Here is part 2 of 2 on making a round leather laminated gun belt using the round laminating jig...
Create the straight edge using an aluminum rule and a 60mm rotary cutter. I'm liking using the rotary cutter these days for the initial cut. The following cuts are all made with the strap cutter set to, in this case, 1.5".
Apply two coats of contact cement and let dry for 5-10 minutes until tacky (not wet).
I center drilled the jig and used a through bolt to secure it to a board that can be fastened to a bench to create a stable lazy suzan. I then bored some holes with a forstner bit deep enough to use a clamp to hold the ends of the leather together as the plies are pressed together while rotating the jig.
The ledge on the bottom of the jig indexes one edge of the leather straps. Once dry, the belt will be run through the strap cutter again to flush the top edge prior to belt sanding.
The belt will be left in the clamps for at least a couple of hours prior to trimming.
Belt sand edges flush, block sand with 150, hand sand with 320.
Spit both ends of belt to reduce thickness at buckle closure.
Punch buckle end of belt.
Measure belt to length and punch. This is an English Taper punch.
Bevel round the outside edges; front and back. This is a No. 3 round bevel.
Stitch groove the belt; front only. This is a 3/16" set back.
Bevel and groove the keeper; front only. This is an 1/8" set back
Edge dye the belt and keeper prior to burnishing. Some burnishing waxes (beeswax) don't allow proper stain penetration. Allow to dry thoroughly.
More to follow...
Hope this helps,
Mike
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