If you are making a belt from scratch, the holes are typically spaced " (1.25 cm) apart for belts under " (1 cm) wide, and up to 1" (2.85 cm) apart for belts above 1" (2.5 cm) wide. That is what this article is for; you can punch a new hole in your belt to make it fit your waist better. Also, dont get overzealous with your hammering; otherwise, it might be challenging taking the nail out again. Will keep it for future reference. An awl is a sharp-edged tool that can be found by the majority of the toolboxes. The end won't end up quite as nice as it originally was, but it sure beats having to awkwardly tuck it in or having it wrap around your back. First, you will need to find the appropriately sized punch tube. A rotary punch is the most straightforward tool to use when you want to create a hole in your leather belt. So, here we have three very easy methods to punch a hole in a leather belt. I'm going to look for this at michaels. Begin drilling a hole until you feel the drill bit has completely penetrated the leather. ). I'm heading to Michael's tomorrow. Then, take a pen or an awl to mark exactly where on the belt you plan to drill the hole. It is important to round out the interior edges of the hole you make so that you are left with a circle large enough for the tongue of your belt buckle. So keeping a wooden block or spare would protect your surface. Whether putting on a few pounds at the holidays or getting fit and shedding inches with The Strenuous Life, its handy to know how to add a new notch or two to your leather belt. i wish i knew about this a long time ago btw you look gorgeous! i am so interested in this hole puncher, but when i went to michaels, they said they didn't even sell those . Use clear shoe polish to seal the inside of the hole you have created a toothpick is handy to apply the polish to the sides. And I love that dress on you . Otherwise, you can purchase one from the store, or try a large nail instead. To learn how to punch a hole in a belt using a leather hole punch, read on! I've been looking for such a solution for years. You should be able to do it using just a sewing needle and a pair of chain nose pliers. ut the belt on and mark where you want the new hole to be with a pen. Center the punch over the marking, use a mallet to give it a few solid whacks to punch through the leather, and there you have it. Like all other methods in our guide, mark the spot of the new hole and place the leather belt on top of a wooden block. 3/16 bit mostly works out if carefully used. Sometimes it could also be due to the fact that your different pairs of pants require different belt sizes, or simply that your leather has stretched a little after being used for a while. Good to know where they're sold and that they're available for such a great price! You must hold the leather belt very firmly or else, it can spin around with the drill causing major damage. And you're telling me there's a $5 solution?! Choose a power drill with your preferred drill bit size. 92 Oldfields Rd, Oldfields Trading Estate, Sutton, United Kingdom SM1 2NU, Belt like a Star: 6 belt styling tips for men, How to store leather belts? With a small, sharp pocket knife, you can pierce the leather, then slowly move it back and forth in a circular motion within the hole to remove small amounts of leather until it reaches the right size. @ Van5virginia lol! We really do live in the same hoodI go to Alton too to get my shoes soled w/ rubber ever since my friend Christine recommended him : ) What a cute little man! This can result in ruining the belt, and also some fairly impressive bruises. I'm now browsing through your old posts and the other day I was JUST wondering if there was an easier way to punch holes in my belts without taking them down to the garage and taking a nail and hammer to them. Built to last a life time - guaranteed. Cool! Also, with whichever methods you are going to use, there is still a chance that the new hole can be imperfectly measured and sized, or even tear away, and you might risk ruining your belt or, Kangaroo Leather Belts team think hard about, View our handmade leather belt collection. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Thanks for sharing this. Ahh, thanks so much. Hi! Mine is still on the way from Amazon, but I'm glad it works so well for you. Find a nail of a similar size to the existing holes. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. When I find a belt I love, I purchase a size M instead of an XS or XXS. The 3/16, Prepare some scrap wood, place your belt on it, and mark the spot for the hole you are trying to make. You might not already have a punch, an awl, or a power drill around the house, or sometimes you can be away from home and do not carry those tools with you. Using a hand drill is another possible and creative way of creating a hole in your leather belt. My dad used to do it the old fashioned way, resulting in scraggly-edged holes. Please consider this, when selecting any of the methods that we will go through in this guide. A small, sharp pocket knife is going to work better for this than a larger blade, but ultimately you have to use what you have. I need to figure out what to do my flopping endsIve heard about fashion tape, but I want a permanent solution! i definitely need to invest in this contraption. