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Picture of first belt buckle from scratch.
- Thread starter Raynor
- Start date
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CrackStock
69 Cal.
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It looks great, but I would make a second pin for a buckle that wide.
CS
CS
I have made a coupla buckles, so I know the mistakes you made, from experince.
I would suggest reducing the mass all around the buckle. Not just the width and height of the buckle, but the width of the center stud. You don't need that much mass for strength, and all that extra mass will do is add unnecessary weight to a belt that is already loaded down with other equipment.
The excess height of the buckle will also gouge you in the abdomen every time you bend over, and you will bend a lot when working around the fire.
I would also place the buckle, back down, between a coupla blocks of wood and hammer on either end of the center stud to force it slightly behind the "frame" of the buckle. This will keep the mass of leather from bunching up and making it hard to buckle the belt.
It's a good idea to heat the brass to a dark blue color, where you plan to bend it, then quench in cool water to soften the brass, before trying to bend it.
What thickness of brass did you use to make the buckle?
J.D.
I would suggest reducing the mass all around the buckle. Not just the width and height of the buckle, but the width of the center stud. You don't need that much mass for strength, and all that extra mass will do is add unnecessary weight to a belt that is already loaded down with other equipment.
The excess height of the buckle will also gouge you in the abdomen every time you bend over, and you will bend a lot when working around the fire.
I would also place the buckle, back down, between a coupla blocks of wood and hammer on either end of the center stud to force it slightly behind the "frame" of the buckle. This will keep the mass of leather from bunching up and making it hard to buckle the belt.
It's a good idea to heat the brass to a dark blue color, where you plan to bend it, then quench in cool water to soften the brass, before trying to bend it.
What thickness of brass did you use to make the buckle?
J.D.
I used 1/4" flat stock, next time I'll try 1/8" to lighten it up even more. Thinking of using grain on moose leather instead of the stiff belt strap leather. I'm trying to make every part of my outfit from head to toe, kind of a fun little project. 
Been learning from my mistakes as I go.
Been learning from my mistakes as I go.
Making as much of your outfit as possible is a good thing. Many don't know how, or won't learn how to make their gear.
My wife and I have made nearly every part of clothing and equipment I have, including belts, bags, mocs, leggins, waistcoats, shirts, and britches. About the only thing I have bought, other than my guns, was stockings, a good hat, blankets and a greatcoat.
Most of my camp gear, other than the tent and camp chairs were all made at home too.
I would suggest getting a coupla books on clothing and equipment of the period you are interested in.
Most of those books are pretty inexpensive, and will save you lots of time and expense from having to start over to correct your mistakes.
Brass buckles, for example were cast, and not cut and filed from a solid bar. They were also much lighter in weight and mass than the one you made.
You did a very nice job, don't get me wrong, but that buckle will weigh you down after a while.
I have made a coupla brass buckles, btw, so I know from where I speak. I did a little research before starting the buckles, and still made some mistakes.
You might search some of the suttlers pages on the web for some good photos of period buckles.
Gedney Godwin sells some nice stuff, as does Blue Heron Mercantile, Townsend, and Track
[url] http://gggodwin.com/buckles2.htm[/url]
[url] http://www.frontierfolk.net/blueheronmercantile/[/url]
[url] http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cPath=18&osCsid=35034eacf4047ab8ef809cb168f0134f[/url]
[url] http://www.trackofthewolf.com/[/url]
They also sell most of the books and clothing patterns you might be interested in.
Buy the best when it comes to clothing patterns. The better patterns might be more expensive, but they will save you a bundle in the long run.
J.D.
My wife and I have made nearly every part of clothing and equipment I have, including belts, bags, mocs, leggins, waistcoats, shirts, and britches. About the only thing I have bought, other than my guns, was stockings, a good hat, blankets and a greatcoat.
Most of my camp gear, other than the tent and camp chairs were all made at home too.
I would suggest getting a coupla books on clothing and equipment of the period you are interested in.
Most of those books are pretty inexpensive, and will save you lots of time and expense from having to start over to correct your mistakes.
Brass buckles, for example were cast, and not cut and filed from a solid bar. They were also much lighter in weight and mass than the one you made.
You did a very nice job, don't get me wrong, but that buckle will weigh you down after a while.
I have made a coupla brass buckles, btw, so I know from where I speak. I did a little research before starting the buckles, and still made some mistakes.
You might search some of the suttlers pages on the web for some good photos of period buckles.
Gedney Godwin sells some nice stuff, as does Blue Heron Mercantile, Townsend, and Track
[url] http://gggodwin.com/buckles2.htm[/url]
[url] http://www.frontierfolk.net/blueheronmercantile/[/url]
[url] http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cPath=18&osCsid=35034eacf4047ab8ef809cb168f0134f[/url]
[url] http://www.trackofthewolf.com/[/url]
They also sell most of the books and clothing patterns you might be interested in.
Buy the best when it comes to clothing patterns. The better patterns might be more expensive, but they will save you a bundle in the long run.
J.D.
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry that it took so long to reply, I kinda lost track of this thread.
Yes, the tongues were commonly made of iron.
Britches can be hard to make right. I am assuming you are making knee britches, but any britches are hard to get right. Colonial knee britches were worn lower, on the hips than we make 'em today. Modern brithces seem to be made to wear too high, and want to slide down as we walk. I often feel like I'm losing mine, and made a coupla new pair to ride lower on the hips.
J.D.
Yes, the tongues were commonly made of iron.
Britches can be hard to make right. I am assuming you are making knee britches, but any britches are hard to get right. Colonial knee britches were worn lower, on the hips than we make 'em today. Modern brithces seem to be made to wear too high, and want to slide down as we walk. I often feel like I'm losing mine, and made a coupla new pair to ride lower on the hips.
J.D.
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