are on the side and more to the back. Any stitching except at the front join would be only decorative. Hope that makes some sense.

[chrisash]

There are odd occasions where in a emergency it is better the joint fails, for instance imagine falling /sliding down a steep bank, the axe may do more damage to you attached than breaking free, just something to consider depending on your own circumstances 

Edited February 16, 2019 by chrisash