Anyone sell blank belt buckles?

dave gibson · Feb 2, 2015

Anybody out there sell belt buckle blanks to engrave. I'd like some thing like GRS used to sell but I can't find anything too close. Nickel or ss , rectangle, oval, domed or slightly curved, with backing hardware if possible.Probably 10 or 20 of each. Nothing too special, just looking for some buckles to engrave and the google search is overwhelming with junk.

dlilazteca · Feb 2, 2015

Try Beathard engraving

Saludos,
Carlos

Hillbilly007 · Feb 2, 2015

dave gibson said:
Anybody out there sell belt buckle blanks to engrave. I'd like some thing like GRS used to sell but I can't find anything too close. Nickel or ss , rectangle, oval, domed or slightly curved, with backing hardware if possible.Probably 10 or 20 of each. Nothing too special, just looking for some buckles to engrave and the google search is overwhelming with junk.

Try this: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/buckles/buckles.aspx

dogcatcher · Feb 2, 2015

If you want parts so can make your own out of steel look at this site. http://www.stevesfinethings.com/Home_Page.php

Bob A · Feb 3, 2015

There's a firm in N Attleboro MA that sells a sterling dress belt buckle blank, but it's pretty pricey (almost $200). If you look on Etsy, you'll find a guy from Canada that sells stainless blanks but again, it's retail ($49 ea if memory serves).

I'm looking for a machine shop/welder to make me some, I've had no luck online for anything of quality at any type of price.

Bob

atexascowboy2011 · Feb 3, 2015

All else fails, MAKE YOUR OWN !

Crazy Horse · Feb 3, 2015

atexascowboy2011 said:
All else fails, MAKE YOUR OWN !

Perhaps a benevolent cowboy might make a tutorial on making a buckle???? ;~)

dlilazteca · Feb 3, 2015

Crazy Horse said:
Perhaps a benevolent cowboy might make a tutorial on making a buckle???? ;~)

Now there an idea! I second the motion

Brian Marshall · Feb 3, 2015

Dave Gibson has been here... seen the tools & equipment and watched me fix a couple of his buckles.

I will offer, for the last time - a Western silversmithing workshop that covers ALL the basic aspects of making buckles, loops, tips and all the "trim". (Conchos, horncaps, cantleplates, cornerplates, bridle & halter ornaments are just variations)

It will include cutting, blanking, forming, making your own findings and soldering techiniques to assemble everything...

It's gonna have to be a 5 day hands on workshop and it will include notes and all of the practice materials. We won't be using silver because of the cost.

Nickel, steel, "jewelers bronze" and a few cast motifs will be provided. You can bring your own materials if you want to work in silver. (I may have some silver parts available for sale, but at the moment I don't know because I haven't looked to see what's here)

There are 5 complete "hot benches", shears, dies and presses here, so 5 people would be the limit.

Cost will be $800 per person - materials, fuel gases, chemicals, & solder included.

If anyone is SERIOUSLY interested - email me at instructor@jewelryartschool.com and I will set the dates.

Brian

If this workshop fills, I will follow it with another 5 day workshop on Western style bright cut engraving - so those who have made projects in the previous week of smithing can learn to engrave what they have made.

atexascowboy2011 · Feb 3, 2015

I profile my pieces, spurs,buckles, what have you with a jewelers saw.
For a 16ga.N.S. buckle, I would use a #2 Laser Gold. Keep it lubed !!! as the N.S. will work harden on you in a heartbeat !
Options would be to bandsaw or waterjet it.
Or get on the Bit and Spur Free Forum and have a budding maker fix you up.

atexascowboy2011 · Feb 3, 2015

Okay, Okay !
Here is your requested buckle blank tutorial !
#1- Draw out your buckle on paper.
#2- Glue the paper to your buckle blank material with 3M spray adhesive.
#3- Saw out with a jeweler's saw.
#4- Saw out your hinges, bar and tongue.
#5- Solder parts together.

You can sell a man a buckle blank($4.98)or he can learn to make buckles of different styles, shapes and materials(priceless!)

Hillbilly007 · Feb 3, 2015

Here is another one that I found: http://www.artbeads.com/emb-0009.html?cmp=googlebase&gclid=CPOF5fq9xsMCFQyMaQodyiwAVA

wdale.bass · Feb 3, 2015

Gerry Beathard was in my shop the Wed. after FEGA,Shooting a video/step by step pictures of me making a buckle & keeper from scratch,dont know when or what format he will use but we didn't leave out any steps.

monk · Feb 3, 2015

i have always made my own.

Haraga.com · Feb 3, 2015

atexascowboy2011 said:
Okay, Okay !
Here is your requested buckle blank tutorial !
#1- Draw out your buckle on paper.
#2- Glue the paper to your buckle blank material with 3M spray adhesive.
#3- Saw out with a jeweler's saw.
#4- Saw out your hinges, bar and tongue.
#5- Solder parts together.

You can sell a man a buckle blank($4.98)or he can learn to make buckles of different styles, shapes and materials(priceless!)

You missed a couple steps.

dave gibson · Feb 3, 2015

Thanks for the input all, I knew this would be the place to find out cAuse so many of you do build your own. Now I have a few more contacts to contact. I don't have the tools, space or desire to build my own, Brian has the classroom and teaching skills for those who do.That's just another end of this business I'd rather pay someone else to do properly.

sanch · Feb 3, 2015

another source for "cheap" blanks
http://www.conchos.com/plainbuckles.html

atexascowboy2011 · Feb 4, 2015

Missing Steps Haraga ?
#6- Neutralize
#7- Buff (But don't buff in the Buff !) :shock:

zzcutter · Feb 4, 2015

What would you recommend to solder the pieces together. thanks ZZ

dogcatcher · Feb 4, 2015

sanch said:
another source for "cheap" blanks
http://www.conchos.com/plainbuckles.html

I am afraid at those prices these will be cast pot metal and then plated. The actual metal will most likely be of "questionable" quality, and probably no 2 will be the same quality.

Anyone sell blank belt buckles?

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