Club Obi Wan

Can anybody give me some tips on making a MKVII strap? I've got the rings I need to use to attach it to my close-enough-for-Kodiak bag, but I need to buy a decent plain leather strap and some Chicago screws. I was thinking about using a saddle strap (girth) for the strap, but I don't know where to find the screws. Does anybody have any info that could help me?

Thanks,
-Kodiak

You can get the Chicago screws over here in Madison at Kernans Hardware on Main Street. Just go in and ask them to show you the chicago screws and they will show you. There are all different sizes.

Indiana wrote:You can get the Chicago screws over here in Madison at Kernans Hardware on Main Street. Just go in and ask them to show you the chicago screws and they will show you. There are all different sizes.

Thanks. I'll have to look into that when I get back from SC.

I have made a couple straps.
If you have a Tandy Leather store nearby they have everything you will need.

I bought a 72” leather strap. Dyed it chocolate brown. Sealed it with Tandy leather sealer, satin finish. Bought a leather punch and Chicago screws.

The whole thing cost about $20.00 total.
Be careful about dying the underside of the leather strap. The die can rub off onto your clothes.

It’s really pretty easy. Watch out for the leather dye, if you get some on your hands it will be there for quite a while.

Regards,
Forrestal

Thanks for the tips. I think I'm going to buy a MkVII that comes with a cheaper strap (by the way, which one is better: Todds or WPG?) and then make a better quality strap on my own time using the purchased one as a guide.

Thanks,
-Kodiak

They are exactly the same last time I checked.

(ie they are made by the same person)

Forrest_Bell wrote:They are exactly the same last time I checked.

(ie they are made by the same person)

Oh... Thanks. But for the record, I meant the bag not the strap... and do any vendors still offer vintage MkVIIs other than WPG, if they even still have them?

Thanks,
-Kodiak

Hey no problem, but also for the record I was talking about the bag as well, however the strap on those are pretty bad, mine was usable but i never thought it looked right.

Yep, Todd uses WPG bags. The strap is pretty bad. Cheap leather. I bought one when he first started making them and got the orange color leather strap. Orange! It is like the color was painted on.

I made my 1st strap out of a dark soft leather dog leash and the buckle from the matching collar.
Actually looked pretty good.

-Rabittooth

Rab is back!