Leather case and strap repair?

jay moussy · Sep 9, 2022

By now, through various bargain purchases, I have a number of cases and case straps for TLR, 35mm, and MF cameras in need of re-stitching or strap replacement.
I seek restored functionality, not showcase looks.

- should I equip myself with basic re-stitching tools, YT tutorial, etc.?
- replace straps by removing rivets, and rivet in new strap material?

Your experience?

Note that I have an online acquaintance who does custom leather guitar straps, so I may convince him to do a batch repair for me.

Dan Daniel · Sep 9, 2022

I don't know much about restitching and other repairs, but I do know about old leather. Lost my first Rolleicord to an old strap- let the camera down, took a step, and the dried leather gave way and the camera smashed into the sidewalk.

Best to not reuse old straps. Any work done by you or others, be sure to evaluate the leather's functional condition, not just its aesthetics.

Personally, if I knew someone doing leather work and I could afford it, I'd pay someone if for no other reason than to encourage them to keep working.

Getz · Sep 9, 2022

jay moussy said:
By now, through various bargain purchases, I have a number of cases and case straps for TLR, 35mm, and MF cameras in need of re-stitching or strap replacement.
I seek restored functionality, not showcase looks.

- should I equip myself with basic re-stitching tools, YT tutorial, etc.?
- replace straps by removing rivets, and rivet in new strap material?

Your experience?

Note that I have an online acquaintance who does custom leather guitar straps, so I may convince him to do a batch repair for me.

If you are near a major city, perhaps Boston, you may want to call one of the old school shoe repair shops. They will usually repair all types of leather goods. Cheers.

ColdEye · Sep 9, 2022

I make leather good from time to time. You can re-stitch, the materials are not expensive to do that anyway, but it will be time consuming. Can you post pictures of the straps? You can also try to make one yourself if you are up to the task, its a fun project. Easiest way of course would be having to have your friend repair them.

If you do want to do the DIY route, you do not need expensive, or "leather" specific tools. If you have a Tandy leather near you, you can get hard ware there like rivets.

Don_ih · Sep 9, 2022

I have successfully restitched a Yashica tlr case. If the string is what's given out, you can reuse the holes and it will be quick. Get good thread.

jay moussy · Sep 9, 2022

Yes, it does not look very difficult, and I may get curved needles at a hobby store.
An easy case would be a starting point.
I did not study the suitable thread kind yet though.

Helge · Sep 9, 2022

jay moussy said:
Yes, it does not look very difficult, and I may get curved needles at a hobby store.
An easy case would be a starting point.
I did not study the suitable thread kind yet though.

Waxed thread of the right colour.
It’s very important to get the right tools.
The leather is brittle, and is like that as new too.
Don’t use too thick needles. As thin as possible. Preferably with a rounded tip. Never with cutting sides.
Tighten the stitches exactly so they look tight not a smidgen more.
Strong thread cuts through leather like a hot knife through butter.

You can reuse old straps if they meet the following two tests.
Inspect them for any kind of cracks or breaks. If there is any present, replace the strap, even if it’s otherwise strong.
Subject the strap to a rigorous stress test. Yank it hard a dozen times and pull it at least double as hard as the cameras weight continuously for a few seconds.
Then douse it in neatsfoot oil and wipe it down after fifteen minutes.

The rest of the case will look much better, especially when painted, if you wipe it down with neatsfoot oil or equivalent. Especially the stitching will love getting some oil.

Generally accept scratches on painted leather. They are very hard to not make worse by making it look like a persnickety repair.
If its black paint you can fill in the scratch with black leather dye to make it much less visible.

BobUK · Sep 9, 2022

Although I do use neatsfoot oil sparingly on cases and straps, I have read in a couple of leather working books that neatsfoot oil can rot cotton threads.

ColdEye · Sep 9, 2022

My advice is to not get the curved needles at hobby stores, get a saddler's needle like this:

John James - Saddlers Harness Needles (Sz #4/2/0/00/000) 25 pack

OVERVIEW You are looking at a package of 25 New John James Saddlers Harness Needles. These needles are highly recommended by many leather workers and are arguably the best needles because of their high quality and durability. These needles rarely break at the eyelets when under stress, unlike...

www.rmleathersupply.com

I bought one pack and I am still using it now for years. For thread you want waxed thread like so:

Waxed Thread, Leather Sewing Thread, Waxed Cord

Buckleguy stocks waxed thread for hand sewing and stitching leather, canvas, and more. We stock a full range of Ritza 25 Tiger, and Maine Thread, and Fil Au Chinois.

www.buckleguy.com

Google around to find the best prices or options for you. Amazon has cheap waxed thread, you dont need the expensive ones unless thats what you want.

ColdEye · Sep 9, 2022

For conditoners I just use Bick (given to me). You can also use Saphir (fancy) or just mink oil.

awty · Sep 9, 2022

Here's a thread we prepared earlier.

Box stitching old leather.

Hi all Any one have any tips on redoing box stitching on old camera cases? I have a few that need redoing. Whats a suitable needle and thread and what type of stitching. I assume you remove the old thread and reuse the existing holes. Dont need perfection, just to make the case functional again.

www.photrio.com

awty · Sep 9, 2022

BobUK said:
Although I do use neatsfoot oil sparingly on cases and straps, I have read in a couple of leather working books that neatsfoot oil can rot cotton threads.

