Enlarging Strap Holes?

[Just Fred]

Stupid question, probably. But I'm so tired of bending fingers and uttering four-letter words as I try to attach or detach a guitar strap. I've purchased a number of nice, leather straps, but they are so hard to attach to my guitars that once I get one on, I leave it there. I don't want to buy straps for every guitar, either. And no strap locks.

I started searching for straps that didn't need to be "broken in" or that were designed for "quick change" between guitars (which is my ultimate goal). Most often, I play sitting down, but there are times when I want to stand, so I want to be able to quickly attach a strap, play, and then remove it again.

The strap I bought 50 years ago is the model for me: It's a patterned fabric with the leather ends, and it slips on and slips off easily and never comes loose on its own. But it's fraying and dying, and I don't want to hasten it to its demise.

So, I'm wondering if and how I can just enlarge the strap holes on the leather straps I have. I've tried using a metal pipe roughly the size of the strap pin to try to wear it open, but I haven't succeeded. Maybe I just need a bottle of bourbon and a lot of patience, but I think there must be a "secret" leather workers use that I can employ and make some of those strap holes just a "little" larger.

Anyone got the inside info?

[sgosnell]

A sharp knife with a thin blade will do the job. But Schaller straplocks are made for this.

[pauln]

Don't enlarge the hole, instead lengthen the slot.

All the straps I've used have a hole punched out, but also have a "slot" cut beyond the hole. The hole is to hold the pin; the slot is to allow the pin through the strap to position in the hole (which is too small itself for the pin to pass through).

First thing to do is extend the slot in the direction away from the end of the strap, a little at a time until the pin pushes through the way you want. Put it on a board and use a box opener, or just hold it carefully and use a serrated knife.

[cmajor9]

Don't enlarge the hole, instead lengthen the slot.

All the straps I've used have a hole punched out, but also have a "slot" cut beyond the hole. The hole is to hold the pin; the slot is to allow the pin through the strap to position in the hole (which is too small itself for the pin to pass through).

First thing to do is extend the slot in the direction away from the end of the strap, a little at a time until the pin pushes through the way you want. Put it on a board and use a box opener, or just hold it carefully and use a serrated knife.

+1 on this method.

[Jimmy blue note]

Don't enlarge the hole, instead lengthen the slot.

.

Yup. I kept a handy little box cutter ($2.99 thing with a replaceable razor) in the shop cuz just about everyone buying a new strap notices the same thing you do. Be careful. Be firm. Then be happy.

[citizenk74]

Don't enlarge the hole, instead lengthen the slot.

All the straps I've used have a hole punched out, but also have a "slot" cut beyond the hole. The hole is to hold the pin; the slot is to allow the pin through the strap to position in the hole (which is too small itself for the pin to pass through).

First thing to do is extend the slot in the direction away from the end of the strap, a little at a time until the pin pushes through the way you want. Put it on a board and use a box opener, or just hold it carefully and use a serrated knife.

Plus 3 on this method; I just lengthen the slit by an eight of an inch, more or less.

[pingu]

All the straps I've used have a hole punched out, but also have a "slot" cut beyond the hole. The hole is to hold the pin; the slot is to allow the pin through the strap to position in the hole (which is too small itself for the pin to pass through).

thats all true but
I had a strap where the slot WAS long enough ,
but after the strap was on , the button still didn't fit the hole
it can happen ....
so I used side cutters to enlarge the hole a bit ,
I didn't lengthen the slot ....

It worked well ....