Thanks so much for talking through the video again. I don't know who ever complained, but I learn much more when you are explaining what you are doing and why you are doing it that way.
Ian, thanks for the video and all the others. It gave me the courage to make my son a leather belt for his 9th birthday. I think I am going with a center bar buckle and all stitching. I hope he likes it.
Absolutely the most informative video I've watched thus far! My BF wants to learn about the world of Handmade Leather Crafting and would like to begin with a belt. Since he has no idea where to start, I've done a lot of research to purchase necessary start up, quality tools. Along the way, I've learned how to make a belt myself! My only wish is that those posting DIY videos would give information about the exact size tools they are using throughout the video. It would make my research so much easier. Great video...you are a natural teacher!
+Michele Grahl there is no such thing as exact sized tools in this regard, the right tools should be used for the project. The size of edge beveler should be matched to the leather, the holes to the buckle etc I don't really say exactly what I'm using because whoever is making their own belt won't be using the same leather and buckle as me and so on so it would be misleading.
I worked in a shoe factory when I was younger, and one of my jobs was burnishing the raw leather heels. We had a machine similar to a bench grinder which had a hollow, inflated, ribbed rubber wheel on it. We also had canvas sleeves which fit over the wheel with a drawstring on each side to tighten it to the wheel (the ribbing on the rubber wheel also helped keep the canvas sleeve from slipping). Then, using a horsehair brush about the size of a toothbrush, dipped in water, we wet the leather heel, and then guided the heel around against the spinning canvas-covered burnishing wheel. This quickly made the raw leather heel slick/smooth and ready to be stained. We used the same machine to do the same thing to the heel after staining, but when doing that, we put wax on the burnishing wheel, and it shined up the finish on the heel. A machine like that would work great for burnishing the edges of a leather belt, and it would be effortless. We used a different type of machine for smoothing the raw edges of the leather soles, called an edge setting machine. That was my job too. It had a small block of steel (which was called the "iron") heated by a heating element. It was mounted on an arm which vibrated side-to-side very rapidly. It was also on a spring-loaded suspension. We would wet the edge of the sole with the horsehair brush, then press the edge of the sole up hard against that hot, vibrating iron; hard enough to compress the spring suspension. Then we would guide the sole around, keeping hard pressure up against the iron, smoothing out the rough leather in the same way that burnishing does. This is what an edge setting machine looks like - i.imgur.com/LfCihcr.jpg. It wouldn't be suitable for burnishing the edge of a belt though, because a belt isn't rigid enough to use with it.
Thank you for a very clear and detailed description of making belts. I just bought a side of veg tan leather from Tandy and am starting to cut straps, but the belt making is a bit daunting. Everything I'm learning about leatherworking is through TH-cam and trial and error. I appreciate well-made videos such as yours to help me continue growing in my craft!
I have a more up to date video than this one which is a bull build along with patterns and diagrams if you're interested available on my shop, the link is in the description
This is such a great tutorial! The best one I found- trust me, I have scrutinized the Internet for a detailed leather crafting tutorial for months! Great job, I am looking forward to making my own belt soon!
Another excellent video Ian. You're a fantastic teacher and it is encouraging to hear all of the little tid bits that you put into your commentary (like you lost your sponge, like we all do all the time :) I learned a lot and, as I now have four belts to make, it was just in time before I completely hashed up the first few in trial and error. Cheers
Another great video! I have went from making just custom knives, to custom knives with sheaths....now it looks like I may have to add a belt! Thanks again Ian
I have always thought that you should use the middle hole in the belt but could never find any belts that would fit that way. This is a well thought out video and I appreciate it very much. It looks like I'll be modifying my current belts. I feel pretty silly not actually being able to put into words that you did so eloquently. Thank you
I inherited my grandpa's leather working tools and I've been dabbling but I still don't know what a majority of the the tools in the box even do, but this video was great! I learned what two of the mystery tools in my box were! Now I know how to use the safety skiver and the edge beveler.
I love your work Ian. You always inspire me to improve my work and stay committed to producing the best quality within my capacity. Cheers friend. Thanks for sharing all of these wonderful videos. I hope it's worth it to you as well.
