Belts.

dang, it's 8:30am and already 22C/71F supposedly this will go as high as 38C/100F today :( wtf am i doing at work?

btw dave, if you want you can use my belt to take the pictures for the wip, i'm in no hurry.
 
Horsewright said:
Dang Kaizo that's hot! Did you say you were in London? I was in Edinburgh one summer when it hit the low 90s. People were falling over dead in Princess Street Gardens, literally dead.
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Yup right bang in North London and people were falling like flies over here too! It was pretty much the definition of carnage (or at least for my productivity). I'm surprised it went that hot in Scotland! Pimms and lemonade must have been great in that weather :P
 
Excellent stuff my friends. Kaizo, I'm happy to take any and all advice!

Dave, I've used a few buckles for other things (and it goes for D rings) and you're spot on. The quoted size doesn't always match reality. Thanks for pointing this out because I probably would have gotten ahead of myself.

Btw, I meant to ask you about that splitter. Which model is it and do you like it?
 
Yep Nichole picked up that little splitter cause she's making a lot of headstalls now and needed it. For what we're using it for it works very well. Mostly for her headstalls and belt linings etc. so just strap work. I wanna say she got it from Tandy but I'm not real sure, its not marked. Its real drawback is in adjusting for the weight/sze of the split. Its just done off a locking nut. So you have to adjust that for each project. Its not marked 4 oz, 8 oz or whatever. So you have to adjust and then run scrap and then adjust and then run scrap until you get it right then lock down your nut. Very seriously considering the Cobra splitter but am running out of room in my little shop. You know I made it for a gillion years without a splitter but even this itty bitty cheapo is dang handy, which is why we're considering the Cobra. One of those things I didn't know how much I needed one.

dwHW2CG.jpg


The last headstall she finished. See its kind of like working on a belt only smaller. Both pieces are split to a uniform thickness before gluing and sewing. This one is horsehide.
 
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Sounds like you have one like mine, its so small that it can hide in the smallest spot on the bench, and yea its VERY handy as long as the blade is sharp. Mine came a little dull but a while on a nice flat stone made it track real nice.

I did find out that pulling the leather too hard causes "waves" to happen. Not sure to this day how, but it happens to me. I blame it on the spring that is supposed to hold it steady.

I've had this one for a little over ten years now, but still not 100% on it. I still goof up one split every once in a while. If you have any tricks or advice please do let me know. I cant and wont spend the money for the "better" model.
 
Thats right you did, Strig. That was funny got me laughing remebering you picking those up. Dwayne ours is a 4" wide deal. The blade came sharp and I've done nothing too it, not even buffing the edge. Got it mounted on the corner of the bench. At first I noticed the waves a little as Nichole was using it then I realized they came from where she was starting and stopping and re starting her pull. Long continuous pulls (and where ours is mounted we can even step back several feet as we pull) even those out completely. Just being steady and continuous seems to really make the difference. It does a really good job. The only problem we ever had was pulling too quickly and the edge would run towards the side and get cut wonkily. Staying straight and steady fixed that too. On really long straps we might have a second person on the feeding end helping to keep it straight. But if the pull is cosisent they don't do much.
 
http://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/3790-00.aspx

This is mine, sounds like we have the same one. :D I talked to another fellow that has one and his came really sharp as well. I bet I just got a sharpener on a bad day. It happens.

I'll have to do some more work with it after I get it remounted, I bet I am going a little fast with it. I can feel it thumping as it skips along the leather making those little humps.

As soon as I get it mounted again, if you dont mind, I'll be writing for some advice and or tips.
 
How about an insert between the layers to make the belt stiffer? Carbon fiber cloth on a bias, a plastic, or idk? I like a super stiff belt. Any thoughts.
 
Horsewright said:
Thats right you did, Strig. That was funny got me laughing remebering you picking those up.
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Jeez Dave you weren't supposed to notice that. Guys got eyes on the back of his head. :)

Interesting wanting a very stiff belt. Cf would rule the school if you're going for the cool factor, but I'm not sure how well it would work. Kydex is flexible and you could thermoform a section or two lightly. Not sure I'd want a belt that stiff though.
 
what about other thermoplasts? like the stuff tandy is advertising?
what about biothane as inner lining? depending on what you pick it is probably rather abrasion resistant and rigid, plus it can be sewed as far as i understand.
 
I've seen some holster belts that were lined with a stiffener, not sure what it was though.

Also when researching old Ranger belts I found some with rope inserted in the sides for added rigidity.

It was fun looking at all way that the old western riggers solved the issues of carrying that heavy revolver. One even had a piece of curved rebar inside. I guess when your sick and tired of replacing your belts when that holster breaks them down........
 
Super thin just to keep the top to bottom stiff but can still "wrap" around you sewed in or just glued between the two layers.
 
Here comes "Johnny-come-lately", late as usual but ...I'm guessing you gents are referring to this splitter from Tandy. https://tandyleather.com/collections/machines/products/craftool-high-tech-leather-splitter
I got it in my head to make a couple of belts, the first (practice) in 7-9 oz cow leather with a 4-6 liner and if all goes well, the second will be in buffalo leather. I've read Horsewright Horsewright 's post/tutorial I have the leathers and the time (finally, a week vacation). I know I have to skive the ends so, I'm gonna try the first with a small skiever and see how it comes out. I may decide to splurge and buy the one I linked to if you guys say it is worth it.
 
It’s useless for anything but light strap work but yep that was the one we were talking about. Just for info on the buffalo belts I don’t skive the ends. Really only did that with that thicker bridle leather. That leather sure needed it though.
 
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