Strap problem.....

[the_don_robinson]

Hi all,

I bought an AWESOME soft strap from one of the spanish strap makers. Very happy with how it looks and the quality of the leather but....

... i cant seem to get it to 'fit' on to any of my 44mm Luminor cases. It is the correct width but i think its too thick. I uploaded some pics at the below as i wasnt sure how to insert them here dynamically.

http://s1170.photobucket.com/albums/r531/the_don_robinson/

anyway as you can see in the photos the hole where the tubes go isnt very tight and the strap cant rotate the 180 degrees so is constantly in one position, otherwise it feels like i am putting strain on the tubes.... Its difficult to explain but hopefully the pics make it a bit clearer.

anyways im not sending it back (i have had it ages! just never got round to sorting).

Is there a good way to 'fix' this ?
Is it just too thick?
Any help appreciated as it is a nice looking strap!

Cheers.
Adam
Never

 

[gianton]

From what I see the strap is too thick in the lugs. There's not much you can do really. Try mounting it with no tubes. Only the maker can fix it but I think it's too much time to do that.

 

[justlounging]

That looks like a gunny strap and yes it does look a tad too thick..perhaps you might like to lightly sand the strap down a little..

other than that, just keep wearing it? the leather should be supple enough to accommodate the lug screws..

 

[the_don_robinson]

thanks guys.... whats the best place to shave it down? somehow on the inside or the outside/ underneath? regular sandpaper?

sorry not worked with leathers before! cheers.

 

[justlounging]

hmm i would say at the spot where the strap touches the case..having said that, you need to be aware of what you're doing..you cant put back what you shaved off..



best to check with the strap dealer on this..

 

[allez]

got that prob also with a handmade strap...i did it with a little round file and skimmed leather from the inside. on the outside you will see it...i would try it inside...
is it a jose maria (CB straps)???
maybe your PAM isn´t a "super rep so it doesn´t got perfekt meassurements at the lugs! Do not recognize the model from the side...
Got that prob with a cheaper PAM rep, with my ultimate 177 Hfact no prob...sometimes just half a milimeter helps :/

 

[frigpig]

got that prob also with a handmade strap...i did it with a little round file and skimmed leather from the inside.

This is the best solution but I use a drill and a drill bit the same size as my tubes.

Put it in all the way, start your drill and move it back and forth while pulling down on the strap. You have to be carfull to keep both sides even, so move the drill to the other side of the strap then back.

I've done this many times with many straps. I love my 6mils.

 

[ALE7575]

This is the best solution but I use a drill and a drill bit the same size as my tubes.

Put it in all the way, start your drill and move it back and forth while pulling down on the strap. You have to be carfull to keep both sides even, so move the drill to the other side of the strap then back.

I've done this many times with many straps. I love my 6mils.

I agree with this frigpig's solution

I guess he is means like as follows

ALE

 

[allez]

good idea guys, nice demonstration ALE!
I was a little afraid - got same idea but for me the file was better I think...not a mechanic, just a pencil pusher

 

[ALE7575]

good idea guys, nice demonstration ALE!
I was a little afraid - got same idea but for me the file was better I think...not a mechanic, just a pencil pusher

You can use the circular file instead of the drill no problem.
ALE

 

[frigpig]

Did you draw this Ale? You've got waaaay too much time on your hands! Nice job.

 

[justlounging]

+1

That should be kept in the new 'Strap' section if you're planning to create ALE..

 

[PolonusTM]

Since it is a "drawing day" Sunday morning, having plenty of time and it is me very fond of fat straps - the problem is known.

My solution instead of filing the hole was to compress just the edge of hole using vice, pieces of hard wood and a nail. Filling always left me with a bit too big hole which I disliked so I "developed" this approach.

Benefits:
- no extra space appears, nothing to be filled with anything
- no material removal = no compromise on strap durability

I hope the drawing is self-explanatory Just remember to remove tubes before this operation since you don't want them to get damage. Clamp it in vise and give it a couple of minutes to acquire new shape.

 

[micscave]

Since it is a "drawing day" Sunday morning, having plenty of time and it is me very fond of fat straps - the problem is known.

My solution instead of filing the hole was to compress just the edge of hole using vice, pieces of hard wood and a nail. Filling always left me with a bit too big hole which I disliked so I "developed" this approach.

Benefits:
- no extra space appears, nothing to be filled with anything
- no material removal = no compromise on strap durability

I hope the drawing is self-explanatory Just remember to remove tubes before this operation since you don't want them to get damage. Clamp it in vise and give it a couple of minutes to acquire new shape.

That's a brilliant solution which I might need. I've got a 6mm - 7mm gunny strap incoming and was a bit worried about it being a little too bulky.

Good job mate.

 

[the_don_robinson]

Excellent suggestions guys!
I love this strap and will def try the drill solution (i dont have a vice handy)!
It is a Jose strap, lovely and soft, great colour.
The watch it is on in the photos is a Getat MM homage but the problem is the same on my 111n and 112. Reason i stuck him on this is i didnt want to squeeze or force the screws in case they misthread....

thanks again folks will get em fixed up and post a photo if it works! Cheers

 

[frigpig]

You can always ask the strap maker to skiff the area before he glues the strap next time too.

 

[ALE7575]

Since it is a "drawing day" Sunday morning, having plenty of time and it is me very fond of fat straps - the problem is known.

My solution instead of filing the hole was to compress just the edge of hole using vice, pieces of hard wood and a nail. Filling always left me with a bit too big hole which I disliked so I "developed" this approach.

Benefits:
- no extra space appears, nothing to be filled with anything
- no material removal = no compromise on strap durability

I hope the drawing is self-explanatory Just remember to remove tubes before this operation since you don't want them to get damage. Clamp it in vise and give it a couple of minutes to acquire new shape.

Hi Polonus
Thanks
this is a CLEVER and sure and reliable solution
Highly recommended
Thanks for the magnificent drawn.

The PCTeam is working !! LOL

ALE

Did you draw this Ale? You've got waaaay too much time on your hands! Nice job.

The idea and the merit are yours frig

The draw gets just ten minutes in Photoshop!!
Thanks for share the idea

As said above:

The PCTeam is working !!!

Thanks again
ALE

 

[mysterio]

This is one of those instances you need to tap strapmakers, hence the need for seats in the PCT. For example, won't the leather spring back to its regular thickness even after being clamped in a vise? Will this work for all types of leather, given their varied properties?

 

[ALE7575]

This is one of those instances you need to tap strapmakers, hence the need for seats in the PCT. For example, won't the leather spring back to its regular thickness even after being clamped in a vise? Will this work for all types of leather, given their varied properties?

As you have surely read in the Thread for the TEAM introduction, we are considering seripusly the creation of a Sratp staff in the Team
We will see
ALE