landm42006

Hello all. I am trying to make a strap similar in color to the one here: So I checked the Fiebing's site and concluded that the color dye I need to acheve this color was "Beige" So I ordered some, and it arrived today. I anxiously applyed the dye to veg tanned leather and ........................... the strap ended up the color of of a light brown or buckskin, as Fiebings color chart offers the color "Buckskin" So my question is: Could the have sent me some stale dye? What can I do? I really want to make a strap this color and wonder if there is another way of achieving this hue? Thanks, Marty

Thanks for all the excellent tips, especially "albane" who took the time to film his instruction. Thanks so much. I will implement these suggestions (hopefully this weekend) and will post the resluts later on. Again, thanks so much for all the instruction.

WOW! What took you twelve hours would have taken me twelve lifetimes! THat is nice. You have the gift of creativity. Very nice bag.

Oh learned ones, please help me. I make watch straps to subsidize my other hobbies. Plus, strap making is just darned fun and theraputic. UP UNTIL THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO PUNCH HOLES IN THE STRAP!!! Case in point, this strap: I did everything right, (IMHO) but then, the last detail, of punching the holes, I ended up a little off. And for a Marine, a little off means a failure!!! Please provide some ideas or jigs that will allow me to make perfectly aligned and spaced holes for my straps. The belt makers have to have something that they use to make sure alignment is perfect. Please help, I am sooo frustrated right now. Thanks, Marty

I am making watch straps as a hobby. When I finish my edges, or am roughing down a tapered strap, I use my belt sander. Filp it upside down, mount it to a board, and clamp the whole thing down on a table. Turn the belt sander on, and get to work.

Or try making a bund strap. BUt the effort you have already made is worth more than $15. A strap like this quoted at around $75 +, I believe.

Folks, What goes into makeing a rawhide mallet (resin and technique)? I was thinking about trying to make one, (cuz I am too cheap to buy one from Tandy), or is it cheaper and less hassle to just buy one. Or, is there a wooden equivalent to the rawhide? Thanks and S/F Marty

That strap honestly looks like it has been sanded in the areas that usually make a lot of contact (lug ends and keeper area). The edges have been unfinished or not edge coated or burnished. These straps are fun to make, and you really can't mess up. Make the strap the way you normally would and stitch. Then lightly sand the areas with some fine grit paper (120 or higher should do it). Wet the strap with some water, and with a fingernail brush and shaving cream, scrub that strap. Then rinse the strap off, let it air dry, and perform the process again or as many times as it takes to achieve the look you desire. Just my two cents. I make watch straps for myself, but am not into the vintage look. You can also go to ebay and find some old ammo pouches and use the leather for straps. The pic you used in the pic looks like a strap from a vendor know as "Gunny". Enjoy, and post pics of your project (and the watch you are putting it on please. Regards and S/F Marty

Sweet. Will give Michaels a visit this weekend. Regards and S/F Marty

Cool. Thanks for all the great ideas. I will attempt to "play" with the colors this weekend. I really love this hobby along with my other (watches) and perhaps I can get good at straps in order to buy more watches. Again, thanks for all the input, and will try some ideas this weekend. Regards and S/F, Marty

Hello all. I also have a question about how to dye a veg tanned leather this color as in the pic below: I checked Tandy, and the Fiebings dyes did not have a match for this strap in the picture. Any out there have an idea or guidance on how to achieve this color? Thanks and Semper Fi, Marty

Hello all. Well, I am attempting to step into the unknown (for me) and create padded watch straps, as illustrated in the picture attached. I believe that I am to use very thin leather to create the strap, but I am unsure as to what filler / padding is used to create that fullness. I have seen padded straps in watches, purse straps and other leather handles, but I am unsure of how to go about achieving this visual effect. In my previous attempts at making straps, it was pretty straightforward, and fun. Made the strap, burnished the edges and did my sewing. This padded strap looks like the edges are "rounded over". Anyone have any experience in constructing a strap such as this? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Regards and Semper Fi, Marty

How was this strap made? Or since this is an old thread, how does anyone think this was made. Looks to me like the leather was cased, and then formed around a filler strip of somekind. THoughts?

Thanks all for the advice. I really want to up my game so's I can afford the hobby and provide a product different from some of the others, as well as to feed my need. So far I have learned that: You don't use "all in one" dyes. I don't have a clue on how to use a preval sprayer, or how to properly apply acrylic resolene. I am making my straps from veg tanned leather I purchased from Tandy, and it has a long period of breaking in. Perhaps someone can tell me how to soften it. I will be trying the edging method described by hidepounder this weekend. I have one of those plastic Tandy burnishing wheels mounted in a drill press turning at about 1000 rpm. Will turn it up a notch and use some saddle soap on the edge of the strap before attempting to burnish. Will end up breaking something if I don't get the holes set up properly. I am using an oblong punch which compounds the problem, but will try the scribe method described above. Again, any and all advise will be greatly appreciated, and if I am doing something wrong, please advise. I would like to get my hands on a good burnisher, once I get the directions dials in for a good edge burnishing. (I sometimes wonder if I am using the right leather). Speaking of, I can recall that prior to getting a good spitshine on boots (back in the days when we used to spitshine, that is), a new pair of boots had to be stripped to get the kiwi to stick. Can the same be said of new leather purchased from the dealer? Is there anything on the leather that would prohibit even dye absorption or keep the edges from burnishing? Thanks again, oohhh rahhh, and sorry for all the noob questions. Hope to get some input soon.

Hello all. First time posting to this great site. I am a watch nut, and see that in my hobby there are a few strap makers out there, and to fund my hobby I desire to make watch straps. But I am a Marine, and want to always go above and beyond in anything I do, hence the questions. I have read the advise given by hidepounder regarding the burnishing of edges and hope I can attain the same results for my watch straps. My main difficulty is in making sure the holes are lined up properly in the long end of the strap. Are there any jigs out there that are available? Lastly, I have a burnishing wheel rigged to my drill press that I got from Tandy (heck, all my materials come from tandy). I have attempted to use gum trag with not much success. Perhaps my steps are wrong. 1. I cut the leather to size 2. I glue the straps up after skivving the ends for a flush fit 3. I dye the straps using an "all in one" type dye (dont like that too much either) 4. I attempt to punch my holes but doing it freehand does not leave an exact line of holes in the long side of the strap. 5. I burnish (attempt to). Are any of the steps out of order? Heck, I am a mess after reading this. Is there a proper step by step posting on how to make a strap? Again, I am glad to have found this site, and enjoy viewing the creations the members have made. Thanks, Marty