Making a Leather Guitar Strap // Leatherworking | I Like To Make Stuff

I have more guitars than I do guitar straps, so I took this as a challenge to make my own leather guitar strap using some scrap leather I had on hand. This was a really simple project using a paper template that I drew out. That template is available below so you can make on too!
TOOLS & SUPPLIES WE USED(affiliate links):
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MUSIC: share.epidemicsound.com/iltms
This leather guitar strap was loosely modeled off of an existing strap that I really like. I took the older strap and laid it out on a large roll of paper. After tracing the old strap and adding some modifications like more material in the shoulder, I cut it out using some scissors. Templates don't have to be replicas of existing guitar straps, you could mimic a curved shoulder strap like one you'd find on a duffle bag or briefcase. Now that I had the overall shape of the two leather guitar strap pieces, I transferred those lines to a larger piece of hide.
The best way i have found to cut leather is with a really sharp box cutter. I also used a long straightedge to make sure by lines were nice and clean when cutting. Since there wasn't any complicated curves or seems to sew, this step went really quick. Because the strap was an interlocking mix of two straps, I had to mark and cut some adjustment holes. These holes are necessary so that you can weave the smaller strap through the larger one, increasing or decreasing the overall strap's length. I punched out the outer limits of those elongated holes with a hole punch and connected them with the boxcutter.
For some added flare, I used a brass branding iron that our good friend Winston Moy made for me to burn the I Like To Make Stuff logo into the end of the strap. This was the first time I tried to brand leather, and the burning creeped a little leaving the logo a little blurry. I will totally revisit this practice later to make sure that I can get some nice crisp lines.
Some people really like the raw, tan-ish leather look, but I wanted to dye my new strap dark brown. My older strap is black, so like any accessory, I had to be ready for any formal occasion and have a brown one too. I used some walnut colored dye applied to both sides of each piece and let is dry. I burnished the edges to prevent fraying and rubbed it down with some leather wax to protect the finish. After all of that was dry, it was time to attach the leather strap to the guitar.
There are a few ways to connect the strap to the guitar. First, you could punch a hole on the ends of the strap and cut a small slit for the guitar's attachment nut to fit into. Secondly, and more securely, you can get some locking strap nuts. These are small spring-loaded fittings that you attach to your guitar strap with some small lock nuts. You pull up on the fitting and it locks the guitar's nut into place, preventing it from accidentally falling out of the punched hole when rocking out. I had some spare strap nuts mixed in with my music equipment so I threw them on and connected my favorite guitar.
I am constantly impressed by working with leather. It is so fun to work with and the results are really durable and they look amazing. Buying leather goods can be rather expensive and getting a guitar strap that is custom made to fit you can be really rare. This easy leatherworking project took only a few hours, and most of that was waiting for the dye to dry. I encourage you to try this project for yourself or for someone you know who plays and instrument. We've got a free pdf template up above so you can go give it a try!
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Making a Leather Guitar Strap // Leatherworking | I Like To Make Stuff
• Making a Leather Guita...
I Like To Make Stuff
/ iliketomakestuff

[@FractalWorkshop]

Awesome build! After wood, leather is my favorite material to work with! The specific tool you mention is an oblong leather punch, a 1.5" or 1.75" punch of very useful for all kinds of things.

[@Jose_LopezCasillas]

8:17 that was most beautiful composition I have ever heard. It moved me to tears.

[@JohnBorgen]

That was amazing.

[@JonMichaelDeShazer]

Bob will be getting a call from Strong Bad's attorney after this.

[@DavidPlass]

That kind of sounded like Josh "playing."

[@thingsivedone805]

And the trogdor comes in the niiiiiight!

[@droid1008]

i swear that was a guitar hero guitar in the background

[@kyronnewbury]

Bob's guitar playing is the most Homestar Runner thing I've heard in years! I haven't laughed like that in ages!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

😀

[@TrevorHigginsDustysqueak]

Wasn’t Bob in Limozeen?

[@PinataOblongata]

@@TrevorHigginsDustysqueak Big Knife :D

[@jdotoz]

@@TrevorHigginsDustysqueak Taranchula.

[@ForeverEndeavourMFG]

Trogdor!!.... And the dragon comes in the night!

[@NGinuity]

"I've got some leather, and I've got some time." Yep. That's exactly what happened when I tackled a hide of 3/4oz with a strap cutter. Guitar strap, rifle sling, belts, horse halters. I keep stainless steel and brass hardware in stock for horse stuff, but you'd be surprised at the amount of overlap those projects have with hardware. I didn't use a template for my guitar strap. Used copper rivets with a 1" belt buckle for the adjustment on one size, and I riveted a big attachment block to the other side. I don't like wide guitar straps so mine's an inch and a half, same size as belts. I did spend a ton of time tooling everything though. It's what turns a leather "project" into something unique to you. Now, if only I played guitar a fraction of how well I can leatherwork.

[@carmovision]

8:18 - "and the trogdor comes in the NIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT"

[@cadeellsworth2139]

Chris Carmo yes! That’s what I thought

[@JackWood25]

Bob, you’re such a talented woodworker and craftsman. You have motivated me to get out of my comfort zone and try woodworking. I have post my first video about and I had a lot of fun building my project. Nice job and keep it up!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That's amazing! I'm glad we can help.

[@hoguemr]

Great video! I subbed and I'm excited to see what you make in the future. Maybe your next project could be making a push stick for those table saw cuts :) stay safe and keep up the good work!

