Antique Key Buckle and Hand-dyed Leather Belt

Materials and Tools:

latigo leather
steel washer
aqua spray enamel
chemical patina
propane forge
treadle hammer
triangular shaped stamp
arbor press
hand hammer
anvil
tig (tungsten inert gas) welder
beveller
hand-rotating leather punch
skiver
utility knife
leather stripper
rags
foam brushes
leather conditioner
color dye
acrylic sealer
sponge brush
snaps and snap setting tools (sold together)
respirator
welding safety equipment
latex gloves
container with water
swage block
bench wire brush
14-gauge steel 1/8" steel rod
tongs
metal file
old key
drill press
rivet

Figure A

Steps (Leather Belt):

1. Lay out leather hide. Dip a soft rag into leather conditioner and rub onto the leather until the area is completely covered. This will soften the leather and prepare it for the dye process.

2. Wearing latex or rubber gloves dye the leather with color dye and a soft rag. Apply dye sparingly to the hide using even strokes (figure A). Wear a respirator or work in a well-ventilated area.

3. Let dry, then coat with an acrylic sealant and a soft rag.

Figure B

4. Once dry, cut a 1-1/2 inch belt strip using a leather stripper (figure B).

5. Cut the leather to desired belt length with a utility knife.

Figure C

6. Bevel all four edges of the leather with beveller (figure C).

7. Using the treadle hammer, stamp cut the end of the belt with a triangular shaped stamp.

8. Dye the edges of leather with a foam brush and dye.

Figure D

9. Skive the snap end of the belt with a leather skiver. The skiver thins the leather in that area (figure D).

Figure E

10. Using a foam brush, wet the same end of the leather with water, let it absorb, then fold the leather and hammer it to crease (figure E).

Figure F

11. Punch holes for snaps with a hand rotating leather punch about 1-inch apart and 1/4 inch from the edge (figure F).

Figure G

12. Place snaps in the holes and set with appropriate snap tools (figure G).

Figure H

13. Mark and punch holes at the other end of the belt—6 to 9 holes evenly spaced, approximately 1/8 inch in diameter and about an inch apart (figure H).