Ian, you make some of the best tutorials about leather making and techniques i have found, thanks for the effort, you've really taught me a lot! :-) Should you ever be in Århus, Denmark, give me a shout, I'd happily buy you a pint!
Regarding the Buckle dimensions, it is always good to see if you can determine the manufacturers tolerances. I can imagine that they could have come in smaller too.
Thanks again Ian. Great vide as always. Will you please consider making another watch band video with a more practical band? As with this belt video, it would make a good starting point for beginners.
on the subject of the rivets or sewing, my belt has sewing all around the edge for aesthetics and it took only and hour and a half or so, so i imagine it would take around 5 to 10 minutes to sew it in. I originally intended to do both.
You can't edge-burnish chrome or latigo, only veg-tan. Normally you'd edge-burnish around the buckle area first, then glue and rivet, and finish off sanding and burnishing where the buckle tail meets the belt so it presents as a single edge.
A large diameter sharp drill bit will bevel the inside of your punched holes. The hammer in my experience can distort the clean edges skin side from the punch. Line up the bit and give it a twist. Let me know if it works for you. Cheers
Hello, I love your videos and the stuff you make. I recently took up leather craft about a year ago so I am still new to this. Do you know of a graceful way I could piece together leather straps to make a larger belt? The leather I have is not long enough for my father and I just want to still make it look nice. Any ideas would be great!
Hello 👋 I’m quite curious if your ruler has a special name. I’ve search for a grooved ruler like yours as my fingers at times get in the way of my cuts and can not locate one. Keep up the great work ty!
Well, a lot longer than the usual belts you get. If you using some high end belts (good manufacturers, real leather, especially full-grain leather) then the difference is not that big in my opinion.
My uncle makes leather belts and he says that you can use any bit of leather as long as you treat it with warm water first then oil it before crafting.
Great tutorial! When you are speaking of how to a person should measure their current belt for the size from the hole to the end of the buckle....what if the buckle they are using on their belt is longer or shorter. I had this happen to me and their buckle was much longer on their old belt than a traditional buckle I use. How do you tackle this? Thanks!
+Colette Rymer make no difference, you set it so the distance from the end of the buckle to the middle hole is the same (this is the circumference of the belt when it's closed) the actual buckle length has no bearing on that.
+Colette Rymer please refer to the diagram in the video, you should make sure they measure that way and you measure that way then everyone's on the same page. Neither of you should be using a trouser size.
I would love to have seen how you finished off the belt end where you pressed you logo. Was there just a length of flap with your logo? Does it remain firm and not become floppy with usage?
Hi, if you'd like to learn how to make the belt please check out my build along pattern #9 the details are in the description, that is an updated version of this video
Hi Ian, I got some of the leather finish you recommended from Goods Japan, and you were right. It is so much better then gum tragacanth. Any idea where one could find a leather plane?
Hi, did you use Tandy Rivets with your riveting press? I really like the smooth rivets on both sides like you have. All the rivets I seem to have found for presses have the star shaped "ruptured" style on the one side. I would very much like a press, because I suffer horribly from wonky rivets with the hammer!
Hey Ian nice video man if I want to start to make my own belt where can I buy the accessories ect belt buckles ,punch , leather straps ect can you provide source ... Thanks man grate skills
Great video, I was looking to purchase a belt cutter like the on seen in your video but then noticed the Tandy Leather Tabletop Leather Lace Cutter, would this be better for cutting belts?
With an English Tan bridle [for horses], the edges are often a contrasting dark colour, I would like to replicate this on a belt but am frightened that I would end up with edge cote all over the belt. So I thought I might use an antiquing paste. Is the Edgecote more user friendly than a standard dye. OR does burnishing give a good effect, maybe with a tiny bit of boot polish
So. if you would need to make a leather strap/belt thats longer than the material you have access to.. is there a way of cutting it in a non-linear way and "stretch/form" it to a straight piece?
Thumbed up for epic peter vs chicken fight shirt lol. One question I did have is how would you figure the actual length for someone else if they asked you to make one for them? I know you went over it briefly in the beginning, but I'm still kinda lost on that aspect.
