Installing Schallers

[GitFiddle]

I know, not another straplock thread. But.....

Does anyone have any good tips or tricks for installing the straplocks on really thick straps? Schaller doesn't provide a lot of threads on their barrel.

I got a nice very wide (and thick) Levy's strap for my GT but it took forever to get the washer and nut threaded on the barrel because the strap was so thick.

I got another Levy's strap for another LP and want to install Schallers on it without the wrestling match.

I was reading a sight that makes custom guitar straps and they even talked about how they can modify their straps specifically for Schaller's by making a round hole instead of a keyhole and compressing the leather around the hole.

Any leather experts have any tips for compressing the leather around the hole for the strap locks?
Does compressing the leather involve anything more than pounding it into submission?
Any ideas?

 

[i am wet]

I usually just press it down as hard as a I can.

 

[Howard2k]

I have Schallers and a Levy strap. Yeah it was pretty tough. Brute force did it, then just wrench it down once it bites.

You will get it. The leather compresses too, remember to revisit in a few weeks/months to ensure that it is still tight.

 

[GitFiddle]

This was interesting. I was just wondering what the proper process is to compress leather. I wonder if it involves heat at all or just pounding it flat with some kind of special tool.

(scroll down about half a page...)
Brookwood Leather - Custom Leather Guitar and Bass Straps * * *bob@brookwoodleather.com*717-713-0667

 

[Lysol]

You can hammer it a bit to thin it out enough so the thread grips, then wrench it up tight.

 

[Ledheadforlife]

I used needle nose pliers to force the washer down.

 

[otaypanky]

That's my website you are referring to. I moisten the leather around the hole giving the leather a little while to absorb it. Then I place 2 washers on each side of the strap, a total of 4 washers, that are the same diameter as the ones you use with your strap locks. Run a 5'16" bolt through, a nut on the other end, and tighten down securely. In about 15 minutes tighten down again and let sit.
I use two washers on each side to reduce the twist against the surface of the leather.

 

[mtgguitar]

I installed schallers on two thick straps using brute force, sweat, pain and swearing. One of them worked loose a few weeks later. Now I glue the parts together. Not all metal glues will work on stainless so shop around.

 

[nbeersiii]

That's my website you are referring to. I moisten the leather around the hole giving the leather a little while to absorb it. Then I place 2 washers on each side of the strap, a total of 4 washers, that are the same diameter as the ones you use with your strap locks. Run a 5'16" bolt through, a nut on the other end, and tighten down securely. In about 15 minutes tighten down again and let sit.
I use two washers on each side to reduce the twist against the surface of the leather.

Smart man, I was going to suggest something very similar. Probrably the best advice to get the best results.

 

[dynabite]

Socket, crescent wrench and loctite.

 

[GammyBird]

I had to put a small cut on both my straps when I installed Schallers...I picked and prodded and pressed until I got enough thread through...then out with the wrench and elbow grease until it was done

 

[Rich]

Stick the lock end in a vice with the button part with the threads facing up and the open part of the side facing one side of the vice. Tighten the vice enough to keep the lock snug, don't crank it down so that you bend the metal. If the vice is metal, put a couple of pieces of scrap wood between the ends of the vice and the lock so you don't mark up the lock.

Put the strap on the threads of the lock and push it down as low as you can get it, using your fingernails helps some; the leather will spread a bit. Put the washer and the nut on top and turn the nut with your hand enough so that it gets some thread to grab onto.

Use a socket wrench to crank the shit out of the nut down on the lock.

I've had a set of Schallers on one of my straps for at least 15 years now and the nut has never loosened on it; the leather acts kind of like a spring washer to keep the nut from loosening.

 

[rdsmith3]

Socket, crescent wrench and loctite.

+1

I use the Epi strap locks with a think Levy strap. I think it is important to use blue loctite because the nut is only grabbing a few threads at the end, and you do not want the nut to loosen and come off.

 

[GitFiddle]

That's my website you are referring to. I moisten the leather around the hole giving the leather a little while to absorb it. Then I place 2 washers on each side of the strap, a total of 4 washers, that are the same diameter as the ones you use with your strap locks. Run a 5'16" bolt through, a nut on the other end, and tighten down securely. In about 15 minutes tighten down again and let sit.
I use two washers on each side to reduce the twist against the surface of the leather.

Thanks Otay. That sounds like a great solution. I like thick and wide leather straps and installed my first set on a thick padded Levy's strap and like many other posts, wrestled with it, with pliers and sockets for quite a while. Finally got it on and the nut is good and tight. If it ever starts to come loose I will apply some loc-tite.

I am planning to install the same strap locks on 3-4 more straps and was looking for some ideas to reduce some of the "wrestling" time. Your solution sounds most efficient.

I may even look into treating myself to a Brookwood Leather strap, just because.