<![CDATA[TZ-UK Forums - Leather, Rubber & Nylon]]> http://forum.tz-uk.com/ Straps only on here please en Sat, 18 May 2013 23:25:07 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forum.tz-uk.com/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[TZ-UK Forums - Leather, Rubber & Nylon]]> http://forum.tz-uk.com/ Another recently completed strap http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263219-Another-recently-completed-strap&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 15:06:00 GMT went out yesterday for TC's Fiddy:



]]> timesofplenty http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263219-Another-recently-completed-strap Shortening a Rubber Strap Help http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263160-Shortening-a-Rubber-Strap-Help&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 20:41:38 GMT What's the best way to shorten a rubber strap it's made for a dive suit so extra long on the punched hole side with plenty of tail, i want a neat job do i go at it with a stanley knife or is there another way. it's a bit like a ProII but longer. ]]> Fords http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263160-Shortening-a-Rubber-Strap-Help Strap + Deployment combo suggestions http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263122-Strap-Deployment-combo-suggestions&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 15:19:22 GMT Currently my PRS 25 Everest has its bracelet, a brown Di Modell Jumbo and a Havana Toshi. I would like to find a good quality 22 mm strap with... Currently my PRS 25 Everest has its bracelet, a brown Di Modell Jumbo and a Havana Toshi.
I would like to find a good quality 22 mm strap with unbranded deployment (polished) to complete the set... Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! ]]> carvass http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263122-Strap-Deployment-combo-suggestions First strap build http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263031-First-strap-build&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 17:54:12 GMT Firstly, I just want to say thanks to Mike for sharing some of the trade secrets and his (obvious) extensive knowledge of all things leather. ... Firstly, I just want to say thanks to Mike for sharing some of the trade secrets and his (obvious) extensive knowledge of all things leather.

Unfortunately, I missed out on the self-build kits that Mike prepared, but his posts have been easy to follow and comprehensive. I great a deal of satisfaction having a go at a new project and creating something that's unique.

So, off to eBay and Amazon I went and the majority of bits turned up yesterday and today.

And these are the result of my first (and definitely won't be my last) new strap:









I thought that a NATO would be a good starter - I've been after something nice and soft for a while, plus it's fairly easy to deconstruct a cheap one to rob for parts and to copy the measurements.

The stitching's not as straight as I'd like, but you can only see one row when it's on. I'm sure my hole punching skills will improve with practice. I've only punched one hole for the buckle - no one else will be wearing it!

All in all, I spent about £40 on bits & pieces, but that should do for a good few straps. ]]> ed335d http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263031-First-strap-build New Cordovan Toshi http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263016-New-Cordovan-Toshi&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 16:45:21 GMT My first ever Toshi strap and I'm dead chuffed, fits the Sinn butterfly clasp beautifully. Thanks Rich.

]]> thebuffoon http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?263016-New-Cordovan-Toshi New custom Banda Croc for the Dornbluth... http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262835-New-custom-Banda-Croc-for-the-Dornbluth&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 22:03:59 GMT Just over two weeks ago I placed an order with Frankie at Banda for a custom croc for my Dornbluth, today this arrived! Image:... Just over two weeks ago I placed an order with Frankie at Banda for a custom croc for my Dornbluth, today this arrived!





Chocolate matt crocodile with blue stitching and a blue lining. The strap is lovely and soft and took no time at all to break in and mould to my wrist. Great communications and very speedy delivery despite a conservative estimate on time!

I am very pleased with it and can see myself ordering another at some point! I have Alligator incoming expected from Peter at watchacc in a couple of weeks - looking forward to that also!

Well worth a try, ordering the custom strap was a very simple process: http://www.banda.com/?PG=TMW

At first I thought I might have overdone the blue (!), but caught in the right light it matches the blued steel hands perfectly - not quite caught in this pic, but hopefully you can see where my thought process was coming from!