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Maybe I should start looking for one in Toronto, hopefully one of the arts stores in the city sells it. Leatherskill is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I thought I was just extra weak! Great tool! I thought about asking my boyfriend to punch extra holes into them, but after inspecting his own DIY belt hole job (see last pic below) I decided to pass, Ive heard so much about this revolving leather hole puncher on AmazonI called around and discovered that Michaels Arts & Crafts and A.C. Moore carries it for $10, plus I found printable coupons online for both stores. omg what a great tool! Amazon is offering a free prime membership to students http://www.amazon.com/student as a promotion, but a .edu email is required. Guest Contributor March 26, 2019 Last updated: May 28, 2021. A leather hole punch is ideal, but with patience, you can achieve a relatively tidy hole with an electric drill, or even a Phillips-head screwdriver. Do you own a leather belt? These have a wheel with various sized punch tubes. I'm glad this was helpful! Gah! Thanks so much for doing the shopping around. Turn the belt over and cut off the leather that has poked through on the other side using a sharp knife. The punching tool tip should fit tightly through the existing holes. With any of the below methods, it is recommended that after you make the initial perforation, you then perform this second step: insert a small, sharp pocket knife into the puncture and twist it around in a circular motion to bore out some of the leather, rounding out and strengthening the hole. But this hole-punching gadget is amazing and super useful, thanks for sharing with us . =) I like that your tool has more sizes though since ours only has 3 or 4. Rosie do you mind sharing where you go and how much it costs to get the ends hacked off? The standard measurement between belt holes is 1 inch. wow, $9.99 + a coupon?! Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. How cool! This process is typically done with a leather hole punch and is relatively simple to achieve.. It may not be the most neat, but it works. Make sure that you hold the belt down firmly when drilling holes into the leather; otherwise, the belt may catch the drill bit and spin in place. This is so genius!! A round drive punch is also recommended. % of people told us that this article helped them. . It's so funny reading the different ways you guys punch belt holes. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 265,063 times. When the bit goes through the leather, it will continue on through whatever surface is beneath it, which may ruin the surface, the drill bit, or both. Now that I live several states away, theirs isn't convenient to use anymore, but I'd never seen one for sale anywhere. Additionally, when drilling the hole, make sure that you have a piece of spare wood or something similar underneath. Simply align the nail over your marking, drive it through with a hammer, and youve got your hole started. The 3/16 sized punch is usually an ideal option for a standard belt buckle. Place the nail over where you want the new hole to be and hammer it through the leather. I don't have long hair so have no idea what a pony tail holder looks like but am off to Accessorize today. Again, be careful of scratching the surface beneath. Punching a hole through a belt takes more effort than you might think. Program, Strengthen Your Tribe: A Report on the Atomic Athlete Vanguard, Sunday Firesides: We Need to Make Adulthood More Desirable, The Best Riddles for Kids (With Answers! thanks again! Great video again and definitely much needed! Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. For 5 bucks,I would rather buy this handy little thing! It may take a few attempts to fully penetrate your leather belt. You're wonderful! You can purchase oval-shaped leather hole punches, but most people will not notice a mix of round and oval holes. We only recommend products we genuinely like, and purchases made through our links support our mission and the free content we publish here on AoM. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you have a medium-ly equipped toolbox, there is a good chance that you might have one. Holes are punched in leather belts as the last step in the manufacturing process or to existing leather belts for a better fit around the waist. For an easier method of making a hole, use a basic leather hole punch that will come with instructions: you can pick these up for about 10. However, patience is key to not making the hole too large and achieving a rounded shape to help prevent tearing. P.S. Find a nail of a similar size to the existing holes. Also, the leather belt should be kept on a wooden block or spare wood as the drill can go through the leather to anything below it. "Protecting" the leather from the marker with tape is not a great idea, as the tape itself can cause damage. woah this is ingenious! Instead, the awl pushes it to the side to create a hole.. For neatness, try to do this in as few hits as possible. Anon it's an old dress from Banana Republicone of the first few items I posted about ever : ). Use a ruler or measuring device to mark the location of the new hole with either a pen or a Sharpie. What a great gadget! Maybe you can do a post for it also? Follow these guidelines to create a perfect new hole for your belt. This circular shape can help prevent tearing, providing strength to the belt when under stress from frequent use. That's such a nifty tool! My grandparents have one of these that's older than I am. You're so personable on video, hope you do more! Rosie Oh how funny! The power drill is a tool you likely already have on hand. Pretty straightforward and perhaps worth investing in this tool if you think youll be punching holes often. Any suggestions? Learn more A moment of frustration with a poorly-fitting belt sometimes tempts a person to attack it with scissors or knives, but there are much better ways to do the job. