Club Obi Wan

On my new jacket I received D-rings and not the rectangular sliders that I had requested. I sent an email to wested to see if they could send me a pair of the correct sliders so that I could apply them myself. So far I haven't heard back. Is this something they would be willing to do? Has anyone attempted to take off D-rings and put on rectangular sliders? I looked in previous threads and found little on the subject (aside from where to buy them).
Any advice would be appreciated.
-GC

If you turn your d-rings around you see thet they are not welded. If you just pry them apart a little they will slip off the leather loop easily, same in reverse to install the sliders.

The sliders look like this:



Wested only have them in this colour, you might be able to find some in black locally. If you do let us know!

Kt Templar wrote:
Wested only have them in this colour, you might be able to find some in black locally. If you do let us know!

Could'nt you just spray them black with black car paint?,just a thought.

and you guys have done this sucessfully?
-GC

I changed mine out just as KT said. It was really easy.

I wonder if you specified exactly what type of hardware you wanted why Wested wouldn't send you a simple e-mail stating that they couldn't install them on your jacket? I've heard of this happening quite a bit. I would just seem to save them a good ammount of money for someone who would send the jacket back just to have them put on if it was an error and if it wasn't, I'd sure think an e-mail from them should be sent to let you know your order cannot be fulfilled to your wishes.

Agent5,
The question is will they send me a pair of the correct sliders? I mean, technically I didn't get what I paid for...even though all things concidered I am VERY happy with the jacket. They haven't emailed me back about it yet..and I expect that I will hear from them soon. I just wanted to know if that is something that they even do.
I really really don't want to send my jacket back to the UK. The mail in New Mexico lost my package twice when it was on its way here.

If they can't send them, I won't hold it against Wested. I love the company and will continue to purchase from them. I just want to know if I absolutely have to buy a pair myself.
-GC

I'm sure if you explained to Peter about it he'd send you a pair for free. He is good at correcting any mistakes made, I just think most of the ones I hear about regularly can be corrected BEFORE the jacket ships from Wested. I think Wested has a poor track record for custom jobs completed to specifications on the order forms, but they do have an amazing track record for their customer ( friendly) service and solving problems. Rarely have I heard they wouldn't correct a situation presented to them. They're great people but I just can't understand how so much of the small stuff gets by them.

If you do a search in the archives here, Dr.J found a place online that sells more accurate rectangular sliders than Wested offers. I wish Wested would just buy from this company and get them 100% correct.

They have done in the past. I don't believe it should pose any problem.

Peter, please put that box of D rings on a high shelf, people really, mostly want the retangles!!

Go to a gun shop and bluing for coloring revolvers or take a propane torch to them for a black appearance.

I vote for the gun rebluing suggestion. To much heat application can take the temper out of the metal if you're not careful.

Regards! Michaelson

Ask and Ye shall receive! I emailed Wested about obtaining some sliders, I was willing to pay for them and low and behold they showed up at my door today free of charge. Life long customer they just obtained! Thanks Peter and everyone at Wested!

I too, am a life long customer. I just wish they'd seriously start checking orders thoroughly before sending them out. Methinks that this will only save Wested the time, effort and money to do things like send you the sliders when they could have been put on your jacket at Wested. Granted, to ship your sliders it probably cost next to nothing but alot of members send back the whole jacket for things like that which could have been avoided before the jacket was first shipped.

One can only think it would be beneficial for them and will make alot more customers happy to get their jackets right the very first time instead of having to debate whether to send it back or not.

On a very positive note for Wested, Peter sent them free of charge to someone who claimed to have one of his jackets. Flightsuits won't even sell you a set because they are (I wish I could quote word for stupid word) afraid we will start marketing jackets of our own using their materials.

HOW DUMB IS THAT?!?!?! This coming from a company who makes replicas of Westeds.

Indiana Ripper wrote:Ask and Ye shall receive! I emailed Wested about obtaining some sliders, I was willing to pay for them and low and behold they showed up at my door today free of charge. Life long customer they just obtained! Thanks Peter and everyone at Wested!

Ripper, how long ago did they send you the sliders? What was the turnaround time from when you asked for them?
-GC

I actually bought the jacket from 6string, I dont even have it yet I just knew I wanted the sliders instead of the D rings. I used to have a TOD lambskin and didnt really like the D rings, just a preference I guess. I emailed them on the 25th of Oct. and I got them just yesterday.

But the question is: Did you get BLACK anodized sliders like they advertise on their website? No? Didn't think so. The only way to get those is to order them yourself and either send them to Wested along with your specs or to have it done yourself. At least until Peter buys a box. Here's the link to get them:

http://www.strapworks.com/Metal_Loops_p/ml.htm

You need 1" and have your choice of glossy black or flat black (which I recommend). I've ordered these and they look great.

By the way, sliders have a divider down the center. These are rectangular metal loops.

Regards, Dr. J

Um..... 8-[ no....I didnt...I didnt really care, I just like the look of the rectangel over the D ring....

Dr._J wrote:But the question is: Did you get BLACK anodized sliders like they advertise on their website? No? Didn't think so. The only way to get those is to order them yourself and either send them to Wested along with your specs or to have it done yourself. At least until Peter buys a box. Here's the link to get them:

http://www.strapworks.com/Metal_Loops_p/ml.htm

You need 1" and have your choice of glossy black or flat black (which I recommend). I've ordered these and they look great.

By the way, sliders have a divider down the center. These are rectangular metal loops.