Another great video. Thank you. How did you finish off the portion your makers mark was on? The last I could see, that end was just loose. I think contact cement would work there, but you may have had a better idea. Thanks again for the video.
hello, very nice belt and very detailed tutorial, thanks! i also have two questions, what size of rivets did you use (post size) and did you also apply edge kote or dye to the sides before adding the gum trag? thanks Ian!
If making a belt from veg tan leather that is not pre dyed, would you apply tan kote to the flesh side or the resolene after applying the fiebings oil dye?
Hi Ian, may I ask which part of leather is the best for making camera / bag straps? I would like to use a strong leather part that saves my stuff from gravity. Thank you!
Awsome vid! Just wondering, would you say it is ok to just use gum trag and not wet the edge and burnish. If I was just to use gum trag and no water would it end up ok?
is it possible to take 2 pieces 2mm soft tempered leather, oil tanned or pebbled, glue and stitch them together to form a belt? its just that most of the veg tuned leathers and bridle are too stiff for my taste. id like a softer belt
+nelson 4568 Neatsfoot Oil the veg tanned leather and then work it. The leather will soften nicely. Mink oil afterwards or use another conditioner/waterproofer. If that's still not soft enough, take your two pieces of leather and lace them together. Make the lacing a part of the design. I wouldn't stitch it, that probably wouldn't hold up. Look at an old belt - see how it bows in the back? That's a lot of stress. Leather lace will hold up a lot better.
hey ian, im working on some leather stuff. what can i do to make my belts as soft and pliable as possable. some hints as to the right die ro maybe im using the wrong leather. thanks
+Kerry-Anne Young if you are talking about having top grain leather on both sides - yes, you can cement/glue two thinner straps together and stitch the edges.
I made this! and after 8 or so years still wear it every day. Thank you
Thanks so much for talking through the video again. I don't know who ever complained, but I learn much more when you are explaining what you are doing and why you are doing it that way.
Ian, thanks for the video and all the others. It gave me the courage to make my son a leather belt for his 9th birthday. I think I am going with a center bar buckle and all stitching. I hope he likes it.
Absolutely the most informative video I've watched thus far! My BF wants to learn about the world of Handmade Leather Crafting and would like to begin with a belt. Since he has no idea where to start, I've done a lot of research to purchase necessary start up, quality tools. Along the way, I've learned how to make a belt myself! My only wish is that those posting DIY videos would give information about the exact size tools they are using throughout the video. It would make my research so much easier. Great video...you are a natural teacher!
+Michele Grahl there is no such thing as exact sized tools in this regard, the right tools should be used for the project. The size of edge beveler should be matched to the leather, the holes to the buckle etc I don't really say exactly what I'm using because whoever is making their own belt won't be using the same leather and buckle as me and so on so it would be misleading.
Great to see someone so precise to get such a clean professional result
I worked in a shoe factory when I was younger, and one of my jobs was burnishing the raw leather heels. We had a machine similar to a bench grinder which had a hollow, inflated, ribbed rubber wheel on it. We also had canvas sleeves which fit over the wheel with a drawstring on each side to tighten it to the wheel (the ribbing on the rubber wheel also helped keep the canvas sleeve from slipping). Then, using a horsehair brush about the size of a toothbrush, dipped in water, we wet the leather heel, and then guided the heel around against the spinning canvas-covered burnishing wheel. This quickly made the raw leather heel slick/smooth and ready to be stained. We used the same machine to do the same thing to the heel after staining, but when doing that, we put wax on the burnishing wheel, and it shined up the finish on the heel.
A machine like that would work great for burnishing the edges of a leather belt, and it would be effortless.
We used a different type of machine for smoothing the raw edges of the leather soles, called an edge setting machine. That was my job too. It had a small block of steel (which was called the "iron") heated by a heating element. It was mounted on an arm which vibrated side-to-side very rapidly. It was also on a spring-loaded suspension. We would wet the edge of the sole with the horsehair brush, then press the edge of the sole up hard against that hot, vibrating iron; hard enough to compress the spring suspension. Then we would guide the sole around, keeping hard pressure up against the iron, smoothing out the rough leather in the same way that burnishing does. This is what an edge setting machine looks like - i.imgur.com/LfCihcr.jpg. It wouldn't be suitable for burnishing the edge of a belt though, because a belt isn't rigid enough to use with it.
