Ok, so after making my very first leather belt (click here to view that project), I decided I could probably make a better one. Softer leathers such as garment leather stretches easier and therefore it is easier to cut it with super shears as opposed to a utility knife. So many options are available and it's a very personal choice, either for the maker, or for whom it will be made for. I adjusted the width of the groover to be about 1/2" inset from the edge of the belt. We hope you find this article on how to cut a leather belt useful. Shaving off some of the thickness in the place where you just made the holes helps the belt fold over itself for the buckle and loops. Belts can also be great gifts for friends and family members. Then, make two more hole punches on either side of the center hole. The deglazer will darken the leather when it's first applied, making it easy to know where you have applied it. Slide the belt loop onto the material as well, in between the skived ends. However, the process of correcting the grain seals the surface of the hide, meaning it is easier to maintain, but takes much longer to develop a beautiful patina. Be careful not to cut yourself. How does one shorten the belt without changing the style or damaging the leather? The belt is now complete, so cool!
Remove buckle screw, belt loops and other parts. How To Shrink Leather Shoes – And Keep Them Looking Good. Step 3: Create a new hole. Keep your knives sharp. It is available is a variety of widths and lengths, and great for beginner leather working. 5 inches wide and 2 inches long. In some cases, a belt may be able to be shortened using a tensioner or by cutting off the excess length. First, cut off the buckle of the belt. Once you know the width of the belt, you can get the hardware for it. In this instructable I'll show you how to cut both thick and thin leathers, and give some tips on how to get the best cut. But be aware that this approach can be challenging, since the pattern may shift during cutting. So I laid the groover onto the material, and drew it towards me. So, we shave away (skive) about 1/2 of each underside of the leather that will wrap around the buckle.
Screw the Belt Pieces Together. Often the portion of the belt that gets wrapped around a buckle is thinned so it is not so bulky. I already had a rivet kit with assorted sizes and colors of rivets, so I just pulled a few from that. You don't have to, but it is better to speed up the drying of the dye because you can't use oil on the leather until it is completely dry. It is up to you to familiarize yourself with these restrictions. Slick down the edges by applying a layer of gum tragacanth, a thickening agent made from the sap of Middle Eastern legumes. Take this time to shape the end of the belt. This will work well for dress wear, or more casual every-day wear. Well, my Dad likes belts, has always had belts:), and would likely value function over looks (if I messed it up a bit while making it). Leather belts are a popular accessory for both men and women. Mission accomplished! Apply a few, thin coats. How to Stamp Leather – Tools, Techniques, and Step by Step. This type of leather is often used to make low quality mass-produced belts and cheap upholstered furniture.
So the belt blank is grooved, edged, and burnished. Leather is actually one of the easiest materials you can use, provided you're using a sharp blade and not simply trying to tear it apart like paper. Then, cut the leather strap as close to the buckle as possible. Should it become wet, dry it immediately with a soft cloth.
Fold the skived ends of the belt together, and plan where the loop and rivets will go. Each hole should be spaced an inch apart. Just apply more to other areas to even it out. What is the Best Tool to Cut Leather Belt? The cost of cutting a belt will depend on the width and length of the belt and the type of leather. Width is a factor as well.
Cut slowly and carefully at first until you get used to it. To cut belt strips from tooling leather, you first need to straighten the skin. It's made of wood, and it has a slot where you can insert blades. Take this step very slowly or you could end up with a piece of leather that is not straight and basically unusable. 5Slick down the edges of the belt.
This includes items that pre-date sanctions, since we have no way to verify when they were actually removed from the restricted location. 5Use the strap cutter. Make sure that you apply even pressure when cutting. With the power burnisher it was much easier to press down too hard in certain areas, or hold the burnisher too long in one place and see the leather start to burn. Once you're happy with the shape, use scissors to cut along the line. Do not force the blade through the leather. If it is too long, they will have to cut both sides. The answer will depend on the specific belt and how it is used. This method, however, can be tiring.
Generally, a rivet or two will be places towards the end of the folded material, to secure the folded over leather in place. Burnishing can be done by hand, or with an electrically powered tool, such as a drill or rotary tool. I was so worried about the color rubbing off! However, it is not good at cutting straps and belts that are 8 or 9 ounces.
Adding oils and moisture back into dry leather can help its flexibility. If your knife isn't very sharp, then consider getting some high-quality blades for the best results.