Ever Ready Case / Strap Repair

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jchabalk

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I have a couple of old rangefinders that came with an ever ready case that has the strap integrated into the case (riveted, under suede on the inside of the case). And since there are no lugs on the camera it's the only real way to use a strap with the camera (i don't like 1/4x20 mounted straps).

On one of them the strap broke a while ago right at the case, and the other one i can tell it'll go any time due to dry rot and cracking. The case though overall is in great condition.

Has anyone successfully repaired these, or gotten them repaired? Seems like a replacement strap or attaching a lug to the case would be a viable solution but it'll need to be modified to some degree.

IMG_2616.jpg
 
jchabalk said:
Seems like a replacement strap or attaching a lug to the case would be a viable solution but it'll need to be modified to some degree.
Click to expand...

I'd say that just about sums it up. The only way to avoid damage to the camera when carrying it with a strap would be to replace the strap. I believe I would take it to a shoemaker or other local leather craftsperson who can remove the old lug and install a nice new strap.
 
jchalbalk it's a pretty easy fix with simple tools. You can grind off the old rivets with a dremel tool. Depending on where you live you can buy replacement leather & rivets at a shop or online. It doesn't take much more than a hole punch, a hammer and a sharp knife.
 
I recently bought some leatherworking tools and leather to fabricate new straps and cases as well as real leather leatherettes for some of my cameras. Probably more than you're willing to spend though for just one strap.

I plan to reuse the hardware on the straps I'm replacing.

There might be a way to reinforce the fraying parts with canvas or something, but leather is hard to sew through.

A shoe repair place might be able to figure out a way to fix that strap as they fix broken shoes and such.

Another idea would be just to buy a junker broken camera on eBay and just use the new case and strap as long as it looks in good condition in the pictures. Probably cheaper than getting a leatherworker to fabricate a new strap for you (labor cost).
 
jchabalk said:
I have a couple of old rangefinders that came with an ever ready case that has the strap integrated into the case (riveted, under suede on the inside of the case). And since there are no lugs on the camera it's the only real way to use a strap with the camera (i don't like 1/4x20 mounted straps).

On one of them the strap broke a while ago right at the case, and the other one i can tell it'll go any time due to dry rot and cracking. The case though overall is in great condition.

Has anyone successfully repaired these, or gotten them repaired? Seems like a replacement strap or attaching a lug to the case would be a viable solution but it'll need to be modified to some degree.

View attachment 109802
Click to expand...

Can the case be modified so where the strap is is an opening? If so would a strap fit on the inside of the case with the camera in it? You could loop the strap through that opening and stick it to itself or better yet feed it from the inside to the outside and then sew the ends together at the bottom of the case to make it stronger.

Shawn
 
Forest_rain said:
I recently bought some leatherworking tools and leather to fabricate new straps and cases as well as real leather leatherettes for some of my cameras. Probably more than you're willing to spend though for just one strap.

I plan to reuse the hardware on the straps I'm replacing.
Click to expand...

I just did the same to repair the straps on a couple of eveready cases.

I used this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085VH7K5V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VNJWLWH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The distressed dark brown was almost a perfect match for a Leica case.

Shawn
 
You can attach a nylon strap to the case

You can attach a nylon strap to the case

You can peel back the velvet on the inside to reveal the location of the leather attachment to the rivet. I then use a knife, or just by pulling around on the strap, remove the leather from the rivet. If you pull in several different directions, eventually the hole in the leather gets big enough that it comes off the rivet.

You can then use a loop / buckle fastener such as the ones made by Op/Tech https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/736105-REG/OP_TECH_USA_1301082_System_Connectors_Mini_QD.html
I use a length of heat shrink tubing above the connection to the rivet. Place the loop over the rivet, and then light the heat shrink tubing with a lighter or a match. This keeps the rest of the loop from coming off the rivet. Then, reglue the velvet liner. Now you can have a never - break nylon strap.

I do this for almost all my cases which have antique leather straps.
 
Thanks for these suggestions. I think i’m going to give this one a go on my own. I’ve had a few of these projects i’ve stayed away from.

I started checking the leather case and lining, it’s so dried out i’m not sure if it’s going to survive, but let’s get into it. My plan is to remove enough of the lining to access the rivets, drill them out and replace the strap with either riveted in place strap lugs that i attach another strap to, or simply rivet another strap in place.

I managed to remove some of the lining without issue, enough to get a finger behind the rivets on each side. Then i drilled out the rivets using a screw driver in place of my finger to take the brunt of the force in case it went through to the other side. The leather was so brittle there was some small cracking on one side, but the other side made it though relatively unscathed.

I’m going to condition the leather heavily over the next week or so letting each coat have enough soak time to hopefully penetrate. It already darkened up a good amount just after the first coat.

I’ll need to reinforce the leather case a bit i think. 2 rivets on each side spaced out ~1/2” should help, and maybe a piece of backing material glues in place on the inside should help take some of the load off of the old leather the case is made of.

I’ll post some photos here as this progresses. The comments and images/links were very helpful.
 
That's the cheapest beginner leather kit I've ever seen. I almost feel ripped off by tandy at $10 for a single punch.

shawn said:
I just did the same to repair the straps on a couple of eveready cases.

I used this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085VH7K5V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VNJWLWH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The distressed dark brown was almost a perfect match for a Leica case.

Shawn
Click to expand...
 
I was able to remove the strap from my Pearl case, it was pretty easy to remove but as part of removing i realized that the leather was much more brittle and dried out than i anticipated. There was a small bit of cracking around one of the rivet holes.

I've been conditioning it this week and i think i've got it in serviceable shape now.

I'm thinking that to attach a strap i'd be better off attaching a leather strap lug with 2 rivets similar to what's on my Kodak Retina case (left) that has a split ring in it, and then attach a strap to the split ring. That'll give it a bit more purchase on the case to reduce stress on the leather, i'd need to punch a second hole in each side of course.

Any pros or cons you can see to that approach? I realize the case won't necessarily look original, but at this point it's pretty well shot and if i get the leather color close or to a complimentary shade it should look nice and continue to protect the camera.
 

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