Thank you for a very clear and detailed description of making belts. I just bought a side of veg tan leather from Tandy and am starting to cut straps, but the belt making is a bit daunting. Everything I'm learning about leatherworking is through TH-cam and trial and error. I appreciate well-made videos such as yours to help me continue growing in my craft!
I have a more up to date video than this one which is a bull build along with patterns and diagrams if you're interested available on my shop, the link is in the description
@@Leodis.Leather Thank you. I will be sure to check out those patterns.
I'm glad to see another great vid from who many of us are Inspired. Keep up the great work
Best leather craftsman I have seen yet!!! Very impressed!!
This is such a great tutorial! The best one I found- trust me, I have scrutinized the Internet for a detailed leather crafting tutorial for months! Great job, I am looking forward to making my own belt soon!
Another excellent video Ian. You're a fantastic teacher and it is encouraging to hear all of the little tid bits that you put into your commentary (like you lost your sponge, like we all do all the time :) I learned a lot and, as I now have four belts to make, it was just in time before I completely hashed up the first few in trial and error. Cheers
This is a great tutorial. Very informative and clearly explained! 10/10! I will try to make my husband a belt for Father's Day. Thank you very much!
Another great video! I have went from making just custom knives, to custom knives with sheaths....now it looks like I may have to add a belt! Thanks again Ian
Great video. I really liked the tip on polishing your bevelers. I would love to see a video covering your most used tools and how you maintain them.
Your eye for detail is very impressive.
I have always thought that you should use the middle hole in the belt but could never find any belts that would fit that way. This is a well thought out video and I appreciate it very much. It looks like I'll be modifying my current belts. I feel pretty silly not actually being able to put into words that you did so eloquently. Thank you
Best tutorial on TH-cam for this subject. Thank you.
I inherited my grandpa's leather working tools and I've been dabbling but I still don't know what a majority of the the tools in the box even do, but this video was great! I learned what two of the mystery tools in my box were! Now I know how to use the safety skiver and the edge beveler.
I love your work Ian. You always inspire me to improve my work and stay committed to producing the best quality within my capacity. Cheers friend. Thanks for sharing all of these wonderful videos. I hope it's worth it to you as well.
Fantastic tutorial. I'm trying to make pistol holsters for a costume, and the riveting is what I needed to know. Ain't got time to hand-stitch it.
I broke down and finally bought a strap cutter from Tandy and I love it, it's the only way to fly
I'm just getting ready to start my first belt and this is going to be a GREAT help! Thank you so much.
Great video. I particularly appreciated your discussion of sewing vs riveting.
Another Great Video, I don't do leather work but i love watching your craft. Keep the videos coming :)
Very good brought back many memories of my time working with leather....
many thanks, great for setting me off in the right direction, my first belt blank sat on the table now, I think I will have a go at stitching
Nicely done. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Ian, you make some of the best tutorials about leather making and techniques i have found, thanks for the effort, you've really taught me a lot! :-) Should you ever be in Århus, Denmark, give me a shout, I'd happily buy you a pint!
Looking online, you can get a 2lb jewelers anvil and it works great for this application. I use it for my jewelry. :) Great tutorial, thank you Ian.
I nearly cut that out when I played the video back but then I thought oh well it's bound to make someone laugh! :)
Thanks! I was able to make a nice belt by following this tutorial.
Thanks for making these tutorial videos. They are very informative.
Regarding the Buckle dimensions, it is always good to see if you can determine the manufacturers tolerances. I can imagine that they could have come in smaller too.
glad you have got some use out of it mate, hope you are well bud.
take care mate. lee.
yet again another well made video... Thank you for your time. I enjoyed watching this... I think iI
Very nice! You're a great instructor.
I really appreciate your fine craftsmanship. really great guy
Awesome tutorial as always. Your work is always dead on the money and great looking. I look forward to the next video :~)))
Thanks again Ian. Great vide as always. Will you please consider making another watch band video with a more practical band? As with this belt video, it would make a good starting point for beginners.
Thank you so much for these videos! Next time, could you add a list of the tools used for the project in the description?
Excellent tutorial one of the best on TH-cam. Thank you very much!
Nicely done, Ian...
Great video Ian.
