Introduction: Adding a Buckle and Conchos to a Leather Belt Blank

By Weaver Leather Supply
About: With over 40 years in the supply business, Weaver Leather has developed a reputation for bringing you top quality leather, hand tools, hardware, machines and more.

Project Summary:
A basic guide to making a beautiful, casual belt with a leather belt blank, buckle and screw back conchos. We’ll also use basic leathercraft tools including a leather hole punch tool, scratch awl and English point strap end punch.

Approximate Time to Complete: 1 hour

What You Need:

· Water Buffalo Belt Blank, 1 ½" (12740-4471-00)

· Water Buffalo Belt Loop, 1 ½" (12840-24-15)

· #Z1572 Belt Buckle, Antique Silver, 1-1/2" (01572-AS-11/2)

· #D5038 Chicago Screws, Black, Plain, 1/4" (D5038-P-BK-1/4)

· #1847 Feather Concho with Post, Antique Nickel, 1-1/4" (01847-AN-11/4)

· Tooling Slab (65800-)

· Poly Cutting Board (65-2916)

· Master Tools English Point Strap End Punch, 1½" (00078-11/2)

· Economy Punch (CSO223) or another revolving punch

· Steel Square (65-3038)

· Utility Knife (65-2860)

· Polyhead Mallet, 9 oz. (65-2521-9)

· Measuring Tape

· #4 Heavy-Duty Scratch Awl, 3-1/2" (CS04-2)

Step 1: Add Belt Loop

Slide the Belt Loop onto the buckle end of your Belt Blank.

Step 2: Add Buckle

Push the Buckle tongue through the oblong-punched hole.

Step 3: Pull Belt Blank Through Buckle

Slide the Belt Blank end down through the Buckle.

Step 4: Fold Belt End

Fold the Belt Blank end underneath itself so that the two sets of Chicago screw holes line up.

Step 5: Hang Buckle Off Work Surface

While holding the bend back in place, flip your Belt Blank over and let the Buckle hang off the edge of your Tooling Slab or workbench.

Step 6: Add First Chicago Screw

Place one Chicago Screw female end underneath the first set of holes (nearest your buckle). Twist in the male end of the Chicago Screw.

Step 7: Add Second Chicago Screw

Slide the Belt Loop underneath your Belt Blank’s flap, and then secure the second Chicago Screw. The Belt Loop should rest between the two Chicago Screws.

Step 8: Measure Your Waist

Now that your Buckle is secured to your Belt Blank, the next step will be to add size holes. Begin by measuring your waist in inches if you don’t already know your size.

Step 9: Lay Measuring Tape Above Belt

Lay your belt horizontally on your workbench. Lay your Measuring Tape vertically above your belt, with 0" starting at the bend back of your belt.

Step 10: Mark First Size Hole

Using an Awl, make a size-hole mark on your belt at the length of your waist size.

Step 11: Mark Remaining Size Holes

Beginning at the mark you made on your belt at your waist size, move to the right of your measurement (toward your buckle) 1.25" and make another size-hole mark. Return to your original size-hole mark, move 1.25" to the left and make another size-hole mark. Move another 1.25 inches to the left and make an additional size-hole mark. Do this again and make one last size-hole mark. You should have 5 size-hole marks spaced 1.25" from each other.

Step 12: Punch Size Holes

Set your Economy Punch to the diameter you’d like for your size holes, and punch your five size-hole marks.

Step 13: Measure From Chicago Screw to First Size Hole

It’s now to time to begin preparing the belt for the 4 Conchos. Lay your Measuring Tape vertically above your belt, with 0" starting at the Chicago Screw furthest away from the buckle. Measure the length from this point to your first size hole.

Step 14: Get Concho Hole Measurements

Take this length and divide it by 5. Your answer is the number of inches apart your concho holes will be. (For example, the length to Chuck’s first size hole is approximately 30 inches. Divide that by 5 to get 6. Each of his concho holes will be 6 inches apart. For him, that means he will have a concho hole at 6", 12", 18" and 24".)

Step 15: Mark Concho Holes

Using your specific inch increments, use an Awl to mark where your concho holes need to be punched.

Step 16: Punch Concho Holes

Using the Economy Punch, punch the 4 holes you have just marked.

Step 17: Add Conchos

Screw the Conchos in the 4 holes you have just made. *Tip: To ensure the Conchos don’t work themselves out of the belt over time, add a little glue to the female end before twisting in the male end of the concho.

Step 18: Mark Belt Tip

The last part of this tutorial is punching the belt tip. Move 3" to the left of your last size hole, and make a vertical line mark on your leather.

Step 19: Punch Belt Tip

Place the tip of your English Point Strap End Punch on the vertical line mark. The tip should face away from your size holes. To punch your belt tip, hit the end of your English Point Strap End Punch with your Polyhead Mallet.

Step 20: Your Belt Is Now Complete