Regards, Dr. J

The pic I posted are of actual Wested sliders so as you can see the correct size is just over 1 1/8th inches, the price on that site is way over trade, if you were to buy a box of 1000 it would cost $258 PLUS postage to the UK.

It's ok for a one to one purchase but not for trade. $35-40 dollars a box perhaps.

The size of the rectangular metal loops that you need to purchase is 1". This refers to the inside of the loop not the outside dimension. This is where the strap feeds through.

Obviously, Peter would/should source the correct hardware from someone in the business and not buy them piece-mail through a website (where a retail mark-up is figured in).

Ripper, I like the look of the rectangular loops better than D-Rings also. It would be nice if Wested could get the gunmetal or flat black ones though.

Regards, Dr. J

Ok, I have a question, I didnt think about it till I was looking at my sliders. Do you need two slideres per side, like the D Rings?, If so , I need two more.

Those rings look perfect!

But I might just get me some of those!!!

In Christ,
Shane

Yes, you need two total.

I don't need to buy 4?? Does it say they come in pairs?

In Christ,
Shane

My bad. I meant four.

Well I just orderd four flat black 1"ers. with shipping it's only $3.15

Cheers,
Jeff

That's great Jeff! Be sure to post pics when you're done!

Regards, Dr. J

Yeah, post pics!! I really have to get them. Tell me how long shipping is. I wonder if I can order them now and get them before the Queen Mary.

Maybe they'll just have them at a Home Depot???

In Christ,
Shane

They just might. They won't be black, but you can always paint them with Krylon Engine spray paint or something. Just hang them from a hook outside and spray them.

i just ordered a Wested with sliders and i told them to let me know if that will be a problem before making the jacket and they didnt say anything...i hope that means that they have them back in stock!

Dr._J wrote:That's great Jeff! Be sure to post pics when you're done!

Regards, Dr. J

I'll grab photos as soon as they arrive.

Cheers,
Jeff

Well, I got the sliders from wested today. But there is only three of them. The sent me three sliders!!!!! I must just have bad luck or something.
-GC

George Caplin wrote:Well, I got the sliders from wested today. But there is only three of them. The sent me three sliders!!!!! I must just have bad luck or something.
-GC

Are they falling out of the envelopes? Is Gemma having a laugh with you? Are customs having a laugh with you? These and many other will be answered on the next episode of.... Wested!

.....%@$#*!

Hey George, I PM'd ya but you didnt respond, I have two extra Wested sliders Ill give ya, for free. Just give me your address.

(Pssst. Hey, Ripper. Want to hear George scream? Mail him an empty envelope. We can watch what happens from under my Plymouth. What's that you said.....this mic is on!? errr.....never mind. 8-[ )

Regards! Michaelson

That would be fun.

Pass his address along, we'll send him envelopes from around the world.

C'mon guys... be nice. At least send him a D-ring!

I've got some of these sliders on order and they should be here by next week I think. Will post pics before/after the QM - may not have much time.

In Christ,
Shane

Ok....well, does anyone else need these sliders?? Im taking offers..my starting bid is free.....any takers?

Well I just received my mail today and lo & behold the sliders that I ordered Sunday night are here. They DO have a separation so one can open them up I was worried they may be one full piece. I will get photos up later on tonight/tomorrow.

Cheers,
Jeff

Jeff,

Are you going to put the loops on yourself? Please take pics of them on and off the jacket if possible!

Regards, Dr. J

Indiana Ripper wrote:Ok....well, does anyone else need these sliders?? Im taking offers..my starting bid is free.....any takers?

It must have been something you said, Rip.

Regards! Michaelson

Ha Ha! very funny....YOU CHEAT DR. Jones!

Thanks for the offer, but I emailed Gemma before I checked back here. She said that she had put SIX sliders in the envelope!!! I guess it's a bumpy ride to Las Cruces, New Mexico.
-GC

Im always the outcast..........naaa its cool, Ill keep them if anyone needs em.

Well I took these photos and sized them just about an hour ago. Enjoy.

Just opened...


Removed the old D ring


Protect the new slider with a wash cloth...


Pry one end open..carefully...


New sliders on jacket and closed the same way I opened them...


Jacket back in action!!!


The new sliders work perfectly. The straps do not come loose at all
In all it took me about 7 minutes to change out the sliders.
Big thanks to Dr. J for finding and posting the url

Cheers,
Jeff

The new sliders work perfectly. The straps do not come loose at all
In all it took me about 7 minutes to change out the sliders.

LOL! Yes. When I asked FS if I could buy some sliders to change them out on my jacket as I'd done before, they said I would have to send the jacket it to have them do it. I said it would only take about 5 minutes and they refused, saying if they sell me individual parts, others will start making jackets and take away their business. What a bunch of B.S. They still wanted me to send the jacket in for something that I could have done in 5 minutes. No reason to send your jacket back for 2 weeks when you can fix your own problem in under 10 minutes.

Great!! I can't wait for mine! Thanks for the pics!

In Christ,
Shane

Good work Gobler, good T-shirt too Banzai!

Kt Templar wrote:Good work Gobler, good T-shirt too Banzai!

It's one of two of my favorite T shirts. The other is a Yoyodyne shirt. Picked them up about ten years ago at a con.


Glad the pix worked out and everyone is happy. Btw http://www.strapworks.com/Metal_Loops_p/ml.htm
They accept paypal as well as credit cards. There is no reason not to pick up these beauties.

Cheers,
Jeff

Those are the flat black? I expected them to be a little.... flatter. But I like that more than I was thinking they'd be. Glad I didn't pick gloss... can't imagine how they'd look if that's supposed to be flat!

In Christ,
Shane