Great video. Very well explained.
on the subject of the rivets or sewing, my belt has sewing all around the edge for aesthetics and it took only and hour and a half or so, so i imagine it would take around 5 to 10 minutes to sew it in. I originally intended to do both.
Your videos are always so informative. Thank you!
You can't edge-burnish chrome or latigo, only veg-tan. Normally you'd edge-burnish around the buckle area first, then glue and rivet, and finish off sanding and burnishing where the buckle tail meets the belt so it presents as a single edge.
No surprise about the buckle size. It came from Tandy. Nice Video.
WOW!!!! Many many thanks what a great video........I'm making a start real soon cheers Michael
Nice work Ian. Thank you for sharing again :)
A large diameter sharp drill bit will bevel the inside of your punched holes. The hammer in my experience can distort the clean edges skin side from the punch. Line up the bit and give it a twist. Let me know if it works for you. Cheers
Hello, I love your videos and the stuff you make. I recently took up leather craft about a year ago so I am still new to this. Do you know of a graceful way I could piece together leather straps to make a larger belt? The leather I have is not long enough for my father and I just want to still make it look nice. Any ideas would be great!
Great tutorial as always
Hello 👋 I’m quite curious if your ruler has a special name. I’ve search for a grooved ruler like yours as my fingers at times get in the way of my cuts and can not locate one.
Keep up the great work ty!
Now I need to get a half shoulder to make all these projects
Great videos and clear instructions. /subscribe
you would need a double shoulder to make any decent length belt imho
Very well shown and explained
Great job Ian.......Muchas gracias from Vzla.
Hey Ian,
How much more durable/ longlasting would you say a handmade belt like this would be as opposed to a typical mass/factory produced one?
Well, a lot longer than the usual belts you get. If you using some high end belts (good manufacturers, real leather, especially full-grain leather) then the difference is not that big in my opinion.
Have you ever made a belt sheath for a tomahawk/hatchet? I would be very interested to see your take on that.
Dude. Amazing. Great job!
There will be some listed on my Etsy shop when they're done yes
My uncle makes leather belts and he says that you can use any bit of leather as long as you treat it with warm water first then oil it before crafting.
Would you make a video on making leather dog collars?
Great video. Very nice informative. Thank you.
Great work true craftsman
The anvil is a jewelers anvil and can be bought through a jewelry supply company. :)
The gum you use is probably Carbomethylcellulose which is edible. You can get it on ebay in large quantities. It's used to gelatinize stuff.
Is this the same stuff for making icing?
Maybe, have no idea, it's a gelling agent.
LOL Peter and the chicken fighting.Classic
Great tutorial! When you are speaking of how to a person should measure their current belt for the size from the hole to the end of the buckle....what if the buckle they are using on their belt is longer or shorter. I had this happen to me and their buckle was much longer on their old belt than a traditional buckle I use. How do you tackle this? Thanks!
+Colette Rymer make no difference, you set it so the distance from the end of the buckle to the middle hole is the same (this is the circumference of the belt when it's closed) the actual buckle length has no bearing on that.
Can you tell me how I need to measure if the customer says they need a 32" belt. I have confused myself now. Sorry and thank you!
+Colette Rymer please refer to the diagram in the video, you should make sure they measure that way and you measure that way then everyone's on the same page. Neither of you should be using a trouser size.
Hello Ian. Where do you buy your belt buckles. Any tip? I'm looking for simple qualitative designs like this in your video. Thanks for your help!
Wow, well done!
I would love to have seen how you finished off the belt end where you pressed you logo. Was there just a length of flap with your logo? Does it remain firm and not become floppy with usage?
Hi, if you'd like to learn how to make the belt please check out my build along pattern #9 the details are in the description, that is an updated version of this video
Hi Ian, I got some of the leather finish you recommended from Goods Japan, and you were right. It is so much better then gum tragacanth. Any idea where one could find a leather plane?
