Cool Source for Webbing, Buckles, etc...

Zebco Kid

Branched out member
Location
Ashland, Oregon
Hello All,

As a DIY enthusiast, I'm always looking for cool sources for components. As I'm in the process of building a knee ascender, I found this site in my research. One nice thing about it is that the shipping is reasonable, which is often the element that makes remote purchases too expensive.


Cheers,

ZK
 
Good link

I've collected links to some vendors that carry cool bits and bobs. The links I save are from vendors with no minimum part or dollar requirement. One time I found the perfect buckle but I only needed one. Even with shipping it was reasonable.

Parachute rigging/supply/repair companies have things that arbos could use.
 
I have a bucket of straps and buckles in my garage. Whenever I have a backpack, duffel, or other piece of gear that's no longer useful, I cut all of them off. I also go to thrift stores where you can pickup a piece of gear with these desired items for $1. Comes in real handy when creating a DIY project...like the knee ascender.
 
I was tempted by Sailright but didn't get one. Its one of lifes true bargains.

At another time in life I was sewing more and a serger was tempting for clothing I was making. If I were to need one now I'm sure that I could find someone who has a serger easy enough.
 
110v
Model 332 made in 1953
I've been thinking of converting mine, did you do your own? I'm running a self-wired 220v wall outlet for mine now and it works but modern USA 220 is 60Hz where it calls for 50Hz. That fact plus the safety concern of having a regular looking plug running at 220 makes me consider conversion...
 
I've been thinking of converting mine, did you do your own?

Mine looks like 110v from the factory.

The female end of the power cord disintegrated. I bought a new zipcord extension cord then shaved down the end to fit the receptacle on the end to fit the recessed plug on the machine. Box knife and die grinder made short work.

Electricity and electronics are my short suit. I wish I knew more about them, especially electronics.
 
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Hello All,

As a DIY enthusiast, I'm always looking for cool sources for components. As I'm in the process of building a knee ascender, I found this site in my research. One nice thing about it is that the shipping is reasonable, which is often the element that makes remote purchases too expensive.


Cheers,

ZK
Have you checked out any of the many past threads in the archives on diy knee ascender builds ?
Many members have made some really nice looking stuff but o e common theme is that when these guys finally break down and get a real manufacturer made one, they love it and never go back most times
 
Have you checked out any of the many past threads in the archives on diy knee ascender builds ?
Many members have made some really nice looking stuff but o e common theme is that when these guys finally break down and get a real manufacturer made one, they love it and never go back most times

Sounds like you are talking about me! I was so proud of my invention and now it hangs in the closet.


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I was tempted by Sailright but didn't get one. Its one of lifes true bargains.
I was tempted too, but they are not exactly affordable just for occasional personal use. I bought one of these heavy cast iron shoe patchers off eBay instead (photo). These things are a close Chinese copy of a British machine from the 1800's and are in common use all over the Far East. Took a bit of tinkering to get it to work right, but it will handle size 207 thread and a 180/24 needle OK, and up to 3/8 inch stack of leather or webbing. There is a large user group which discusses all the various mods and adjustments. The things are hand cranked so you have very good control. The head rotates 360 degrees so you don't have to rotate the work to sew in any direction. Unbelievably, they are less than $100. including shipping from California. Quite an amazing bargain if you don't mind tinkering a bit. They don't work very well right out of the box and need the rough edges smoothed up, a better needle and thread than is shipped with them, and a better base made for them. Also the bobbin winder is useless. But most issues are easily addressed. I use mine for knife and tool sheaths, custom tool belts, etc. I also modded one of my climbing saddles with it. Worked so well finally that I bought a second machine about six months after the first one and keep a different needle and thread in it. Just do an eBay search for cobbler sewing machine or shoe patcher and go with the seller with the best feedback. I can find the user group URL for anyone interested and am happy to answer any further questions. I can also get some photos of my own two machines with their modifications (including motor drives).
shoe patcher.jpg
 
I can find the user group URL for anyone interested and am happy to answer any further questions


Yes, please post the link/URL

I think you posted info on that machine a while ago. So amazing to see technology of that era still in use with modern manufacturing. What a family legacy to have.
 
Here is the Facebook group for the shoe patcher. And leatherworker.net has fairly regular posts about the machine as well. I had forgotten that I mentioned it on here before! I have had these two machines now for a few years and have gotten quite a bit of use out of them, considering how little they cost. I think a person could easily make an entire custom climbing saddle with one of these. But a love of tinkering helps. They really do need some mods and fine tuning to work OK. There are quite a few youTube tutorials and discussions about them. A youTuber named Mainely Acres has a whole series on using these machines.

 

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