cowgirlrae Report post Posted April 2, 2011 Hi all, My husband is working on a pair of chinks for himself. He is wondering on "best" ideas and options before he decides on a final design. His chinks will have 3 leg buckles (roller buckles already purchased). What is the favored way to attach the straps and buckles? He is planning on 3 conchos on a shield down the leg. Is it better to have the straps on the inside or the outside? Sewn, riveted or laced somehow? Any little tips would help him out. Pictures of the inside/attachments would be most appreciated. Thanks so much.... I hope he creates an account and displays what he is doing, he used to do LOTS of leather work and is just getting back into it. In the works, chinks, guitar strap, purse (for me!) and maybe spur leathers (for me!).... and more . I'm a lucky girl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deb59 Report post Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) On the chaps I have made and from videos & patternsI have seen have the straps attached to the leg shield with conchos, and the buckle attached to the piece that goes around under the thigh. Make sure the piece that comes around under the thigh is long enough, so that the buckles are on the outside of the leg. This makes it easy to get buckled, and you would not be sitting on any buckles when you ride - (Also the ends of the straps that pass through the buckle will lie down under your leg and not stick up) I personally like to use slotted conchos and attach the leather strap with bleed knots. This makes it easy to change out straps. Screwbacks work OK, however I would put some loctite on the screws so they don't loosen easy - Mark Barcus - Cow Camp Saddlery has a great video out on making chaps. He can be found on this website. I hope your husband post's pictures when he gets them done! - Deb Edited April 2, 2011 by Deb59 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tkleather1 Report post Posted April 2, 2011 I do mine just the opposite. I put the buckles on the Side panels and the straps on the inseam. I find that then you are for sure not going to be sitting on the buckles at any time. Just my opinions and I know a lot of people do them so the straps are attached to the side panel and I am probably the minority here. Tim Worley TK-Leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deb59 Report post Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) I do mine just the opposite. I put the buckles on the Side panels and the straps on the inseam. I find that then you are for sure not going to be sitting on the buckles at any time. Just my opinions and I know a lot of people do them so the straps are attached to the side panel and I am probably the minority here. Tim Worley TK-Leather I have also made 2 pair like you do Tim, as a special request and debated advantages of one over the other, but keep going back to what I was used to. Might have to try a few more with the straps & buckles reversed and see what my customers have to say! Edited April 2, 2011 by Deb59 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkB Report post Posted April 3, 2011 Hi I have used them both ways and made them both ways. I will say this that I have not ever had a problem with sitting on the buckles at all. I have not just made and used them for weekend riding but have cowboyed all day in them. I do not think that there is a right way or a wrong way to do this But I am not sure. I do believe that you have to take good measurements and make them fit right no matter how you do the buckles. To me most that have trouble with the buckles have a fitting problem more that anything. IMO Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superchute Report post Posted April 3, 2011 Im with Mark on geting the right size will keep one off the buckles. This is why some of the chinks off the rack ( premade ) ones tend to bite one's legs is there use in the straps to make up the leather beeing short under the leg. Russ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deb59 Report post Posted April 3, 2011 One of the best things you can do is get one of Mark's videos, he shows a lot of details and measuring explaining everything along the way. It is money well spent from someone who knows what they are talking about, and uses what he makes in every day work. Has helped me a lot on my chap making! - Deb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkB Report post Posted April 4, 2011 Deb Thanks for the kind words on the DVD. I am not saying that I do it right but I have had no problems with how I do them. I have spent many hours testing my pattern for sure and have learned much about how to measure and apply them to fitting the chinks. I will say that it is an on going learning process for sure. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tkleather1 Report post Posted April 4, 2011 I agree mark, there is no right or wrong way, and as far as sitting on the buckles I have never had that problem either its just the way I was taught to do them and the reasoning made sense so that is how I continue to do them. There are a million ways to do things and some work better for certain people. Tim TK-Leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkB Report post Posted April 4, 2011 Tim Well said I would have to agree. I wish I would have had some one show me some about making them I just seen pictures and made them then when they did not fit right I tried it a different way till I got what I make now. it sure was the long way to learn LOL. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
