Leather Padding

[xlr8tn]

Hello All --

In my hobby of watch strap making, I have come across a few straps that have some sort of padding inside so that thinner leather pieces could be made to appear much thicker in size. Anyone know what type of material is used inside of watch straps? It appears to be some sort of grey foam.

Thanks,

Brent

[Jordan]

The cheaper ones have cardboard and then they step up to some type of foam rubber, closed cell so it don't get waterlogged at least this is what I have found on the one's I have reverse engineered. Some belts also have the rubber inserts or a type of rubberized webbing. The expensive ones probably use a leather welt skived to shape, at least that is what I would do if I wanted a fatter rounder look.

[xlr8tn]

Where can I find foam rubber padding? Are you saddle makers using this? I tried the cheap foam sheets from the craft store, however, when attempting to skive, it tended to tear quite easily. I need something that can be shaped.

-brent

[electrathon]

Skive the foam with a dremel and a sanding drum tip.

[UKRay]

Where can I find foam rubber padding? Are you saddle makers using this? I tried the cheap foam sheets from the craft store, however, when attempting to skive, it tended to tear quite easily. I need something that can be shaped.

-brent

If you visit your local camping store you can almost certainly pick up an inexpensive sleeping mat that will yield more watch strap padding material that you will ever need. I believe the foam is closed cell and, as Jordan says, water resistant. A cheaper alternative is the same sort of mat but smaller - made for sitting rather than lying full length. In the UK they are just a few pounds - I make that a fair bit less than $10. I have used this mat foam for a number of different jobs and it seems to work very well - depending on the make and thickness you may want to try sanding rather than cutting to skive an edge. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Ray

[xlr8tn]

Hey all,

So far I have tried pipe insulation and rubber weatherseal, with no good results. The grey pipe insulation is nice and cushiony, but very difficult to shape. I haven't yet tried to use the sander/dremel.

I just disected another watch strap to see what sort of padding was used in it's construction. Attached are a few pics of what I found. Any idea what this stuff is? It feels springy but also like felt. To create an outer ledge, this was constructed with 2 pieces and they were skived towards where the holes start for a gradual decrease in thickness.

-brent

[dbarleather]

Brent,

Looks like felt to me.

Might give this a shot.....good luck.

http://www.thefeltpeople.com/pages/colorcards/thickfelts.htm

[xlr8tn]

Thank you Daryl! I'll give them a call in the morning.

-brent

Edited July 11, 2008 by xlr8tn

[Corvus]

I read recently in a leather work book that sheeps wool is often used for padding. I'm wondering about similar things myself for adding a bit of padding to dog collars but need something that isn't going to get water logged so I'm interested to see what you come up with.

[Art]

I know it's is an oxymoron, but they have polyester felt now, this might be a bit more water resistant than the real (wool) thing. I know Weaver carries it.

Art