It also increases mould in humid conditions.

Paul Howell · Sep 9, 2022

I've had a few old leather bags and camera cases restitched at a shoe/luggage repair shop near me, and had a new strap made for better quality case, didn't trust the old leather seemed too brittle. It does seem that tools and materials are much cheaper for a DYI than what I paid, last bill was $175.

awty · Sep 9, 2022

Paul Howell said:
I've had a few old leather bags and camera cases restitched at a shoe/luggage repair shop near me, and had a new strap made for better quality case, didn't trust the old leather seemed too brittle. It does seem that tools and materials are much cheaper for a DYI than what I paid, last bill was $175.

It is quite easy to do yourself, just time consuming hence the cost of paying someone.
Always good for your self-esteem to fix something yourself.

mshchem · Sep 9, 2022

When my father passed so did my free leather stitching. He could finesse most anything like this.

Sirius Glass · Sep 9, 2022

I needed hand stitching and a strap replaced on an other great condition hand made leather 500mm lens case for the Hasselblad. I called around and found a shoe repairman who said that he was up to the job. He had to disassemble the case and remove some rivets to remove the remainder of the broken strap, matched the leather with a new strap, reriveted it to the case and reassembled the case. When he finished one could not tell that he had done the work and the case now looks very near new.

Helge · Sep 10, 2022

BobUK said:
Although I do use neatsfoot oil sparingly on cases and straps, I have read in a couple of leather working books that neatsfoot oil can rot cotton threads.

That’s is for thicker pieces. As long as the leather sucks the oil it’s good. There is a lot of does and don’ts in leather that is followed like a religion. Some of them simply not true others only applys to saddles or stuff that gets wet frequently.
What kills leather is drying out.

Helge · Sep 10, 2022

awty said:
It also increases mould in humid conditions.

Leather as such is good for various fungi. If that is a problem in your region/milieu then treat the leather with anti fungicide, and keep it dry.

Ian Grant · Sep 10, 2022

I've repaired two Yashica TLR camera cases as well as two LF camera kit cases, one for a Kodak Specialist 2. I found that I needed a mix of needles, some curved ones. The tools were from a leather repair kit, and came with the range of needles, easy to find online.

Ian

jay moussy · Sep 22, 2022

Ian Grant said:
... The tools were from a leather repair kit, and came with the range of needles, easy to find online.

Ian

Yes, it is how I want to proceed, except the part "...easy to find online"
Lots of garbage tools out there, sadly.
I may have to go to a craft store and hand pick a few items after careful inspection.

Ian Grant · Sep 23, 2022

jay moussy said:
Yes, it is how I want to proceed, except the part "...easy to find online"
Lots of garbage tools out there, sadly.
I may have to go to a craft store and hand pick a few items after careful inspection.

I tried various haberdasheries (sewing, needlework, knitting shops) even their plain needles were unsuitable, it was the same in craft centres. In the end I found a good kit in Wilko (a UK budget store loosely based on Woolworths), and a more specialist kit specifically for leather online, this had the tools needed as well as the correct threads etc.

Ian.

guangong · Sep 23, 2022

My shoe repair man (who also made shoes) refused to restitch my Rollei case because it would be too time consuming. So I did it myself. It does take time. But it’s not difficult.
As for reconditioning, I bought Neetsfoot oil from a tac store...much cheaper than from supermarket. Use liberally.
Don’t use old straps. I use cases for travel and to protect camera from serious damage due to minor bumps. But strap failure can be disastrous.

awty · Dec 2, 2022

Ian Grant said:
I've repaired two Yashica TLR camera cases as well as two LF camera kit cases, one for a Kodak Specialist 2. I found that I needed a mix of needles, some curved ones. The tools were from a leather repair kit, and came with the range of needles, easy to find online.

View attachment 315669

Ian

Hi Ian
Do you know the weight of the Kodak specialist no.2 camera only?

gone · Dec 2, 2022

I wouldn't use a leather strap on any camera, especially an older one. Now for the case, sure, you could do that, but that's some thick leather. It won't be easy to do. To me, a case is just something to keep around in the event you sell the camera. I'm pretty sure keeping any camera in one for a lengthy period is not a good idea, especially in a humid climate.

I once threw a leather belt onto the top shelf of a closet in Hawaii. Two months later I remembered that it was there, and it was covered in green stuff. Someplace like Florida or a coastal city would be even worse.

Ian Grant · Dec 3, 2022

awty said:
Hi Ian
Do you know the weight of the Kodak specialist no.2 camera only?

Had to go to the darkroom and weigh the camera . . . . . . this is on electronic kitchen scales, my lab grade electronic scales don't go past 500g,

Kodak Specialist 2 with 203mm f7.7 lens Epsilon shutter 5.565 kg
Tripod block 0.598 gg
Extension rail 1.458 lg

In Total 7.621 kg with the tripod block and extension rail, or 7.023 kg with just the tripod block.

Ian

Leather case and strap repair?

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