Robbos strap thread

[Robbo73]

Thought I'd start a thread to share the beginning of my attempt to make a strap or two.

Started with a few 99p belts off fleabay, one kindly donated by Bonesey, one of my own and the DaLuca tutorial.

Here's the damage my Seiwa diamond hole punch does (4mm spacings).
View attachment 1044
I bought that belt thinking it would be a couple of inches wide. Turned out it's 21mm uncut and will be tried out on my 3717 once Goin and Taka have finished with it!
Pictured here with another recycled belt enjoying the Scottish summer.
View attachment 1045

And finally with an odd salmon coloured strap from an even more odd salmon coloured belt!! Tried a bit of pattern with the punch this time.
View attachment 1046

Final one with all the tools used so far...
View attachment 1047
All the skill is in the skiving. Make sure your kids aren't in earshot the first few times you try it!

Got my linen thread to learn how to stitch tonight, then onto finishing the straps. Still waiting for 1 tool and need to get some buckles - suggestions welcome if there are buckle experts out there.

 

[Robbo73]

Stitch that...

 

[Robbo73]

Postman heard my cry for finishing tools... ?
View attachment 1059

 

[Robbo73]

Found a 20mm buckle off an old Seiko strap.

The first strap I ever finished now done...
View attachment 1062
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Here's how it started out life...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170666375684#ht_500wt_922

 

[05tbowner]

Robbo, where did you get the tool that cuts the tail of the strap? I've been looking but I'm not even sure I know what it's called. Thanks!

 

[Robbo73]

Robbo, where did you get the tool that cuts the tail of the strap? I've been looking but I'm not even sure I know what it's called. Thanks!

It's a strap end punch. Mine is a Tandy 1 inch English point but there are plenty of options. Have a scooch around leatherwork sites like Tandy Leather then jump on eBay/web for a better price. This, the skiver and the diamond hole punch are the most expensive tools. Having said that, I think I paid under 100USD for all my tools and raw materials to get started.

Try zelikovitzleathers on eBay as a starter. I paid ard 31USD for the end punch plus shipping.

 

[05tbowner]

Alright, cool. Thanks!

 

[Robbo73]

Black and brown Edge Kote arrived today so I'll be experimenting with that this weekend...

 

[05tbowner]

Robbo, could you tell me what you used to shave the leather to make it thinner in some spots?

 

[Robbo73]

It's a skiver. There's a definite knack to it. I picked up a tool from eBay called a super skiver. I think it's made by Tandy Leather.

On the shot of the tools above, it's the silver tool on the lower RHS.

 

[05tbowner]

Thanks again! Just bought all the tools I need now!

 

[Snpr9696]

Yeah I started my project also. I'm using a old leather belt. Shaved it down with an exacto knife. Took a little longer but it worked. I'm on the road. Heres were I'm at so far.

Correction, here's were I'm at so far. Just gotta stitch and do the keeper. Probably edge kote too.

 

[Robbo73]

Yeah I started my project also. I'm using a old leather belt. Shaved it down with an exacto knife. Took a little longer but it worked. I'm on the road. Heres were I'm at so far.

Correction, here's were I'm at so far. Just gotta stitch and do the keeper. Probably edge kote too.

Very nice. Apologies if it's obvious but I'd Edge Kote then stitch otherwise your stitching is going to get coloured.

I've taken the plunge and picked up a Tandy stitching kit to get a bit more creative with the stitching... waiting for the postman again...

 

[Snpr9696]

What's the stitching kit? I'll take your advice on the edge kote next time. What's your thoughts on burnishing.

Ok .... I'm pretty proud of myself. *I finally made my own strap. *Please keep in mind that this is my first go at it. * I used an old leather belt that was about 4mm thick. *I cut it to 24mm and sized it to 130/80mm. *I had to skive the leather pretty good to taper it off so it could fold onto itself. *I used an xacto knife with a chisel type blade for this. *It worked well but took a little longer. *I used contact cement to glue everything and a 4x1/8th lacing punch for the stitching holes. *I went to the craft store and found some hemp black cord which I'm opinion worked great. *I had a variable hole punch for the sizing holes as well as the keeper. *This strap making project is highly addicting and I find myself looking forward to my next one. *I still have to stitch the keeper yet but that will come tomorrow. *It sized out perfect too. *Right in the middle hole. *I might edge kote the strap what are your opinions.

 

[Snpr9696]

Where is everyone getting their leather. I'm having a hard time finding material thin enough to fold back onto itself. I would ideally like a 1.5 or 2mm thick piece. Any suggestions.

 

[05tbowner]

Old handbags, belts, that kind of stuff.

 

[Robbo73]

What's the stitching kit?

Here you go... Has all the tools plus waxed thread and techniques. Picked mine up off the bay.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/en-gbp/locale/uk/11189-00.aspx

 

[Robbo73]

There's a nice resource here which has some sources of materials and tools (US) as well as some how to guides... including burnishing leather:
http://www.coxontool.com/index.php/Leather/HomePage

Think your first PAM strap looks fantastic btw... great job. I've put my strap making on hold until I get my stitching kit and can be a bit more creative. Very addictive though and I also ordered a PAM to go with my straps... ahem ...

Anyway, I've got better at skiving and been able to go thinner when practicing on some scraps I had and it reduces rub against the watch case. I was looking at one of my Hirsch straps which is pretty thick but has a very thin loop at the spring bar - gave me the confidence to try to go thinner.

 

[Snpr9696]

Great thanks Robbo. I finished up my second that I used on my Sinn U Black. Came out good. I'm getting better. I just want to find some better leather pieces to work with. My next purchase will most likely be a strap cutter to make things nice and straight.