My Hod Hill Belt Project

Tools and Materials

These are the five stamps I used to make the plates. The top was an old beat up chisel, the next two are nails, one sanded to the shape of a triangle, the other sanded to make a small square. The 4th down was a small chizel blade I bought for 99 cents. The last was a piece of 3/8 inch scrap dowel from broken airsoft gun. I sanded the tip to look like a leaf petal. All but the Chisel blade could be tightened into the chuck of my drill press. All these dies took about 10 minutes to make. If you are in the group you may borrow these exact ones. (as long as you bring them back of course)

Construction

Before cutting, make sure you draw with sharpie marker all the major planning of where everything is supposed to go. Each plate is 2-1/4 X 1-1/8 inches, and I used 26 Gauge Brass (pretty thin, a little thicker is probably more appropriate). You also need to remember to leave extra on three of the plates for making the hinged part for frogs and buckles. You may need more or less plates depending on your waist and such. Most belts are usually ten plates. (Again refer to the legio XX Belts page for more info on the configuration)

Now you are ready to make plates!! I used my drill press because it was faster, but you could just as easily use a small hammer to make the indention. It just takes a little longer. First use the widest chisel to make the outermost lines.

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Next use both the large and small chisels where appropriate to make the innermost rectangle.

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As you are making the indentions, you will notice the brass sheet curling up and refusing to stay flat. Simply flip it over on a piece of flat wood, and hammer it with a rubber mallet pretty hard a few times. It should actually make the design more contrasting and clear on the front as well!

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This time we added the squares right and left of the flower pattern.

Also notice the upper-left-most plate is completely finished with the innward facing triangles stamped around the squares and flower. ALL FINISHED and ready to attach to leather!

Instructions on riveting belt plates