Author Topic: Strap Buttons  (Read 470 times)

pauldo

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Strap Buttons
« on: April 07, 2020, 12:58:44 AM »
So as not to continually hijack Mica’s thread...


I made it a priority to attempt a strap button today.  Used some scrap aluminum we had around, had to shape a tool for the undercut, improvised with letter drills as our metric selection is weak and used my existing Straplock button as a template.  The goal is to make some nice ‘big head’ buttons like Rob and Stephen have on their late 70’s basses.


This was done more as a practice to see if my approach to the final product is correct. It was also done in periodic bursts of scooting over to the lathe in between “real” work. 


No idea when I will have focused time to turn a few sets of these out, but will update here when it happens.


Meanwhile;  the Straplock button is on the right.


Paul (who can’t manage to get very nice pictures from this iPad)




StefanieJones

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2020, 09:57:11 AM »
Hmm I like what you've done. Awesome to have the machinery to do something like that. If I were to use one, I'd like a little more depth on the button as it looks like the strap may slide off. Otherwise it looks like a great match.

StephenR

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2020, 10:13:19 AM »
Cool that you have the skills to whip up something like this. One suggestion, though, IMO what makes the old strap buttons with the large heads work well is the fact that the diameter of the shaft itself is narrow. If the shaft is too wide in relation to the button head it may not be as secure. I am pretty sure that the old style strap buttons were a bit taller too, and the height of the head itself narrower than your new creation. My 2016 Series bass has strap-locks so I don't have a way to compare any of the newer strap buttons used by Alembic to the ones on my '78 but you might be able to get a visual clue to the proportions from the pictures Rob posted in Mica's thread where the subject of the old strap-locks came up.

lbpesq

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2020, 10:47:35 AM »
I just found the original strap buttons from my ‘77 Series I 12 String LSG.  I’m sitting here with my caliper.  Here are the measurements:

Height:  13.9 mm
Diameter at top: 14.95 mm
Diameter at bottom: 10.6 mm
Diameter at narrowest middle point: 4.95 mm

Hope this helps & stay safe.

Bill, tgo
« Last Edit: April 08, 2020, 02:32:47 PM by lbpesq »

Glynn

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2020, 12:03:57 PM »
Came across a reference to Lock-it straps which seem to have the locking mechanism in the strap so no technical stuff which suits me.  Only problem seems to be that the leather one they do is to long for me even on short adjustment.  Also they are pricey - just under £100.
Glynn

Glynn

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2020, 12:10:56 PM »
Ooops - was that changing the topic/hi-jacking??

pauldo

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2020, 02:25:20 PM »
Ooops - was that changing the topic/hi-jacking??

Miscellaneous topics are designed for hi-jacking! :-D

Appreciate everyone's input - the button that I made above has a shallow throat as it is from a Straplock system that connects to a metal 'receiver' that is physically connected to a strap.  (see attachment)  It was meant as a practice to see if my machining ability was up for the task.  I am relatively new to machining and often times doubt my ability...

The intent is to make the wider head 1970's buttons (thank YOU - Bill for the dimensions) and was toying with the idea of 'slight' extension for the upper bout button.  Somewhere I recall seeing a Distillate that had a rather long (4"?) extension to the upper bout strap pin to help reduce neck dive.
I have no intention to go to that length (pun intended) but perhaps an extra inch just to see what that would look/ feel like.

We are rather busy right now (and down one man because he is 'high-risk' and wisely staying at home right now).  I prefer NOT multi-tasking while at work, so waiting for a lull before I really dive into this.

Thanks for viewing, stay tuned and wash your hands!

StephenR

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2020, 08:56:09 AM »
Hey Paul, if you haven't seen Yutaka's history look-up request thread for his '79 Series bass he uploaded a couple of pictures that show the profile and proportions of the wide head strap buttons really well.

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=25377.0;topicseen

pauldo

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2020, 01:32:37 PM »
With help from fellow members with dimensions I believe I have a functional piece.
As mentioned we are super swamped in the shop so this projecthas been not been given an appropriate level of focused attention.
More like, set it up in the lathe, do this other task, do a couple passing turns/ boring, dash back to the other piece and so on and so on and scooby dooby doo.

We didn’t have any appropriate diameter brass stock so this is plain old 1018 CRS.
I am pleased with it and will put it on one of my basses to verify function.  Ideally we will get caught up in the shop and I can make sets of these and would be more than happy to share with members.

At this time we are expecting to have another can line put in by next July and there is no intention of hiring any more Toolroom Machinists.   Wonder how much free time I will see?





rv_bass

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2020, 04:08:50 PM »
Nice work, pauldo, looks great!  :)

StefanieJones

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2020, 08:50:21 AM »
Yes indeed that looks great!  Sorry to hear about the busy busy, hopefully you do wind up with some free time soon.

gtrguy

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2020, 10:47:02 AM »
How fun! I love lathe work!

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2020, 01:53:23 PM »
Just adding another atta-boy.  :)

StephenR

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2020, 03:51:01 PM »
Looks like a job well done!

pauldo

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Re: Strap Buttons
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2020, 05:33:51 PM »
I appreciate the kind words.


Stefanie,
They pay me to be busy - I am grateful to be employed.