Kilt belt blanks

**frank_a** · 25th August 14, 05:52 PM

Cut out 3 or 4 today. Got family coming for the highland games that need belts. Will wet and press buckle ends in the a.m. before work.

Frank

kiltbelts.jpg

**frank_a** · 26th August 14, 05:50 AM

Next is making the tight fold for the buckle. I make the intial fold by hand, wet the area around the fold well, and put it into into my shop vice, modified with plywood clamps.

leatherclamp.jpg

**tpa** · 26th August 14, 06:45 AM

How do you finish off the edges and then dye them?

**frank_a** · 26th August 14, 06:52 AM

I skive both edges (front and back), then clean the edge up with a wheel I got someplace, and finally dye them with general leather dye. I have made a number of kilt belts over the years, as well as sporran belts and regular trouser belts, and most recently a "fashion" belt for the wee lass.

The problem I have in general is finding single or double prong buckles in 3" width!

Cheers!

Frank

**tpa** · 26th August 14, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by frank_a

I skive both edges (front and back), then clean the edge up with a wheel I got someplace, and finally dye them with general leather dye. I have made a number of kilt belts over the years, as well as sporran belts and regular trouser belts, and most recently a "fashion" belt for the wee lass.

The problem I have in general is finding single or double prong buckles in 3" width!

Cheers!

Frank

Thank you. Sorry can't help with the buckles, best bet is probably a saddler.

**scotchmaster** · 26th August 14, 09:56 AM

You can often find buckles on ebay...

Originally Posted by tpa

Thank you. Sorry can't help with the buckles, best bet is probably a saddler.

**frank_a** · 27th August 14, 07:37 AM

Progress before work this a.m.(none of the screws are tight here). Still need to shorten the strap a bit, skive the edges and fit the belt to my 37 year old son, finish the tag end and dye. That will happen tonight. I have another that I have made the tight fold for the buckle that I will work on tonight as well. This next one will get a round buckle, then I'm out of buckles. I should have bought a bunch years ago before they were discontinued. Guess I'll need to make narrower kilt belts...

nicefold.jpg top.jpg bottom.jpg

**ratspike** · 27th August 14, 07:41 AM

Nice work, and I LOVE that buckle. There's something about the simplicity of making a belt that I really enjoy.

**frank_a** · 27th August 14, 07:49 AM

Thanks Bob. More to come.

Frank

**GrainReaper** · 27th August 14, 12:23 PM

Looking good! You burnish the edges on a wheel? I'm looking to possibly crafting some kilt straps if I can get them to look good and is comparable to buying em price-wise