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Option 2: A scratch awl (or nail) can come in handy. Between these 6 methods, theres bound to be one that matches the tools you personally have on hand. Wow, thanks for the suggestion. Silly me forgot my coupon, but ACMoore took it right off my iPhone score . cut off the end, including all the holes, and then punch new holes where I need them. An awl is a metal point with a handle that is smaller than an ice pick, and could be easily used for all sorts of wood, fabric, paper and leather projects. When drilling holes into the leather, make sure you hold the belt down firmly and have a piece of spare wood or something similar underneath. If the leather is quite thick, insert the sharp point into the material using short firm strokes, or give it a few taps with a mallet to force it through. I have a solution on how to avoid the "tail" of unneeded leather at the end o fa too-big belt. Place the belt on a wooden board and insert the awl onto the marked spot and drive it all the way till you make a neat hole. Following that, there are 3 techniques that require a bit more finessing, but can readily be used in a pinch. on another note, I really like your outfit and that royal blue looks fantastic on you! The heated nail will penetrate the leathers fiber structure, creating a round hole. Also, with whichever methods you are going to use, there is still a chance that the new hole can be imperfectly measured and sized, or even tear away, and you might risk ruining your belt or even hurting yourself. Definitely google & print a coupon before you go! I'll check out Michael's Thanks!! Our belts have classy designs that will certainly suit the taste of all ages. Then you must know how to punch a hole in it. oh wow, thanks so much for the idea! Mens Leather Belt Storage Ideas, Why does my leather belt smell bad? For neatness, try to do this in as few hits as possible. If this puncher were not so darn cheap I would just do it the old way too. I'm probably going to need a belt-punching helper too they're handy to have around , I have the exact same one! All you have to do is mark the spot using a measuring tape so you do not punch a hole that looks unevenly spaced when compared to the other holes on your belt. Typically it makes no difference if you mark on the back or front side of the belt, since that piece of leather will be removed anyway when you poke the new hole. But that didn't come without a struggle :p. This tool could be a life saver! And, yes, I've needed "helpers" to punch holes in thicker leathers too=), Workwear edition: Cream or black? No matter what your reason maybe, if you need a hole your leather belt, then you have to punch one. By using our site, you agree to our. Those little gadgets make life so much easier.I am giving away a beautiful necklace at PetiteLittleGirl.com. Another method for puncturing the leather to get the hole started is using a hammer and nail. These staple top, Our trip in 30 seconds Last year when I was w, Lilac, ivory or blue - which outfit is your favori, Cream or black? OMG I just made two holes on my new belt last night and I totally did it the "old fashioned" way. Before you start: essential kit and stitching techniques. This is brilliant! 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. When not teaching or with his family, Magnus promotes the art of leatherworking as a recreational leathercraft historian and content creator with Elktracks Studio. I have that dress too and really like it! While this method is workable, it may not be the best for punching larger holes. Punch pliers are also known as leather hole puncher or rotary punch which are specially designed tools used for making holes in the leather belt. Thanks for sharing! This tool can be helpful for creating the hole and maintaining the right size. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about sales and new products. Gladys oh I know what you mean it's the artificial leather belt smell. Verdict: A MUST HAVE for anyone who has ever had trouble finding belts in the right size whether too big or too small. I will be on my way to Michael's to pick one up. References. Mine from F21 smell terrible! Because sooner or later, you may have to punch one for various reasons. ; -)). Add any text here or remove it. If you do not have an awl, then a large nail can be good enough. I wish I knew about this when I was skinny! Last Updated: August 10, 2021 The following methods will, in just one step, result in a strong, nicely rounded hole. Begin by simply holding the nail with pliers over the stove fire until it heats up enough. If that happens, repeat the same process by stretching the belt and pushing the nail through it using your pliers. The good news is that youll be able to use other tools and methods to punch holes in your leather belt. thanks a bunch! If using a smooth drill bit, create a small depression for it to stand in, using a sharp knife or nail. Belts can be dismantled at the buckle and cut down to the right size, tho I'm not sure about women's belt. That's an awesome tool! These have worked the best for me even if the extra length goes around the back. Hold your drill on top of the new hole spot, then begin drilling into the leather belt very slowly. Start by keeping the belt firmly stretched on a surface, with one end beneath your foot and the other end in your hand so that you can easily create the hole. After that, clean the edges of the hole by moving the drill up and down and make sure that you dont apply excess pressure on the handle as it may break.. Insert drill bits by hand into the existing holes. I was just telling myself the other day that I need to get a hole puncher like that. However, this might not always be a convenient situation. Can be a bit clingy in the back though. These sharp steel tubes