DIY belt buckle Issue #34

Craft-off contest: third place

By Mika Norris
Published: December 1st, 2007 | 3:06pm

Mika Norris’ love for functional art led to crafting many years ago. If you don't find her working on a project in her L.A. garage studio, she’s likely in her garden trimming or planting something.

Skill level: junior
Total Cost: about $15

Supplies
• wine crate
• picture from an old book
• epoxy ($14)
• white glue ($1)
• wire hanger

Tools
• pencil
• ruler
• saw (old school or jig saw)
• two pliers (long nose)
• wire-cutter pliers
• hammer
• staple gun
• sandpaper
• drill (use bits 3/32-inch and 1/16-inch)
• scissors
• old paint brush

Go to it

1. Take apart your wine crate. Measure the size of your buckle on the wood (mine is 4 inches in length by 2.5 inches in height) and sketch out the full pattern.

2. Cut the buckle out of the wood and sand the corners and edges to smooth them out.

3. Measure and mark where your holes will be for your loop (the loop is where one end of the belt slips through and is secured). Keep in mind that the distance between the holes for the loop depends on the size of your belt; so make sure your belt will fit between your loop marks. Next, mark where the post will be located (the post is the piece which fits into your belt hole to keep your belt on). The loop should be centered between your loop marks at the other end of the buckle.

4. Then use a 1/16-drill bit to drill two holes for the loop and 3/32-bit drill for the post.

5. Using the wire cutting pliers cut about a 4-inch straight piece of wire from the hanger. At the middle point on the wire, measure and mark the distance between each loophole. Bend the wire, at each mark at a 90-degree angle using the two long-nose pliers. (It should now look like a rectangle or square with a missing side.)

6. Place each end of the wire through a loophole from the back of the buckle to the front.

7. Leaving enough room between the loop and the wood to fit a belt with snaps, bend the ends of the wire so they are flat against the wood (hint: hang the loop over the edge of a table facing down and secure the loop space with long nose pliers and hammer the end of the wire at a 90-degree angle). Once the ends are parallel to the wood, hammer them into the wood so it is flush. Use the staple gun to secure the ends in the wood.

8. Next is the post: using the cutting pliers cut the twisted neck part of the hanger from where the wire forks out to the top of the twist. Place it through the post-hole you drilled with the top of the twist facing through the loop side.

9. Bend the fork at a 90-degree angle parallel to the wood and hammer-flush in the wood. Again, use the staple gun to secure the fork to the wood. Sand the post-ends a little so you don’t tear holes in your pants. Then lightly bend the post inward toward the loop (hint: hold the base of the post with pliers and use another pair of pliers to bend the end).

10. Find a picture you like from a magazine or book and cut it to fit your buckle. Spread white glue on the back of the picture and place on your buckle over the secured wire ends. Let dry.

Next stir your epoxy resin and place a dollar-coin amount on to your buckle (not too much it will spread thin). Use the paintbrush to help spread it even over your buckle and around the sides. Let stand for 24 to 48 hours to dry