Cheers,

Rob ]]> AIDM http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262835-New-custom-Banda-Croc-for-the-Dornbluth 2 part nato strap? where to get one http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262788-2-part-nato-strap-where-to-get-one&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 15:26:18 GMT okay the title might seem strange so let me explain! just got a speedmaster with display back and want to put it on a nato whilst keeping the display... okay the title might seem strange so let me explain! just got a speedmaster with display back and want to put it on a nato whilst keeping the display back visible.20mm in black or green preferred.does anyone make these? seem to remember people suggesting maratec or rhino before but I like the thinness of a standard nato and the loop you put into it when done up.any help? ]]> amcneill http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262788-2-part-nato-strap-where-to-get-one Pie Pan Connie strap http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262752-Pie-Pan-Connie-strap&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 10:44:01 GMT I am looking for a new strap for this beauty I received yesterday. I think black exotic skin might fit best. I slightly prefer lizard (Hirsch) over... I am looking for a new strap for this beauty I received yesterday. I think black exotic skin might fit best. I slightly prefer lizard (Hirsch) over alligator (Hirsch Regent) but would like a slightly bigger grain than the Hirsch Lizard.
Or maybe a Shell Cordovan, looks great on my Nomos.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368528240.028332.jpg
Attached Images
]]> Bender http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262752-Pie-Pan-Connie-strap Charity strap build: My first strap http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262714-Charity-strap-build-My-first-strap&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 21:39:26 GMT So not to be outdone by the fine work of Preachercain, below are photos of my first strap.

Now I may have jumped a lesson, but I've never got on with Nato's. Made from 7oz Veg tan, soaked twice in strong coffee and rubbed / worked with Neatsfoot oil 4 times. The 'feathering in' of the ends to reduce the thickness when looped was... a trial.

I was aiming for a dark tan strap for my Sparrowhawk (yes I just sold it... bad planning) and I'm very happy with the result.



]]> damocook http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262714-Charity-strap-build-My-first-strap My first DB10 strap http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262653-My-first-DB10-strap&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 15:26:15 GMT Just received my first strap from James, and I'm so happy with it I thought it was definitely worth a quick thread here.

Recently purchased a Speedsonic from Tom (dickstar1977) and pretty much knew straight away the strap I wanted for it. Went through the usual companies offerings, but there was nothing 'off the shelf' that really did it for me. So after a few emails to James and a bit of waiting I finally got my hands on one of his lovely DB10 Rally bands.

Apologies as always for the crap pics.








Thanks again James.



Tris ]]> trisdg http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262653-My-first-DB10-strap PRS20 on a DB10 http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262469-PRS20-on-a-DB10&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 20:38:06 GMT Got my first DB10 through the post today - nice to have an alternative to my usual suspects! Really nicely made and looks well on the 20 I think... ... Got my first DB10 through the post today - nice to have an alternative to my usual suspects! Really nicely made and looks well on the 20 I think...





]]> Dai Capp http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262469-PRS20-on-a-DB10 Charity strap build: first stab and Mk II http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262411-Charity-strap-build-first-stab-and-Mk-II&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 13:33:25 GMT Head-above-parapet time: here it is - the first (I think) of the TZ-uk strap build efforts! I've made a small NATO from the calf leather, with a piece of suede stitched in as the "backing" for the watch head. Unfortunately I cut it a little short so it's not really ideal for my wrist, but it should suit Mrs Cain well...!

Mike's instructions were a breeze to follow, stitching is easy as long as you cut enough thread (don't ask how I know this!) and the only other issue I had was making a total dog's cock of punching the buckle holes. They are, I believe, meant to be in a straight line down the middle of the strap. :neglected:

Anyway: I didn't do anything to the suede but I oiled the calf leather lightly with olive oil. It's come up lovely!





]]> PreacherCain http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262411-Charity-strap-build-first-stab-and-Mk-II <![CDATA[My new Steveo's Strap]]> http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262268-My-new-Steveo-s-Strap&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 13:51:12 GMT Hi all,

This arrived in the post today & I thought I'd show it off, simple but stylish I reckon.

