Make Your Own Leather Belt
Making your own leather belt is a good first-time leather project.
If you grew up in the West, hopefully, you remember getting a leather belt when you were a kid. Maybe that belt had your name stamped on the back, or maybe it was decorated in some other way. However it was decorated, it was unique to you. It is a part of the culture out here, and one aspect that is still going strong. If you’ve never made any other leather projects, belts are a good one to start with.
Making your own leather belt is a good first-time project for a few reasons. First, belts don’t require that much leather, so that keeps the project affordable. Second, making belts also only requires a few basic tools. That is beneficial because if you are like any other beginner, you don’t have that many tools. Lastly, a leather belt is a good first-time project because it is something you can use all the time. If you’re a working man, you may just appreciate it keeping your drawers up. If you’ve got some artistic ability, you could end up with a work of art that people admire. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle? In the end, what you create lies in your own two hands.
If that sounds appealing to you, here is one way to go about making a leather belt.
Tools
Required
Leather
Belt Blank or
If you buy bulk leather, you’ll need to be able to cut straps.
Hole Punch
Rivets, Snaps, or Chicago Screws
Rivet or Snap Setter
Knife
Buckle
Optional for Edging
Edge Beveler
Stitch Groover
Chisel Set
Leather Slicker
Awl and Thread
Optional for Stamping
Stamps and Maul
Water
Optional for Dying
Dye
Cotton Swab
Antiquing
Process
Once you’ve got your tools gathered, you can get started. To watch the process, check out this video. For a brief explanation, continue scrolling.
Step 1: Making the Strap
To begin, start by getting your belt strap the desired width and length. If you bought belt blanks, you’re ready to go. If you bought strap bellies or some other kind of leather, you’ll have to cut strips. You can freehand this or make and use a jig. They make draw gauges, but you can easily make your own. If you look at the video, you can see my contraption.
Once it’s cut to length, you’ll then want to design your tip. In the video, you’ll notice that mine is pointed, but there are plenty of belts with rounded ends.
If you just want a piece of leather with a buckle, proceed to Step 6. If you want something with a little more finish, continue to Step 2.
Step 2: Edge Work
Once your belt is cut and shaped, you can get started on edge work. I usually do edge work in the same sequence. I start with my stitch groover, usually making two passes. Next, I take my edge beveler and knock the edges off the top and bottom all the way around. After that, I use my leather slicker to finish the edge. This, of course, is done after adding a little bit of water. Finally, if you plan on stitching the edge, and you have a chisel set, now is the time to punch your holes.
Step 3: Stamping and Carving
If you’d like to do some stamping or carving, now is the time to do so. The big thing when it comes to stamping or carving is to moisten the leather first. There are a variety of different ways to do this. I like to wet it down with a piece of cloth, getting the leather damp but not soggy. I also dampen the entire project even if I am just going to work in a small area. Once it is damp, I wait 5 minutes for the leather to begin to turn back to its original color. At that point, the leather is ready for stamping or carving. This step can take minutes or hours, depending on your goals.
Step 4: Dying and Finishing
Dying leather is really unnecessary, but may give the belt a more appealing look. However, the dye can be a cost you want to avoid. If that sounds like you, simply give it a quick coat of neatsfoot oil. This will help condition it, give it a darker color, and is cheaper and easier than dye.
If you have the material to dye the leather you might give that a try. It really is easy if you remember a few things. First, put a barrier down between your project and workspace. Parchment paper is a good option. Second, wear plastic gloves. This will keep your hands from dying. Lastly, apply the dye as evenly as possible making sure to hit the entire surface.
Once you’ve dyed your project, you may or may not want to antique it as well. Antiquing can give it an appealing finish, but again, is unnecessary.
Step 5: Stitching
After your belt is dyed and antiqued, you can then add the stitching if you’d like to.
Step 6: Attaching the Hardware
At this point, your belt is really coming together. Using the holes you made in Step 1, you should be able to attach your buckle using the screws, rivets, or snaps. Rivets are the most secure way to attach it, but they will permanently secure your buckle to that belt. Chicago screws are the next most secure option and not a bad choice. Lastly, you can add snaps. Snaps allow you to easily change the buckle but are the least secure way to fasten the buckle. However, there are many belts with snaps, and they might be a good choice for your project.
Once you’re to this point, it’s time to cut the slit for your buckle. Do this by measuring 3 inches off the tail end and making a mark in the center of the leather. From the center of this initial mark, make two additional marks 1 inch on either side. Using these marks as guides, cut a slit roughly .5 inches wide. This is where your buckle will attach. In the video, I actually ended up marking a tad farther back because of the metal belt loop that came with my buckle.
Next, mark the holes where your rivets, snaps, or screws will secure the buckle. To do this, measure from the end of the slit and make marks at 1 and 2 inches. Punch these holes with a punch roughly the same size as the post in your rivets, snaps, or screws. Once your holes are punched, fold the belt over like it will be when the buckle is in. Use the existing holes to mark the opposite side. With the location for the holes marked, simply punch them out. Finally, you can also punch the buckle holes. To do so, measure 3 inches off the tip and make a mark. From there, add marks every 1 inch to 1.5 inches until you have enough holes for your buckle to hook into. Use your hole punch on each mark and you’re done.
In the end, making a leather belt is a project that almost anyone can do. It’s also one that almost everyone will find value in. Making one is relatively cheap, easy, and creates a useful project. No wonder they are such a great beginner’s project.