Avometer case repair

[Sinewave]

Hello chaps, I'm wondering how I would repair this?

I took pity on it, so I gave it a home and am wondering what is the best way to go about this.

Thanks for looking.

[David G4EBT]

It looks like the holes in the fabric are beyond redemption, so ideally, you could do with finding a similar try of fabric. If you look at belts in department stores, there are scores of woven belts very similar in colour and texture, or you could probably find something suitable on ebay. As to rivets, there are several options, using leatherwork rivets which are widely and cheaply available in different styles. There are two-part rivets, which are put either side of the material and ideally set with a two part setting tool, but you might succeed by clamping in a vice to 'set' the rivet, unless you can make your own setting tool. (You can't of course buy just one rivet, but 50 won't cost much).

Here's an example of a setting tool and rivets which might be suitable.

The rivets come in different diameters and in finishes such as antique brass, antique copper, brass and nickel:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Leather-Riv...r=580640770821

Some other examples, with a range of sizes here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-ca...-/171237343080

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Double-Rou...unk-Spike-For-
Leathercraft-Clothes-/371906108288

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/leather-rivets

Then there are rivets (not really rivets as such), in which one part looks like those in your picture - plain and slightly domed, but the other part has a screw slot to tighten the two parts together on either side of the material. Hence, a setting tool is not required.

The other option would be to take it to a saddlery who would probably do it while you wait.

There will be scores of saddleries around Oxfordshire who make and repair saddles and horse tack in general. For example:

http://www.sansomsaddlery.co.uk/

Hope that might help a bit.

Good luck with it.

[Silicon]

That woven strap reminds me of the tapes and webbing used by rock climbers.

[Sinewave]

I've just seen in Lidl they have some kind of kit for £3.99 which has pop stud thingy bobs which may well be suitable for this application. I didn't buy it, but wonder if I should go back and get some the next time I am passing.

[Refugee]

If you want some free webbing just go for an old dumped sofa with a sharp knife.
An unlimited supply is out there in a lay-by near you.

[greenstar]

I just wonder if you could put washers under the rivets, or a metal plate sprayed black. That would preserve the strap. Depends on whether you wanted to retain original parts or make it look like new.

[Sinewave]

I could use the larger rivets in that case perhaps.

The ones in Lidl are like the ones in David's post, but they come with the crimp tool also.

For replacing the webbing, that I should easily find.

[See_Mos]

Some of the ones David linked to look ideal but if you are not too bothered about authenticity how about a split rivet and a washer?

[ajgriff]

Apart from finding a good match, doesn't replacing the webbing also create the challenge of dealing with the popper stud? Personally I would try easing the webbing back under the rivet heads with a small flat bladed screwdriver and then flooding the area with super glue. This will soak into the frayed fabric and set rock hard. Just a thought.

Alan

[Sinewave]

Yes, but the kit has the popper studs too. Before replacing the webbing I could try larger rivets first.