Belt buckle prototype

[WayneG]

Been meaning to do some wood belt buckles. This is the first one, was thinking of scrolling some design in the corners but wanted first to see one without scrolling as the assembly on the back prohibits scrolling in the centre/bulk of the buckle.

This is bullet wood, maple, oak, acacia and a sliver of ash.

This is likely a bit too thick but will wear it tomorrow and see

Edited September 22, 2017 by WayneG

[hawkeye10]

Wayne what a great idea. I would have never thought of doing that. Please post a picture of the back side.

[WayneMahler]

Interesting idea. Never thought about it . Keep us posted as to the outcome please.

[WayneG]

ha ha, realize I posted this in the wrong thread. feel free to move it Mods....

thanks fella's its been on my to do list for months....its a great way to use up scraps...

Will post a pic of the back when my phone charges up...

[WayneG]

Here are pics of the buckle assembly. I got mine from a local leather supply store. Can get better quality and lower prices with bulk orders on line but I will do a few of these first....I guess i may try need take a selfie of my mid section tomorrow...

[lawson56]

Now that is Pretty Darn Cool.Awesome job.

[jbrowning]

That is such a cool idea. Let us know how it feels wearing it. It looks like you rounded over the edges a little bit?

Jim

[hawkeye10]

11 hours ago, WayneG said:

Here are pics of the buckle assembly. I got mine from a local leather supply store. Can get better quality and lower prices with bulk orders on line but I will do a few of these first....I guess i may try need take a selfie of my mid section tomorrow...

Thanks Wayne for the picture. Those would make some great Christmas presents.

[WayneG]

1 hour ago, jbrowning said:

That is such a cool idea. Let us know how it feels wearing it. It looks like you rounded over the edges a little bit?

Jim

Ya slightly rounded edges. It actually feels good wearing it. I think I will make the next one a bit thinner and like a quarter inch shorter. Much lighter than the buckle I had with this belt originally. That was a stainless steel Nixon buckle.

[Chunkthekid]

Really cool idea!

[jerry1939]

Here they show a price each.  Haven't looked in a store for a belt that would snap onto it.   My guess is that would be a problem.  Would be neat to have your name on one & a seasonal theme on others.

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/oval-buckle-blank

jerry

Edited September 22, 2017 by jerry1939
Added a sentance.

[Scrappile]

18 minutes ago, jerry1939 said:

Here they show a price each.  Haven't looked in a store for a belt that would snap onto it.   My guess is that would be a problem.  Would be neat to have your name on one & a seasonal theme on others.

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/oval-buckle-blank

jerry

If you click on the size, select the size you want, a window tell you the price.

[jerry1939]

Belt with removable buckle.  They show black & brown in different lengths.  $12.95 (plus shipping??)

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CTM-174-Size-38-Mens-Leather-1-3-8-Inch-Removable-Buckle-Bridle-Belt-Black/47729322

 

[jerry1939]

[WayneG]

Here is another one that I have just done, bullet wood, merbau, acacia, Japanese cherry, oak and Honduran mahogany crossing all of them

[oldhudson]

Nice combination of woods. I suggest you consider shaping the buckles to better fit the human form. Here's one I made years ago. Note the curvature and soft edges. I tried a couple carving an initial into the wood, but my skills never met what was in my mind.

[WayneG]

1 hour ago, oldhudson said:

Nice combination of woods. I suggest you consider shaping the buckles to better fit the human form. Here's one I made years ago. Note the curvature and soft edges. I tried a couple carving an initial into the wood, but my skills never met what was in my mind.

ya I was thinking of doing that bevelling but you know when I wore the original yesterday I did not feel that was needed if I shortened the buckle by a quarter inch or so...Will see 

[Denny Knappen]

What a neat idea, Wayne.  A great way to use scraps.

[JOE_M]

It's a nice idea but if they're for sale you might consider a different style screw - something that sits flush like a panhead or round. Or maybe put a chamfer around the edge of the hole in the metal belt part, if it's thick enough, so that the taper-head sits flush.

[jerry1939]

Because of Religious reasons (I'm a Devout Cheapskate), I went to WalMart.com and searched "men's leather belts".  They have what's called "automatic" & "ratchet" buckles.  Will look what is in the store or possibly order one.  Sand the buckle rough and apply wood directly to the buckle with construction adhesive (I like Liquid Nails).

Thinking of trying 2 layers of plywood with a scrolled name & a backer.  Would need to sand a curve in the backer to match the buckle.

I would respectively request that you not inquire how many times I've had a bright idea that failed.

jerry

 

[WayneG]

Cut the length down a bit, thinned out out some and applied the buckle with CA glue, purple insra cure. Send to be holding well. Will see how it does after a week.

Cut some other buckles waiting for curing sucks....

[zimmerstutzen]

Totally forgot about belt buckles.  Saw one years ago that had been scrolled and carved out of s flat piece of fallow deer antler.  till it was polished and finished, it looked like ivory. 

 

Good job!

 

Edited September 23, 2017 by zimmerstutzen

[WayneG]

Made a few more, one rounded somewhat. These are fun!

[hawkeye10]

On 9/23/2017 at 4:38 PM, jerry1939 said:

Because of Religious reasons (I'm a Devout Cheapskate), I went to WalMart.com and searched "men's leather belts".  They have what's called "automatic" & "ratchet" buckles.  Will look what is in the store or possibly order one.  Sand the buckle rough and apply wood directly to the buckle with construction adhesive (I like Liquid Nails).

Thinking of trying 2 layers of plywood with a scrolled name & a backer.  Would need to sand a curve in the backer to match the buckle.

I would respectively request that you not inquire how many times I've had a bright idea that failed.

jerry

 

Because of Religious reasons (I'm a Devout Cheapskate)   Jerry that is funny. I got a good laugh out of it.

[jerry1939]

I once knew a guy that would say, "It's a good thing we DON'T all think alike, otherwise every guy would be chasing after the same woman".  I don't want anything as large as the original posting.

Thanks to Wayne's idea, I went to Wally World and bought a narrow, ratchet type belt. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mens-Ratchet-Color-Belt-Automatic-Buckle-Genuine-Leather-belt/245605073  WalMart # 1472.  Here is my revised plan.  Today I took a 1/8" BB ply and sandwiched it between 2 sacrifice boards.  Cut the piece shown, 1/16" higher than the belt buckle and oversize length.  Cut the vertical lines between each letter.  Quit for the day because of Iowa heat.

When I laid 2 pieces on the buckle, there was less of a gap than I expected.  Tomorrow I will bevel 1 side of 1 piece, put a wax paper on the buckle, clamp and glue 2 pieces together.  When that cures, repeat the process.  That will take a long time.  When the curved wood is done, sand both glue joints, inside & outside.  It may very well end up in the trash at this point.  If not, cut the width as needed.  Next, cut narrow pieces for the 4 sides (Think ""picture frame").  Let it extend above the letters slightly (The way the fronts of kitchen cabinets are built).  There will be no backer, because the cuts for the letters are so narrow.  Will scuff up the buckle with a file and possibly use epoxy to attach it.

IF I succeed, there won't be a status report for a long time.  If I fail and give up along the, will let you know.