How to mend broken ROLLEIFLEX Strap -- remove RIVETS ?

pentaxpete

pentaxpete

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,583
Name
Peter
Edit My Images
Yes
My Lovely 1960 ROLLEIFLEX 2.8F Planar nearly fell to the floor yesterday on a trip but luckily I was seated at a table when the Strap broke. I HAD put NEATSFOOT OIL onto it a couple of years ago to preserve the leather. Does anyone here KNOW HOW to Remove RIVETS and re-attach the GOOD PART of the Strap ?
Rollei Strap 01.jpg
 
Last edited:
As above, removing them is fairly straightforward, replacing the buggers is the tricky bit

Look for an old fashioned cobbler
 
I'd be tempted to have the (as yet) unbroken end done at the same time.
 
WoW ! So Kind of you all -- TODAY went to our 'Traditional Cobbler' in Brentwood High Street - he said he could not undo the Rivets and also the Leather Strap is all Perished so need a new one.
 
If you need a new strap, to match the old perished one, and refitting of both attachments, I think you might need a specialist artisan craftsperson.

A search revealed this one in Colchester
www.rosannaclare.com

REPAIRS — Rosanna Clare Leather Workshops

www.rosannaclare.com www.rosannaclare.com

Were I in your shoes I would see what she could offer/quote........or even point you to another craftsperson in the area?

PS looking at her site she has worked on some quite high end items.
 
Last edited:
@pentaxpete if you are not desperate I can have a look at it for you.
I have done quite a bit of leather work in the past and still have lots of tools etc.
you can get distressed leather., how wide and long is it and I can see how much the leather would be.
I am over in Laindon, but away for a few days.
 
Sky said:
Unless Richard can manage this Pete, this will probably be your cheapest option at only £24.00:

www.ebay.co.uk

[EXC+] GENUINE ROLLEI ROLLEIFLEX SCISSOR STRAP BROWN 2.8F 3.5F T | eBay UK

The strap has only moderate signs of wear.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
Moderate signs of wear???

None too sure if they varied the leather finish depending on your model it was sold with but it does not appear to have the embossed edge lines along the edge of the strap.

The seller possibly thinks that shiny buckles outweigh the condition of the leather ?

How soon would the leather on that one need to be replaced?
NB if you look at @pentaxpete images you can see the nicely radiused corners on end of the leather but the above eBay item shows square cut corners.......suggesting the leather is not an original?

PS I have my old Rollei T somewhere, which was the poor man's Rollei TLR and this thread has made me wonder what the strap looks like on mine NB mine was ex MoD and IIRC came with various original accessories. Lovely camera but not used for many years:(
 
Last edited:
I've replaced Rollei and Hasselblad straps a few times from the Evil Bay. Naturally, it's a gamble to get a second-hand one, but if the condition isn't as advertised you will be entitled to a refund. Besides, this isn't the only one - there are others available too.

They make new ones (replicas) in China, so if it's a new one that's wanted - that's the place to look.

www.ebay.co.uk

CamIn Leather Shoulder Neck Strap f Rollei Rolleiflex 2.8F 3.5F 2.8E TLR Camera | eBay UK

Compatible for Rolleiflex TLR models.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
Last edited:
Many Thanks for all you- help -- there is a Fellow Camera Club Mate who contacted me saying he had a solution - I will see what it is today or tomorrow --
 
Removing the rivets is simple. Just drill out the backside using a bit slightly larger than the size of the center post; which is just a bit larger than the hole in the rivet. Once you get through the backside it will just fall off and the remainder can be pulled out.

Untitled-1.jpg

But installing steel semi-hollow rivets is another thing. It requires special tools which are expensive for a one off job; and if you try to go cheap (hammer and punch) you will not get a factory type result. Instead I would suggest using binder screws and thread locker.
 
If the hollow rivets are pushed through washers and not totally flush then you can probably crush them down so they fit through the hole in the washers. A strong pair of pliers will do this. Then you can remove the buckle.

I'd replace the leather and put a solid rivet through.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top