First Project! I Want It To Be A Watch Strap.

[Smileyboy]

Hello all, I'm new here. I love leather goods and I'm interested in learning how to make my own items.

I'm looking to make a watch strap like this

I'm also looking for kit I can buy to start off, where to buy leather etc. I'm excited. This will be my first project.

Thanks.

[Tree Reaper]

Get the Springfield Leather catalog, lots of looking in there.

[TXAG]

PM sent to smileyboy re: springfield leather.

[Smileyboy]

Get the Springfield Leather catalog, lots of looking in there.

Thanks! What are some must have tools to make the watch band?

[Tree Reaper]

You'll need the leather,buckle and stitching.

The leather has to be thin enough to match you watch.

You need a a knife, I would suggest an exacto so you can change the blades out and eliminate sharpening.

You need a small punch to match the pin in the buckle.

An awl and ruler to mark and make your stitching holes.

Needles and thread.

Some dye to finish it and a sealer to seal the finish.

That's pretty basic but will get the job done.

Let me know if you have more money to spend, there's always something else to make the job easier.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Tree Reaper

[Highlands858]

Question regarding watch straps: Where can I buy one of those small metal tubes that fits inside the band on the attachment side? You can see the hole it would fit into on the right side of this band:

Edited December 24, 2013 by Highlands858

[Northmount]

Question regarding watch straps: Where can I buy one of those small metal tubes that fits inside the band on the attachment side? You can see the hole it would fit into on the right side of this band:

If you are talking about the watch strap or band pins, Jewellers, watch repair shops, jewellery/watch counter at Walmart or other stores.

Tom

[ramrod]

Question regarding watch straps: Where can I buy one of those small metal tubes that fits inside the band on the attachment side? You can see the hole it would fit into on the right side of this band:

there is a great website for this kind of stuff. it's esslinger.com .

[J Hayes]

AKA spring bar, measured typically in mm between lugs.

Some commercial bands will have a piece of vinyl type tube in them for thr spring bar to pass through, some even have a ss tube in them. Make the band a good snug fit between the case lugs, a sloppy fit can sometimes cause the spring bar to come out easily.

Good luck, but most importantly have fun.

Edited December 25, 2013 by J Hayes