sheepdoll
·![IMG_4602.png IMG_4602.png](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1818/1818166-1499a7cd8fdaddffdb15471a5df08d37.jpg?hash=FJmnzY_a3f)
My first watch strap. Made entirely of stuff found around the house. (Apart from the pricking irons.)
The leather is scraps from the Pipe organ projects. I have had this kicking around for some time. It even went to the OF meetup pretending to be a watch roll.
I also made the miniature stitching pony from scrap organ pipes and case wood.
![IMG_4604.png IMG_4604.png](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1818/1818164-2289c3fe339b4ce5d0eea52fbbf55ce8.jpg?hash=IonD_jObTO)
And how do you know what wood is pipe wood. -- Because it is holey.
![Rimshot ::rimshot:: ::rimshot::](/styles/omegaforums/rimshot.gif)
I used the fiberglass cloth, sometimes used in boatbuilding and surf boards, also plaster crack repairs and re-enforcing Bondo. Seems to work. I had this nice old Topps strap what was coming apart at the seams. So I glued in the re-enforcement. The pitch is much finer than the cheap Amazon Irons I got. The old straps were machine stitched.
I may also try some millinery buckram. That is a lot stiffer. Organ leather is supposed to be stretchy to flex with the bellows and pneumatic actuators. There is thicker gasket material, but I like thin straps.
The back shows the handmade nature of this.
![IMG_4605.png IMG_4605.png](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1818/1818163-d8326287feadeeca45975a767f4fbcc2.jpg?hash=2DJih_6t7s)
The final results are not bad.
![IMG_4603.png IMG_4603.png](https://omegaforums.net/data/attachments/1818/1818165-148fee53b54d3f8c5725883b04e96091.jpg?hash=FI_uU7VNP4)
The soft leather is quite comfortable.
I used the laser cutter to make templates and the scaling was a bit off. Probably should cut the pieces direct on the laser. Although I got the best results trimming after I glued up the stack. The keeper was the tricky part, especially as the scrap buckle is one piece.
Now I should be able to make some straps for the ratwatches. Will need to find a decent source of buckles. I am just as happy with generics. At least for these practice straps. Factory buckles seem to have their own issues and can cost as much as other parts. The assortments always seem to be a mix of gold and silver or yellow and white.
I used this YT vid as a guide.