Great communication from Steveo, speedy service & a quality product at a very good price.

Now I know this is a dive watch on a leather strap... but I like the combo... always have.





And a wrist shot.

]]> damocook http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262268-My-new-Steveo-s-Strap PVD buckle for Time Factors retro http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262105-PVD-buckle-for-Time-Factors-retro&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 09:55:29 GMT Recently purchased a Time Factors retro rubber strap, and was wondering if anyone knew where to get a similar buckle, but in a PVD finish? Recently purchased a Time Factors retro rubber strap, and was wondering if anyone knew where to get a similar buckle, but in a PVD finish? ]]> Unlight http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262105-PVD-buckle-for-Time-Factors-retro Vinegaroon - home-made black leather colouring http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262093-Vinegaroon-home-made-black-leather-colouring&goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 08:13:28 GMT As a participant/victim in the charity strap build, I've been on a crash leather working theory course courtesy of Mike (kungfugerbil). As I build up my courage to actually try and make something after absorbing Sensei Gerbil's wisdom I thought I'd share some research and practical experience in making an ancient leather colouring.

Vinegaroon (or Vinegar Black, or Ferric Acetate, or Iron (III) Acetate, take your pick) is a clear, brownish solution which reacts with the tannins in naturally tanned leather to form black and grey coloured compounds. It's not a dye as such in that it contains no pigments - the colour is permanent and runs right through the full thickness of the leather.

I had a stab at making a batch last night: below is my recipe and results, along with a few other bits which people might find interesting or useful. The basic recipe is all over the Internet: iron metal dissolved in vinegar.

1) I started with a fine steel wool pad (Robert Dyas) and a 350ml bottle of the strongest vinegar I could find (Tesco white wine vinegar, 6% acidity).

2) I shredded about half the steel wool into inch-long tufts and put it in a jar. Some Internet posts suggest rusting the metal first: I disagree - the iron needs to be as free as possible to react with the vinegar and rust is not soluble in water so will protect the underlying metal from the acid to some degree.

3) I added the vinegar and then decided to jazz things up a bit. Again, Internet wisdom will tell you it takes anything from 3 days to 3 months to make effective vinegaroon...

4) There are two ways to speed up chemical reactions which I dimly recall from school: raise the temperature or add a catalyst. I did both.

5) I used hot tap water and boiling water from the kettle to fill the kitchen sink to a sensible depth with water at 70-ish degrees C. Thankyou Heston Blumenthal: I finally found a use for your kitchen thermometer. I then stood the jar in the water bath and loosened the lid (important: the solution gives off gas - hydrogen, I'm guessing - as it develops, and you don't want the jar breaking as pressure builds up).

6) After 4 hours I had an idea for a catalyst (well, strictly speaking I suppose it's an additional reagent, not a catalyst. Let's just say I'm using the term loosely, yes? :shame:). The compound I'm trying to make has a lot of oxygen in it: I could add this by bunging in some hydrogen peroxide. I used a 3% peroxide solution which disinfects my contact lenses as its day job. I added about 75ml to the jar, which provoked an immediate and vigorous fizzing. I gave the whole soupy mess a stir, reheated the water bath and went to bed.

7) 8 hours later, I had a jar of greenish-brown, clear liquid with some gunge on the bottom and some steel wool floating on top. Quite a strong vinegar smell so I think there's some way to go before all the acid is used up. I've reheated the water bath again and will check back when I get home tonight.

8) I couldn't resist the opportunity to test it though! I dipped an off cut of the lighter veg tan hide Mike supplied: colour change was near enough instant - it went a lovely deep greyish black - see photo. The leather is still damp from being rinsed but is otherwise untreated... Forgive the iPhone pic:



There you go: effective, homemade vinegaroon, in 12 hours' reacting time. Hope this is useful to someone out there!

TLDR: I made some leather turn black. :beguiled: ]]> PreacherCain http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?262093-Vinegaroon-home-made-black-leather-colouring