Removing the Slider from a Todd's Strap

[theinterchange]

I'm wanting to switch out the slider on my Todd's strap but there isn't a Chicago screw, just some sort of snap. I've tried pulling it apart with a little force but am afraid to damage the strap.

Anyone have experience switching the sliders on a Todd's?

Randy

[gwyddion]

It's not a snap but some kind of rivet. You could try to drill it out, but you have to be carefull: the drill might slip.

Regards, Geert

[TheExit148]

Yup, drilling is more or less the only way (even google says so ) Thats what I had to do to get mine off to swap it for an AB. Just be careful, like gwyddion says, the drill can slip, mine did a little and carved a nice line into the strap. Good thing is its covered by the strap itself and its facing your chest

[Indiana Jeff]

Put a few layers of masking tape on the strap around the rivet. Then, if the drill bit slips there's less chance you'll nick the leather. The key is to go slow. Real slow. Slower than that...

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[ravencrow]

if you can get a par of needle nose pliers you can jimmy the rivet and brake it i do it all the time

[theinterchange]

I have access to tape, pliers, drills, the whole bit. My dad has a ton of tools, so why buy your own when you can walk into the garage and get most anything you need?!

Randy

[ravencrow]

i would but i never had a dad, now i am one, go figure

[matt black]

Hey Ravencrow. Use a centre punch on the middle of the rivet first. Then use a nice sharp drill bit. With a centre punch dimple a drill will not slip.

[Mountaineer]

Before drilling, use a center punch.

You want to lightly tap the center punch with a hammer and create a small dent on the head of the rivet.

This indentation will "hold" the drill bit as you start it spinning.

Go slow, so as to not heat/burn the leather with the heat generated by drilling and you should be fine.

Matt, just saw you said the same...

[matt black]

Yeah. but you said it better

[Mountaineer]

Yeah. but you said it better

LOL. Thanks.

I'm in the process of doing this very thing, so it's up front on my brain.
Except I'm using a Texas Action Gear buckle.

[theinterchange]

Yeah. but you said it better

LOL. Thanks.

I'm in the process of doing this very thing, so it's up front on my brain.
Except I'm using a Texas Action Gear buckle.

I was thinking of buying one of those buckles

Randy

[Mountaineer]

Yeah. but you said it better

LOL. Thanks.

I'm in the process of doing this very thing, so it's up front on my brain.
Except I'm using a Texas Action Gear buckle.

I was thinking of buying one of those buckles

Randy

Well, it's a buckle; it's got more rounded edges whereas the original on Todd's are squared off.
It fits the width of Todd's strap nicely.

I got it in the mail and then the sinking feeling of "Crud, I bet there is only one screw one the strap and the other is a rivet" hit me. No problem, time to modify...

[Cammer]

Guys... you don't have to drill out the rivet. You are over thinking it. Just use a pair of wire cutter pliers and snip it off. It's not difficult. Slip the sharp edges of the wire cutter under the rivet head and squeeze. It takes about 5 seconds to remove one of those rivets. I did the same thing to my Todd's strap. Easy stuff.

[Mountaineer]

Just giving the guy options, along with information he needs so he doesn't booger it up and ruin his stuff if he does decide to drill.

Wire cutters are just as acceptable an option.

[Wade Egan]

I use the same utility cutters on rivets that I do on leather. You just need to get under the cap with the edge of the cutter and squeeze. Or go between the folded leather and cut the middle of the rivet post. The rivet will cut clean off and you can then pull the post out with no damage to the strap leather on the visible side. If you scrap the leather at all with anything, just use a sharpie on the scratch and wipe it quickly with your finger to dull.

I do this all the time with rivets. Easy as pie.


W.E.

[theinterchange]

I thought of wire cutters but wanted to see if someone had a better idea. And in reality, I feel this thread's making me out to look like a moron!

Randy

[Mountaineer]

I thought of wire cutters but wanted to see if someone had a better idea. And in reality, I feel this thread's making me out to look like a moron!

Randy

Don't feel that way; there are just that many opinionated people in Club Obi Wan.

Pretty much no matter what you think on any related subject, there's going to be at least one opposing viewpoint from someone.

Just roll with the punches.

[theinterchange]

Well, I was slightly exaggerating.

[gwyddion]

Talking about feeling like a moron: D-OH!! Wire cutters! Offcourse! Must have been al that time I spent at my dad's car-repairshop the past week that kept me from thinking straight and suggest the drilling That's what you get for helping your dad out with some body-work

Regards, Geert

[theinterchange]

I couldn't find the wire cutters, so opted for tin snips instead. Worked great with no real "damage" to the strap. I got a kick out of the stock buckle. It's about as wonky looking as can be when you see it alone. I'll take a pic for reference.



All "straight" lines slant to one side, and one side of the buckle is wider than the other both directions.
Randy

[RCSignals]

What are those marks all over the buckle? From the jaws of a vice?

How did the blade of the tin snips fair?

[theinterchange]

Those marks are over-zealousness on my part. I was distressing the strap and ran the buckle across concrete. Thus my desire to change out buckles!

Randy