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Below
you will find tips on how to tool, dye, and finish your own handmade leather
belts. These are the same methods used to make the handmade
leather belts you can find for sale at our web site. Our techniques
are basically the same as those used by my parents in the 1970s. The lesson
begins after the belt strip has been cut
and the edges have been finished. |
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Our
finished belt shown in the belt making process below will be 1.5"
wide with a handtooled geometric pattern. After the belt strip is cut
and sized, we begin by wetting the leather with a sponge. The water softens
the leather, and makes the leather belt tooling process easier. Because
the design runs down the center of the belt, we draw a faint guideline
down the belt center. Next the tooling begins... |
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Once
the belt is tooled, we condition the leather to prepare it for the leather
dye. We "block dye" the leather using penetrating oil based
dyes. To block dye, wrap a few layers of soft cloth around a block of
wood. This method works the dye into the leather grain, but prevents the
dye from seeping into the tooled impression... |
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The
picture to the left shows block dyed leather belts. The dye color is Fiebing's
Mahogany oil based leather dye. However, the color transition is not yet
complete. Next, we apply a thing coat of Fiebing's Leather Balm with Atom
Wax. The leather balm helps to seal the leather grain, but leaves the
tooled impression vulnerable to the Antique Leather Stain that will be
applied in the next step... |
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Next
we apply Fiebing's Antique Leather Stain. For this belt, we use black,
but the stain is available in many colors. We use a wool dauber to apply
the stain. After the stain is set, we use a damp sponge to wipe the excess
off the surface of the leather belt. Finally, a dry, soft cloth is used
to buff the belt and to ensure that the finish is spread evenly. For those
of you who do not already know, the antique stain is messy. If you want
to keep the back of the belt "clean", keep a clean rag on hand
an wipe up any excess stain immediately. |
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After
applying the antique leather stain, we apply a second coat of leather balm
and buff the finish to a brilliant shine. Next, the belt ends are burnished
and dyed to match the edges. Then, the belt is punched so that the buckle
can be attached and secured. Our leather belts fold and snap where the buckle
attaches. The picture at left shows how we skive (thin) the belt where the
buckle attaches so that it is not bulky at the point where the leather is
doubled over. We use a bench top skiver, but an inexpensive handtool is
available for this job. Check our links to Leather
Supples |
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Well
the finished product not only looks good, but will perform well for many
years to come. If you would like to buy our finished leather goods, visit
www.oldschoolleather.com
If you wish to do it yourself, visit our sources
for leather tools, hardware, and other supplies. |
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