How difficult is it to convert a leather belt into a watch strap?

[merkur]

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[Fishball]

Not diffcult at all if you know how.

 

[Bracemaker]

Originally Posted by merkur

So, I sometimes see old belts that are either too small or too damaged in parts to buy for use as a belt but how difficult would it be it to convert a leather belt into a watch strap? Especially for say a belt in an exotic leather eg ostrich?

If you have very thick wrists, a very narrow waist and a very large watch then it would be fairly easy. Otherwise I agree with the previous poster, if you have the kit and the skill...

 

[merkur]

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[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by merkur

Would it be expensive to pay say a leathersmith/shoesmith/belt repair dude to recut it to size for me?

I imagine it would be as much work as making a watch strap completely from scratch, so would probably cost as much....

 

[Bracemaker]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

I imagine it would be as much work as making a watch strap completely from scratch, so would probably cost as much....

Saving - cost of leather front (back would still need lining) say 5 dollars max (probably less).
Extra cost of cutting down belt, skiving leather, gluing & sewing lining in, finding suitable buckle, making layband/keeper etc etc for a one off watch strap - minimum cost an arm and a leg...
I think it would be a tad on the expensive side.

 

[merkur]

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[Bracemaker]

Originally Posted by merkur

Thanks. Is it difficult to teach oneself leather tooling skills and is it expensive to buy the tools?

A 3 year course at Cordwainers ought to cover it, plus a skiving machine
http://www.sewingmachinery.com/used/...her_tools.html
Probably need a splitter, an industrial lockstitch machine, a clicking press, a gluing machine, and a folding machine as well.

 

[merkur]

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