Belt Buckles

[Hillbilly007]

I don't know what they are made of, but at only 99 cents, it may be a good practice plate.

http://www.tandyleatheroutlet.com/p-3-rectangle-slide-concho-buckle-blank-small.aspx
http://www.tandyleatheroutlet.com/p-13-oval-slide-concho-buckle-blank-small.aspx

 

[Roger Bleile]

I engraved one of the oval ones many years ago. It was made of galvanized steel. It cut easily after I sanded the coating off.

 

[Brian Marshall]

Originally these were designed to be covered with carved leather.

Front & back. The 2 pieces either laced or sewn together.

If you have seen a metal concho belt - it's easy to understand. (google)


These are not buckles, they are slides. Which means they slide onto the strap. As in an ornament, not a buckle.

If you were a smith, you could easily change them into buckles. If not, well... might be good practice plates?


If they are indeed galvanized steel - it would not be a good idea to heat them to soldering temps. Research "metal fume fever"...


Brian

 

[Ron Spokovich]

Have to agree with Brian, as they're slides. A blow up of the photo shows the ends of the slides coming through, which raises a strength question. To me, I'd not convert to a buckle, as they're flimsy. Years ago, and I have stock that I've got to make up some buckles from, the construction rivaled a grappling hook. Some guys, and gals, pack some iron, and buckles have to be substantial. You don't want to be known as the jerk who caused their .45 to skid down the street, into the nearest sewer grate! I don't. For a no stress application, they might be great, although who knows what the metal is composed of, and how solid the loops are. For the price, order a couple, and see what gives.

 

[monk]

several years ago i got a few "ready mades" from tandy. they were true buckles, and made of nickel silver. some call it german silver. they were substantial and nice to engrave. i bought them as they had the compound curve. i made a buckle former that would only form a single curve, and that's why i bought those from tandy.

 

[dave gibson]

Gary those buckles from Tandy are pretty cheesy, they cut OK but when you're done it's still a crappy buckle with hours of work. Eagle Feather Trading Post in Utah has something better almost as cheap. Pretty sure they're copper with a shiny plating, maybe chrome. I scuff them up a little with about a 600 sandpaper but be careful, the plating is thin, I sanded one till some copper showed through. I'm going to post some pix of some I just finished. I'll try to find a link.

 

[dave gibson]

These are cheap junk too but they at least have a decent appearance. The Tandy ones have some different colors and weird spots that sanding and engraving doesn't even hide.
http://www.eaglefeathertrading.com/...tore_Code=EFTP&Category_Code=4750BucklesBelts

 

[Brian Marshall]

That is because the Tandy buckles (and slides) were MADE to be covered with carved leather.

Never intended to be engraved...


Brian