Took me about 45 minutes the first time too, less than 5 seconds after that. The key is just to get it right first.
These are the easiest steps for me,
1. Massage the ends of the straps first, gently and slightly compress it by 1-2mm depending on the type of leather (please see how the top end strap is a tad shorter than the bottom one after I massaged it)
View attachment 392707
2. Insert the female spring bars to the straps (at this point, the straps should be shorter by 1mm than the spring bar and there should be an excess spring bar showing on one of the end)
View attachment 392709
3. Place the straps with the female spring bar in it, into one pin (on the side where there's no excess spring bar showing)
View attachment 392710
4. With the fork end of spring bar tool, go to the other side, push and hold the leather strap (that has been compressed by 1mm) and the female spring bar tube together until you get the lug pin to fit completely or at least on top of the spring bar like this photo below (please note that at least, the lug pin need to go over the leather strap first).
View attachment 392711
7. Once everything is in place, massage back the strap end back to the original size until the spring bar is not showing anymore
View attachment 392712
View attachment 392713
8. Repeat on the other side
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