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KiltmanFl
16
Jun 15, 2018
Or you can go to your local hobby shop/ leather store and make the same thing for ~20.00.
KiltmanFlDoubtful even with cheap/free leather. Although I do suggest that you and anyone interested should try it. Making leather goods for yourself is super fun and satisfying!
The leather we use on this is a special veg tan designed specifically for belts by Horween.
KiltmanFl
16
Jun 15, 2018
KiltmanFlVery awesome. I hope you enjoy leather crafting as much as I do.
It looks like Tandy has a buckle you can use. Looks like it starts around $7.50 if you don't have their "Elite Club Price membership".
Here's the items you should buy Without membership: Belt strap 1 1/2" - $25 Belt Buckle 1 1/2" - $7.50 Bevel tool - ? Edge finish tool - slicker Edge finish tool - canvas (A lot of the time I just prefer to use the canvas) Edge finish material - ? Sewing machine - ? or Handsewing tools - ?
KiltmanFlYou also have to account for time. How much is your time worth? If it takes you four hours to make a belt (considering you've probably never done it before), how does that compare? If you value your time at $10/hour, that's $40 worth of time invested. If you're really enjoying yourself and having fun, then you might not mind. If it's not really your thing, however, you might prefer to just buy a finished belt with no time and effort required.
Yes, from a material costs standpoint, it's almost always cheaper to buy the raw materials and make something, versus buy it completed. You're not just paying for materials, though. You're paying for a completed product and a level of quality that might not be matched on your first try.
ashlandleatherGreat responses here, BTW. It was both classy and helpful. I love playing around with leatherworking, it's fast becoming a hobby for me. That said, I have a great appreciation for high quality leather products that I either don't have the time, interest, or expertise to make. I also have a great appreciation for good customer interaction, and you're handling it quite well.
ChristopherCashellVery cool. Thanks for that.
I suggest to everyone that I speak with to start where I started: Get "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" by Stohlman and some simple tools like thread, hand sewing needles, and an awl. You can start with just that and make little cases for random things around the house.