How to: make double straps

I thought i would make this tutorial to show how to make a set of double straps as cheaply as possible and more importantly, comprising as many recycled materials as possible. Let me know what you think. Bigger photos on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/39485211@N02/

tools and materials[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
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• Drill + smallish drill bit
  
• pop rivet gun and pop rivets and 2 rivet washers
  
• sharp knife
  
• straight edge/ruler
  
• 4 x old straps
  
• 1 old belt (must be relatively thick and of a suitable width. mine = 3mm thick and 35mm wide)
  
  

all tools and rivets can be easily obtained from your local hardware store or god forbid the big orange one!

1. Drill through old rivets on the old straps, from the front to the back to remove the buckles from the strap[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]2. Using the old strap as a guide, measure and mark the width/length of the straps on the belt[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]3. Using the straight edge/ruler cut the leather along the marks. (make sure you press hard with the ruler to stop it slipping, the best technique for cutting the leather is to make gradual cuts getting deeper and deeper, as it is the most accurate and safest way)[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]4. Fit up the buckles to the belt, centre punch (score with a screw driver) to show where to drill[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   
   

[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]5. Drill the belt (use a normal rill bit, the size of the rivet and smaller than the buckle hole)[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]

[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]6. Refit the buckles[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]7. Press the rivets through, from top to bottom with the long "tail" pointing upwards" fit the rivets (technique and tool use can be seen here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onVeVwat_tg
)[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]

[/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]8. Finish the ends however you wish, i used diagonal cuts to make threading easier

To make the strap guide

1. Wrap the belt round the two straps, mark and cut.[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]2. Fold over and drill two holes at either end on the edge[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]3. Rivet the leather together, however this time use a rivet washer on the reverse to allow the rivet to bind.[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]
   [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]4. Repeat to make the matching pair!
   
   

Fit the straps. Have a Beer. Go Ride[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]

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