Gunbelt

[AtlLaw]

As I said in my holster thread, I have a gunbelt that I've been using for my BP revolvers.  It's a good 2 inch plain belt.
 
I was so happy with the holster I decided to try to match the belt to it.
 
So I've been working on it for a while now.  After stripping off the top finish and lightening the existing (russet) color as much as possible, I cut a stitching line for the liner and stamped the belt with the same border I used on the holster.
 
Last night I drilled all the stitching holes.  Tonight I'll redye the whole belt.
 
Then maybe 2 or 3 evenings of gluing and stitching and finishing and I should be done.
 
If it turns out I'll post pics!      

[AtlLaw]

It took me a day more then expected to get to dyeing the belt, but it got done.  I sprayed on a lite coat hoping to more tint the leather then dye it.  I think I accomplished that task as well can be expected but I really won't know how close I got to matching the holster 'till the resoline goes on!
 
I also got the lining glued in.  Unfortunately I didn't curl the belt enough as I was pressing down the liner.     So the belt is almost flat when laid out instead of form fitted.  No problem really, and I learned!   
 
I started sewing the liner in after punching the stitching holes through it.  Let me tell you, you haven't learned the meaning of the term "time consuming" until you saddle stitch a lining into a 40 + inch belt, with holes spaced about an eighth of an inch apart!     I finally got half of it done yesterday.     As a famous person - Dr. Franinfurter - once said:  "It's not easy having a good time."   

[AtlLaw]

I finally got the stitching done!     It literally took hours to do!  But, it was good exercise for my fingers...    I'll appreciate that as soon as the thread cuts heal... 
 
Anyway, last night I did a bit of sanding on the liner/belt line and dyed the edge.  Tonight I'll finish the edge then tomorrow put the resoline to it!  I think it's looking pretty good so far!   

[AtlLaw]

Okay, here's the gun belt with the holster on it.  The color match came out pretty good and in general I'm happy enough with it to make it my main BP revolver gun belt.     Now all I have to do is make a matching cartridge box, knife and sheath (got the blade on the way), and a couple of Slim Jim holsters!   
 
OH!  I also got a "Maker's" stamp for a little personalised touch!   

[Graybeard]

Purdy nice work Richard. Yew might be gud fer sumpin after all. 

[Doug B.]

That is puuuurdy.

Nice work!

[spruce]

Nice looking rig.
 
Making your own is a lot more satisfying than buying over the counter, but just thinking about hand stitching that belt makes buying a factory-made lined belt seem like a pretty reasonable idea!  Got to tip my hat to your patience and perseverance!

[Dee]

That's a really good lookin rig Richard.

[williamlayton]

You did good.
Blessings

[jcn59]

You did reeeely good, Richard.   How did you make the leather shine so much?  Did you glue the liner leather in?  Thanks!

[AtlLaw]

Thanks guys! I think I done good for an old white boy...   
 
jcn59 I used Resoline for the top finish and it is pretty high gloss.  I like it real well, but on my next project I think I'll try a semigloss or satin top finish.   
 
The liner is glued then stitched in.  You can see some discoloration on the liner.  That's where to much glue was used.     It got thick and kinda globbed on in spots and I couldn't spread it out.  Also the liner was very thin, about 2 oz.  But I learned... and got some glue thinner!   
 
I was sitting in the man cave thinking about knives I've got in the planning/making stage which got me to thinking about sheath design which got me to thinking about belts which made me think of this 2" Italian military belt I have that I used to carry my Dragoon last year which reminded me that it wasn't really thick enough to be satisfactory since the revolver is really heavy.  About 6 oz. ... the leather, not the revolver.
 
Anyway, I have been kinda ignoring the belt since I don't like the dark brown color and after my last attempt at lightening already dyed leather I wouldn't waste the time lining it.  You got to understand, I feel about my gear like I used to feel about wimmins when I was a young buck, I won't waste my time less they Purdy!     Or maybe if they interesting...    Or if I been drinkin... 
 
Then it struck me!  Use the belt as the liner!     So that's my next project.  I cut out a strip of 5/6 oz. leather last night and I'll cement them together tonight.  Pre-curled of course.   
 
So now I have two BP revolver rigs in the making; one for 2 .36 caliber revolvers and one for 2 .44 caliber revolvers.   
 
'course that means I also have to make 4 holsters, 2 cartridge boxes and 2 knives with sheaths...    And Kathie already says I spend to much time in the man cave...    You'd think she would be happy I wasn't out drinkin likker and chasing young wimmins 'till all hours of the mornin!
 
I tell ya, wife mates are never satisfied!     I say I want to go ride my murder-sickle and she says " I need you to..."  I say I want to go to the range and she says "Have you done ... yet?"  I tell ya boys, it's enough to drive a man to drink!  That's why I hide out in the man cave in the first place.  Oh sure, I do other things there like work on leath...    Wait...    What were we talking about?   
 

[jcn59]

What's Resoline?  Do they have it at the car parts store, like Valvoline?  I want some.
 
Ya know those times when you are sitting around thinking about how your next project is going together, and your woman looks at you like you are mentally ill?   Then she says "What's on your mind?" and then you find out there is no right answer.   I've got the perfect response.   I look at her and say "I was just thinking about how beautiful you are".  After a couple replies like that, they don't ever ask again.  I know, it goes against logic, but it works.

[AtlLaw]

What's Resoline?

It's a top finish I learned about from a professional's tutorial.  I got it here:
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Liquids-N/2270-127.aspx
 

"I was just thinking about how beautiful you are".

What a great response!      See now... I would have never thought of that.      You don't mind if I use it do you?   

[SHOOTALL]

Nice work , so when are you going to leather full time ?

[AtlLaw]

when are you going to leather full time ?

HEY!!  Leave my personal life outa this!!   
 
Oh!  You mean the artsy craftsy stuff.     Ya know, it's funny...    When Kathie got sick and I wanted to be close at hand in case she needed anything.  Consequently I found myself always at home with excess time.  I just can't sit and watch TV, I always have to be doing at least 2 things at once.  So circumstance got me fooling around putting knives together and the next logical step was sheaths.
 
'sides it's nice to work with my hands after straining my brain all day.   
 
Ya know, I can point out every flaw in anything I make.  And there are many!  I appreciate y'all being kind with your complements, but I'm still at the "beef hide butcher" stage!    
 
If you want to see good work, just look at what some of these guys that do this for a living, or for fun, do.  You don't even have to look any further then this forum to find them!  Now there is some real talent!   

[SHOOTALL]

Flaw ? Oh you mean the human touch 
I didn't mean your after hrs play time , sorry for poor choice of words