Kilt Belt Hardware - Any good sources?

**Chas** · 31st May 10, 02:23 AM

Hi,

Are these the things you are looking for?

If so, why can you not make one out of a wire coat hanger?

I am a fan of Tandy and buy these:

Not only do you get to colour them as you wish, but you can change the buckles on a regular basis. I use the 2" belt. I go round the charity shops once a month to check out the buckles.

Regards

Chas

**Tartan Hiker** · 8th June 10, 08:23 PM

These guys always have lots of nice buckles in wide sizes. I also get my kilt strap buckles from them (1.5" nickle). They are top notch!

http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchan...de=530-100-000

**Santa Kona** · 9th June 10, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Hi,

Are these the things you are looking for?

If so, why can you not make one out of a wire coat hanger?

I am a fan of Tandy and buy these:

Not only do you get to colour them as you wish, but you can change the buckles on a regular basis. I use the 2" belt. I go round the charity shops once a month to check out the buckles.

Regards

Chas

Chas yes these are just the thing first the are one piece and welded at the ends and are much heaver then any wire hanger. Also they are plated, the rest of the links supplied by the other members are for buckles. I don't know what the official name for this is however it is not a buckle perhaps it's a keeper?

**artificer** · 9th June 10, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

Hi,

Are these the things you are looking for?

If so, why can you not make one out of a wire coat hanger?
Chas

I could make them out of coat hanger for me personally, but I'd like something welded in a chrome plated finish. SOMEONE is making them for all these kilt belt makers (gods know they aren't doing it themselves) it's just a matter of finding out WHO is making them.

I like Tandy also, but I do prefer to make my own belts out of raw strap. I prefer four 'Chicago Screws' to two snaps. As my father used to say (and sometimes still does) "You can never over-build"

Originally Posted by Tobus

I've been thinking about the same thing, but I'm not sure a wire coat hanger would be stout enough. It would probably bend and distort if you tighten the belt even a little, or if you try to hang any weight from the belt.

The 1/8" diameter steel rod should be plenty stout enough for a kilt belt waistplate connector...

Why don't the regular kilt accessory vendors carry these??????????

Very nice replication of the strap! Apart from the fact that your craftsmanship is better than the original

I'm still completely flummoxed by the non-existence of this product in belting/hardware catalogs. I really don't want to contract a local firm to produce these for me when I know somewhere there is a source (most likely China) that is making them by the TON. In the words (mis-appropriated) of General Macauliffe... "Nuts".

**Chas** · 10th June 10, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I like Tandy also, but I do prefer to make my own belts out of raw strap. I prefer four 'Chicago Screws' to two snaps. As my father used to say (and sometimes still does) "You can never over-build"

Am I understanding this correctly. When you say Chicago Screws, do you mean some kind of rivet? I can understand the need for a secure joint, but I wonder how much tension these belts are under. After all, if the kilt is properly made, it will hold itself up. The belt would only be there to add a visual break to the overall look and, of course, a bit of bling.

I use the two snaps, as they allow me to swap the buckles for different occasions.

I think that you are probably right, these 'things' are made in China. And have probably been made in China for decades. So when it says on my kilt belt 'Made in Scotland', do you think they really mean 'Assembled in Scotland'? Maybe we shouldn't think about this too deeply. As I keep telling my son - "Don't ask the question, if you don't want to hear the answer".

Regards

Chas

**artificer** · 10th June 10, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Am I understanding this correctly. When you say Chicago Screws, do you mean some kind of rivet? I can understand the need for a secure joint, but I wonder how much tension these belts are under.

I use the two snaps, as they allow me to swap the buckles for different occasions.

I think that you are probably right, these 'things' are made in China. And have probably been made in China for decades. So when it says on my kilt belt 'Made in Scotland', do you think they really mean 'Assembled in Scotland'? Maybe we shouldn't think about this too deeply. As I keep telling my son - "Don't ask the question, if you don't want to hear the answer".

Regards

Chas

The Chicago Screw is like a threaded rivet. It has a slotted back for a flathead screwdriver to tighten/loosen.

One of the reasons I like these is that you can disassemble to allow swapping out buckles/repair etc. I think the finish of these is nicer than the snaps on the snapped belt blanks (which I've used). They are also available in chromed steel, brass and black.

Also, with any belt 2" wide or wider I feel that the double attachment will help prevent the belt 'curling' with the gravity of certain substantial men... this is especially true as the belt softens with use. This is doubly true with spirit dyed and oil/wax finished leathers (rather than the 'hard-coat' leathers usually available from regular kilt outfitters, where the whole surface is essentially painted on with acrylic 'dye').

As for "don't ask the question..." I tell my son that ALL the time as well