Adventures in strap making

Duracuir1 · Dec 24, 2019

Couple of old style straps.

Syrte · Dec 24, 2019

Duracuir1
Someone very nicely set up this thread to allow me to show my hobby. (Thank you!). Here’s a few more shots, including

a before and after of the snake skin purse. Now I need more watches for all these straps!

Lots of nice straps here and I’m a great fan of home made straps with vintage leather, but that was a nice purse... really a pity IMHO.

jtrower1 · Dec 24, 2019

Duracuir1

@Duracuir1 that strap made from the baseball glove is amazing!!!

2 of my favorite hobbies brought together. Thank you for sharing your creations.

Duracuir1 · Dec 24, 2019

jtrower1
@Duracuir1 that strap made from the baseball glove is amazing!!!

2 of my favorite hobbies brought together. Thank you for sharing your creations.

Thank you! I have used it quite a bit. The glove was likely 50 plus years old, so the strap is holding up because of the quality of the leather.

DaveK · Dec 24, 2019

So, a thrift shop is having a 50% off sale, and I picked up this old bomber jacket for $10 (shown mid-way through removal of the lining and trim). Different patina all over, very cool. My plan was to give it a try and make some straps, so thanks for the inspiration. I assumed that the jacket leather will be thick enough for straps. @Duracuir1 , have you ever used jacket leather? Otherwise, I’ll end up making some leather pocket watch thongs and unneeded watch rolls, which would be fun too

Duracuir1 · Dec 24, 2019

DaveK
So, a thrift shop is having a 50% off sale, and I picked up this old bomber jacket for $10 (shown mid-way through removal of the lining and trim). Different patina all over, very cool. My plan was to give it a try and make some straps, so thanks for the inspiration. I assumed that the jacket leather will be thick enough for straps. @Duracuir1 , have you ever used jacket leather? Otherwise, I’ll end up making some leather pocket watch thongs and unneeded watch rolls, which would be fun too

Go for it! Use double or triple layer. You can likely buy leather glue on line or at your shoe repair shop!

DaveK · Dec 24, 2019

Duracuir1
Go for it! Use double or triple layer. You can likely buy leather glue on line or at your shoe repair shop!

Cool! Now I just need enough rainy weather to keep me inside doing crafts 😀

Professor · Dec 26, 2019

If the leather is too thin you can buy a piece of split coehide and glue the jacket leather to it front and back. Regular rubber cement should do the trick if you plan to stitch it along the borders.
Very old leather jackets, up though the 60's, often are made from fairly thick leather, they were made to last.

Duracuir1 · Dec 26, 2019

Great advice. I buy entire hides, double shoulders or sides from Tandy. Because at times I make other items. I just finished this bag, again for my jeweller. Believe me, I get more from him than he does from me!

Peter_from_NL · Dec 26, 2019

Great thread full of inspiration. Proofs again what a super forum this is.

bubu16 · Dec 26, 2019

I am a bit handy and creative but won't even come a mile close to you bro!! Great and amazing work!

Duracuir1 · Dec 26, 2019

Finished this one today for my latest watch. (Watch is in for some work). 20 mm.

Duracuir1 · Dec 29, 2019

Have you ever seen a $4 shell cordovan strap??My jeweller brought up more old boxes from storage. One box was full of old straps. Most were very thin and of poor quality. Anything plastic or corfam just broke apart. Some of the leather ones that I tried split when I inserted pins. I managed to fill two shoeboxes and will use them for inspiration. A few look usable (see picture). The Constellation was in the box. It had been left for a replacement bracelet (40 plus years ago) and abandoned. It works fine and I am the new owner. And yes, those are $4 Shell Cordovan straps that look ready to use!

rob#1 · Dec 29, 2019

Nice score with the Constellation 👍

Syrte · Dec 29, 2019

Fantastic find!

Duracuir1 · Jan 5, 2020

Working on one piece strap for older 16mm lug watches. Measurements compliments of #JWRosenthal. The one next to the measurements is the original. I still need to stitch and trim my prototype (on the anvil). If all goes well I will make more.

Mac5 · Jan 5, 2020

I really, really like the use of the old baseball glove. You don't get much tougher or durable than that!

DaveK · Jan 5, 2020

@Duracuir1, I’ve been building my shopping list for tools and supplies, and have a few questions if you’d entertain them.

- By way of glue, what’s your favourite, I see you use what looks to be standard rubber cement. Do you have an opinion on Ecoweld glue? It was recommended as a better smelling alternative
- For the pricking iron, is there a size or spacing between the tines that I’d need to look for? Sinabroks brand was recommended to me (expensive, but I’d just have to buy it once), what brand would you recommend?

Thanks in advance

Duracuir1 · Jan 5, 2020

Hi Dave. I tried the Eco glue and did not like it. I have a decent mask for the fumes. I buy the small tubes of barge cement. I bought my chisels at Tandy leather factory. Go to their website and check out their selection. They have worked well for me. On vintage straps I use the 2.5 mm chisels. I just got one this week that has ten prongs. It makes a nice straight stitch. Get a single and a double also for curves. They have a great selection of leather too.

DaveK · Jan 5, 2020

Duracuir1
Hi Dave. I tried the Eco glue and did not like it. I have a decent mask for the fumes. I buy the small tubes of barge cement. I bought my chisels at Tandy leather factory. Go to their website and check out their selection. They have worked well for me. On vintage straps I use the 2.5 mm chisels. I just got one this week that has ten prongs. It makes a nice straight stitch. Get a single and a double also for curves. They have a great selection of leather too.

Thank you, much appreciated!