Kilt Belt Hardware - Any good sources?

[artificer]

Hi All,
I'm looking for the metal bars ( shaped clips) that a waist plate fastens to. Does anybody out there have a good source for these parts. I can't seem to locate one.

Also, if anyone has any cool leads on casual or day buckles (ie non-waist plate), I'd be most appreciative.

[CMcG]

Not sure about the metal bars for waist plates...

Check Oconee for day wear buckles:
http://www.oconeeleatherworks.com/clearance.htm

Or Tandy Leather:
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/h...s/Buckles.aspx

[Santa Kona]

I have been looking for them myself but have had no luck. I even thought about buying some crappy kilt belts just to strip off the hardware.

[artificer]

Thanks for the leads. I've got a Tandy just up the road that I visit with some frequency.

Does anyone even know what the name of the waist plate clips are called?

It'd be easier to search for if I knew the name.

[sydnie7]

These folks (LINK) show a huge range of belt hardware. I've clicked on a few links but not found the kilt belt clip. Maybe contact them with a picture of what you're looking for?

[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

[Tartan Hiker]

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

[Tobus]

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

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.

I've had good luck in the past using 1/8" diameter steel rod, which you can usually find at any hardware store. I've even made custom roller buckles from 1/8" rod stock when I couldn't find a buckle to fit my need. As an example, I was building a replica rifle sling for a WWII-era Russian rifle, and simply could not find a buckle that looked like the original. So I bent some 1/8" rod and made my own, then cold-blued it. It's the one on the left:



The 1/8" diameter steel rod should be plenty stout enough for a kilt belt waistplate connector, and it should be easy enough to bend into shape. Especially if you make yourself a wood block as a bending jig. Then just scrub it with some steel wool, degrease it, and cold-blue it (unless you have access to chrome or nickel plating equipment). It should work like a champ!

If I ever get around to making the custom tooled kilt belt I've been talking about, this is what I'm going to have to do for the waistplate connector. Maybe if I do that, I'll build several of them for the rabble here that need them. But it likely won't be anytime soon.

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

[Santa Kona]

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?

[Tobus]

Nah, it's not a keeper. The keeper is the leather 'ring' around the belt (just to the left of the metal clip in the picture above).