Physher007 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 I decided I wanted an ammo pouch watch strap, but I don't care for the ones available commercially - and they're pricey So, inspired by the posts of others I decided to make my own. I started with buying these off Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...p;rd=1&rd=1 10 bucks, not bad. The over all condition of the pouches is good, the stitching on the pouches was in amazingly good shape (considering the age) Here's pouch I used back view. I especially liked this pouch because of the embossing, it is important to me to preserve the embossing I set out pulling the stitching so that I could determine how much workable leather is there Just in case you don't know how to use a stitch puller, you just run the point between the leather and the stich, as so. I soaked the leather pieces in a large bowl of water in order to help loosen it up. The leather is 50 years old and stiff, but it was more workeable after soaking. It also helped to eliminate some of the odor and dust I wrapped the leather with a rubber band to help work it out The leather is quite thick so I decided not to laminate it, this would also eliminate the need for stitching, which I prefer in this instance. It also made it very difficult to fold the leather in half. In order to facilitate the folding, I used three pieces of wood and some deck screws I then cut the leather to the appropriate size, uzing the rep strap as a guide. I used gorilla glue to laminate the fold for the lugs. I then picked up some rivets from the crafts store that had stars on them, I dig em Rather than use a buckle, I used a post and a hole. I really like the look of it. I took the last bit of embossed leather and made a stay with it. Keeping with the no-sew theme, I used copper wire to make some staples. Seen above I also had to thin the leather out quite a bit in order to get it in the lugs because of the thickness. Well here it is -All and all I am very pleased with the way the strap turned out and it wasn't difficult at all. -Physher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve G Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Great job and very unique...well done I say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Thanks steve, unique was what I was shooting for. Its interesting also because Fischer is my family name... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yt74 Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 That is the coolest thing I have seen in quite a while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks guys! I tell ya vt, it wasn't much work at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 wow that just screams bad mother[censored]er! I LIKE how did you do that wire stitching? and does the post and hole 'buckle' hold up during the day? keep up the work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Very interesting stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff g Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 REALLY nice work. Inspiring is the right term. Finding the old leather was brilliant. Some of the current strap dealers offering the antique holster leather is really cool stuff, but way pricey. Congrats on some beautiful work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Its been more than a week now and its held up beautifully, I wore it to gym today and had no issues whatsoever. The leather has taken some time to loosen up but with constant wear it has as soft and maleable as any strap I've ever worn. For the copper stitching I punched holes on each side and then ran 3 cm of copper wire through. Then I just twisted and folded the wire down. The sharp points of the cut wire help to hold the stay in place so it won't slide around. Sorry if that's confusing, I really should of took pictures of that. Once I got going I didn't want to stop to take pics though There are constantly leather bits from WWII on ebay, ammo straps, pouches, belts, war ration envelopes. I was amazed at how much surplus can be had for a few bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 I had a hard time visualizing a strap from the initial shots of the pouches, but boy, the end result sure is terrific. Very unique, interesting, and well crafted to say the least! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Ahh, You're just saying that because I told you I'ld buy one of your silly lenses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Ahh, You're just saying that because I told you I'ld buy one of your silly lenses LOL. No but I'd trade you a few lenses for that strap.... Although it looks to be a 26mm, so maybe not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Ill make you one in 24mm if you'll be my friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Seriously though, I have a bunch of leather left and would be happy to make another. Though it wouldn't be embossed. And I don't have any more studs so it would have to accept a buckle I guess. But I gaurantee it would smell like your grandma's attic! Just like mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Oh yeah, and if anyone decides they want some of those star rivets just let me know - they only sell them in gross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce79 Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 great post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWATCH Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 Very cool strap. Embossing really makes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physher007 Posted May 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 For anyone interested... It has been two months of wear and the strap has broken in nicely. The leather is very flexible now and has lost most of the funky smell. The post and whole closure is holding up, though the hole has stretched out about 50% The copper stitching has a nice green patina (ala Statute of Liberty), that I think adds a cool touch The rivets are all in place and holding firm. All and all, I am very pleased with the way its performing. -P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver_dylan Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Out of F'ing sight! D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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