First lined gun belt

[Bitterwheat]

Just finished my first lined gunbelt. And it just maybe my last. I have the sorest fingers.  It takes a long time to hand sew all the way around the belt. and punch all the holes.  I wonder if you could just glue it with out sewing it?  Any help there.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

When I have any amount of sewing to do, I put bandaids on my fingers where I pull the thread. That takes all the punishment out of it. I tried gloves, but did too much fumbling. I suppose you could cut all the fingers off a pair except the one(s) that pull the thread. In fact, I think I'll try that myself.  Other than that, you can go get a good sewing machine for a whole lot more money. You can just glue it, but I like the look of a good stitch line to give the finished appearance.

[Silver_Rings]

If you or youwife have a sewing machine already you may be able to sew the belt on it.  I've been using my wife old sewing machine, she got a new one, and it will sew through a fair amount of leather.  Even if you had to turn the wheel on the machine by hand it is still a lot faster and easier than by hand.

But don't let your wife catch you messing with her machine without asking first.  That can be a life threatining event. 

How bout some pictures of your belt?

SR

[Nolan Sackett]

Ya gotta build up those calluses! 

Actually for me (after 45+ years of handsewing) I've found "better" way - I sew plenty of lined and/or money belts as well as holsters, knifesheaths, etc every year and here's a picture of my current sewing set up :



not shown: is the left hand glove which is cut the same way and the rubber finger tips that I've been using for a couple of years now - the rubber finger tips can be purchased at most office supply stores and they last quite a while - I only wear them on my forefingers, but you can also wear a larger size on your thumb - they REALLY help grip the needle and since using them I seldom need to use a pair of pliers anymore. I also use a thimble on my middle finger.
When sewing glued liners/money belts I generally use either 3 or 4 Barbours Linen thread and #1 Osborne egg eye harness needles (both items can be purchased from Mid-Continent Leather Supply - and IMO it's best to match the needle to the thread) - 3 or 4 cord is plenty strong for sewing on liners since there is not a lot of stress and being thinner and with a smaller needle pulling through the holes is MUCH less work than heavier thread/larger needles....
Also on the right above the glove is a set of awls - the lower one is a standard diamond awl for punching the holes - the one above is a larger than normal egg eye harness needle made into an awl, which I use for opening up a tight hole when needed - such as when back stitching........


hope this helps............