come in several sizes, but typically youd want to use the 3/16 size to make holes on a belt for a standard belt buckle. I have my shoe repairman (I'm also in Boston!) The standard measurement between belt holes is 1 inch, center to center. (Follow the precautions in the previous step. A round drive punch is also recommended. After a few minutes, when the nail is heated sufficiently, push the point of the nail where you want to make a hole and apply pressure. The standard measurement between holes in most mens belts is a perfect 1 pinch. Thanks for the Amazon tip! For this, youll need a power drill and a drill bit that matches the size of your existing belt holes. Regardless of which method of hole-making you choose, youll first want to measure out and mark where you want the hole to go. To ensure that the nail matches the size of your belt holes, choose a nail size with a gauge between 4 to 8 or penny size 16d to 40d for best results. You can take your belts to a shoe repair place and they will shorten it for you! That seems rather dangerous. Podcast #678: Physical Benchmarks Every Man Should Meet, At Every Age, How to Use Lifting Straps to Level Up Your Strength Training, How to Recognize and Treat Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion, What Every Man Should Know About Having a Heart Attack, The Insanely Difficult Standards of Historys Hardest P.E. Drill in short bursts, especially when starting the hole. Hi!! Although there is a wide variety of leather hole punches available in the market, they may not be readily available to you. in my belts using his Swiss Army knife. Lol What I would normally do is turn on the stove and use a pair of pliers to hold a nail in the flames. You can use scissors, a knife, a pencil, or really anything round and slightly sharp to punch a hole. Free shipping for a whole year!! If you are making a belt from scratch, you'll also need an "English point" hole punch to create the hole where the strap end will be embedded. I'm buying one of those gadgets with my next Michael's coupon! We are a group of leather aficionados, hoping to share our knowledge and skills with our readers. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5fc8c9768624d621d9f12093b98c141" );document.getElementById("b5c1324e48").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Prime Ethos is a dedicated mens leather belt retailer. Leather belts are fairly thick, so it may take a little while. However, although a pocket knife can come in handy for finishing out the hole, it is not necessarily an ideal solution to start one. To make a hole, simply rotate the punch into place, position it centered over your marking, then squeeze the handle, and you should be left with a perfectly round hole. I definitely have some belts that i'd love to wear but are too big. Begin by marking where you want the hole to be and placing the belt on a wooden block. This is a tool not tough to find. Once the nail turns red from the fire, I would push it against the belt and make a hole that wayKinda scary and dangerous if you don't have a firm grip on it, but the heat does help to burn through the leather and allow for a relatively clean hole =]. Oh wow thanks for sharing this!! Use a brad-pointed drill bit if available. It is tucked away below ground and is run by a very sweet old Armenian man. Selecting the most suitable drill bits for your power drill can make a difference in creating a hole that matches all of the others. Take note that this may take a couple of attempts. This may take a little while. However, However, straightforward though it may seem, you need to be extremely, As mentioned, there are several ways for you to make a new hole for your leather belt. Editors Note: This is a guest article byMichael Magnus. As just mentioned, a knife is going to come in handy for finishing out the hole on all 3 of these puncturing options, but youll have to be careful if using it to start one. Keep in mind that youll need to select a mallet with an appropriate diameter to match the hole sizes of your belt. Make sure to put something, that you don't mind damaging, that doesn't move around behind the belt, that is thick enough, for when the drill bit goes through. Once youve made the initial hole, youll have a good starting point for whittling out some leather with your pocket knife to create the appropriately sized, rounded hole. BTW, your dress is super cute! And, it cuts through the THICKEST leather with no effort. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Great little gadget and tutorial! I don't know why i didn't see this post before :p I tried making a hole in my belt a long time ago and it was nothing but a fail! By using the 3/16 bit, you can carefully drill a hole into the leather. The hole poked with a knife is also more likely to tear away due to the shape of the blade that may make it hard to puncture the thick leather. i was seriously struggling a couple of days ago because i have a couple of belts that don't fit. Next, place a wooden block underneath your marked spot and ensure that its firmly held in place. This method is one of the most cost-efficient ones on this list and only requires the two aforementioned components. If you have access toa scratch awl, a sewing awl, or even an ice pick, these can come in handy for getting the hole started and maintaining the right size. All my belts are super flappy and don't have enough holes. Ah I don't know what to do about the extra length at the end either! wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Lightly marking it with an x or a simple indent will do the trick (if youre adding a hole, ensure that the distances remain the same)..

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