Hi, did you use Tandy Rivets with your riveting press? I really like the smooth rivets on both sides like you have. All the rivets I seem to have found for presses have the star shaped "ruptured" style on the one side. I would very much like a press, because I suffer horribly from wonky rivets with the hammer!
were can i purchase the same buckle .................cheers great video
Hey Ian nice video man if I want to start to make my own belt where can I buy the accessories ect belt buckles ,punch , leather straps ect can you provide source ... Thanks man grate skills
Great video, I was looking to purchase a belt cutter like the on seen in your video but then noticed the Tandy Leather Tabletop Leather Lace Cutter, would this be better for cutting belts?
With an English Tan bridle [for horses], the edges are often a contrasting dark colour, I would like to replicate this on a belt but am frightened that I would end up with edge cote all over the belt. So I thought I might use an antiquing paste.
Is the Edgecote more user friendly than a standard dye.
OR does burnishing give a good effect, maybe with a tiny bit of boot polish
+Jo Allan dye the edge and burnish it
ty, your videos are all full of great info.
So. if you would need to make a leather strap/belt thats longer than the material you have access to.. is there a way of cutting it in a non-linear way and "stretch/form" it to a straight piece?
+Moronicsmurf No, you'd get an appropriately sized piece of leather or buy a pre cut strap.
Thumbed up for epic peter vs chicken fight shirt lol. One question I did have is how would you figure the actual length for someone else if they asked you to make one for them? I know you went over it briefly in the beginning, but I'm still kinda lost on that aspect.
Seiwa Tokonole burning gum is awesome
Thanks for the video. Where do you buy the buckles and other hardware from?
Ian, thanks for your videos. Is practicing on cheaper car gasket material in place of expensive real leather the same or advisable for beginners?
Thx Ian what size rivets you using on that belt?
OfficialHankIII I would like to know also
Another great video. Thank you. How did you finish off the portion your makers mark was on? The last I could see, that end was just loose. I think contact cement would work there, but you may have had a better idea. Thanks again for the video.
Allan Davis don't need to do anything with it once it's stitched or riveted over it's not going anywhere.
hello, very nice belt and very detailed tutorial, thanks! i also have two questions, what size of rivets did you use (post size) and did you also apply edge kote or dye to the sides before adding the gum trag? thanks Ian!
Great video mate. Do you have advice for cutting a clean strap end without a punch by any chance?
+Kelly Sunseri-Adams use a template and a sharp knife then sand it smooth
Thanks mate
If making a belt from veg tan leather that is not pre dyed, would you apply tan kote to the flesh side or the resolene after applying the fiebings oil dye?
I didn't catch if you said it in the video, but what kind of leather is that? Bridle? it looks very nice.
Cool video, thanks for sharing!
a great vid again Ian thnx.
Forget canvass for burnishing, get a pair of tights of your missus, works a treat :-)
Hey Ian, where did you pick up that handy skiver, the one that looks like a mini wood plane? Thanks.
It's called a razor plane, Clas Ohlson sell them
Thanks Ian.
Hi Ian, may I ask which part of leather is the best for making camera / bag straps? I would like to use a strong leather part that saves my stuff from gravity. Thank you!
Awsome vid! Just wondering, would you say it is ok to just use gum trag and not wet the edge and burnish. If I was just to use gum trag and no water would it end up ok?
is it possible to take 2 pieces 2mm soft tempered leather, oil tanned or pebbled, glue and stitch them together to form a belt? its just that most of the veg tuned leathers and bridle are too stiff for my taste. id like a softer belt
+nelson 4568 Neatsfoot Oil the veg tanned leather and then work it. The leather will soften nicely. Mink oil afterwards or use another conditioner/waterproofer. If that's still not soft enough, take your two pieces of leather and lace them together. Make the lacing a part of the design. I wouldn't stitch it, that probably wouldn't hold up. Look at an old belt - see how it bows in the back? That's a lot of stress. Leather lace will hold up a lot better.
hey ian, im working on some leather stuff. what can i do to make my belts as soft and pliable as possable. some hints as to the right die ro maybe im using the wrong leather. thanks
Hi Ian, any chance you have a direct link to the product from Goods Japan? There's so much on the site and I'm afraid I'm ordering the wrong item
Any idea how I could make both sides the same colour? Would I have to glue two straps together and sew?
+Kerry-Anne Young if you are talking about having top grain leather on both sides - yes, you can cement/glue two thinner straps together and stitch the edges.
hello may i have the link which i can buy the leather plane? thank you so much