[@JordanAnthony]

8:17 - I Like To Make Stuff Theme Song Guitar Cover

[@matthewjhicks123]

That ending though! 🔥🔥🔥

[@matthewcarpenter4716]

Bill & Ted T Shirt!!! LOVE IT!

[@salvageyarddesigns2036]

Well played with the Strong Bad salute....love it! It sounded way high up on the tiny strings where you mash your fingers on them! ;)

[@frankbusuttil2572]

Great little project and fantastic playing. Thanks Bob.

[@sgsax]

Wyld Stallyns! Excellent!🤘

[@superandrd]

So happy to see you putting straplocks on! Every single guitarist should have those

[@entheogenetic]

BRILLIANT! And thanks for sharing!

[@JoeZook]

I love the guitar playing before the outtakes!

[@liamc.2065]

Awesome idea for a simple yet effective project👍

[@Iliketomakestuff]

It really is pretty simple.

[@WoodWorkingArtCraft]

I am restoring my old guitar and your video contributed my idea. Thanks for sharing

[@Iliketomakestuff]

You're welcome! make sure you check out the free template we have linked in the description

[@jaredc5163]

The solo I’ve been waiting for!!!

[@keatonharper8594]

Finally got to hear Bob Clagett shred! My face...it’s so melty!

[@matthewbukszar5943]

This is awesome!!

[@ColtFacer]

I love the Strongbad reference! Last I checked that site was still up and running!

[@rpederse]

Cool licks!

[@JonathanRansom]

Sweet guitar skillz!

[@toddsmash]

You are a rock God Bob!

[@housdrmoon]

strong and beatiful guitar strip!!!

[@7stringbassist]

Great job 👍👍

[@danielirvine7468]

Thanks for the template man I like the simple design

[@rtanderson2]

Your guitar playing skills are out of this world!

[@Zack-nd8ef]

That's so cool

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@Lechanan]

Love the simple little projects! They're good starting points for those of us without a workshop! Thanks, Bob!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Glad you like them!

[@missymcdee]

Such a great design and video, thanks so much. I've dabbled in working with leather, I have have a few hobby tools, and made this strap at home. It's a simple enough design for an amateur to do well and it looks fantastic.

[@WhenGeeksCraft]

Bob is just the best guitar player. Those sick sick toons. so solid

[@CowlickCCM]

Very cool man.

[@Levi-td7ff]

Really cool guitar strap! That gave me some new ideas, Thanks!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Glad you like it!

[@ericstokes7809]

Love the guitar solo!!!! Lol

[@makewhatever9203]

Very nice. I really like to see how you can easily make stuff from the leather. Great work

[@lorenzofernandez3133]

Sick shreds bro

[@PapaSancho666]

The way you nail the solo at the end of the video... BRAVO! Subscribed just for that!

[@MatthewCherry]

Dude. Fantastic strap, fantastic Rhodes, fantastic guitar solo!!!

[@Chef316]

I can never find a wide enough strap for my bass guitar and it's about time to replace the old Carvin one I have. I think I might do this. Did a lot of leather work when I was younger. Gotta get my tools out and get back to it!

[@jacobseal]

That Sovtek amp is dope.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Looks great Bob, awesome work! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks 👍

[@BillPairaktaridis]

Damn, Bob, you can shred!

[@firmamentofficial]

Sick!!

[@danellynable]

Nice Focus pull on the pin holes to cut the slots!

[@jacobrstout]

Homestar Runner reference! You made my day!

[@ezrabarton8236]

Love the guitar vids

[@KegRaider]

Hahah, love the riff at the end! :D

[@TheCHRISCaPWN]

Bob, you have an awesome guitar sound! Can I hire you to track that solo on a song of mine? 🎸🤘 🤣

[@BaltimoreJak]

Love the T Shirt at the End! Wylde Stallions Rule!

[@Florinachis]

Nice music at the end of the project 😎😎!!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks! 👍

[@jimyoung9262]

The Bill and Ted shirt is DOPE!

[@unitwoodworking5403]

Watching your video, I feel leather appealing to work with. Thanks for your interesting video and so long explanation above.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, Bob! It really looks beautiful! 😃 Well done!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks, you too!

[@hogpsking33]

Nice Homestar Runner reference.

[@andresmendez6870]

That's a really nice guitar collection! :)

[@zachtowns4293]

That's awesome! I'm gonna try to make it as a gift for a friend soon!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great! We have a free template linked in the description!

[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

1-2-3 blocks are so useful. Every shop should have a couple of pairs.

[@nicksimms3771]

Nice Sovtek head man!

[@JBouch33]

Amazing StrongBad reference

[@geoffcowan2384]

Nice job! Dude, that SOVTEK! those sound great!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks! I love that thing 👍🏼

[@geoffcowan2384]

@@Iliketomakestuff obviously you have great taste! I'm a musician and I build a lot of our equipment and custom cases for things that we can't easily or affordably obtain. I get a lot of inspiration and tips and tricks from you. Thank you.

[@daherb4me]

That guitar solo was killer

[@ecrusch]

That guitar sounds REALLY cool! (Nice strap build brother)

[@tim8767]

Shredd Masster GOD!

[@ofwoden]

A decent quality guitar strap is pretty bombproof, isn't it? I think we're probably about the same age and I also still use guitar straps I bought in high school.

[@steelpennyforge5152]

Nice work! One quick tip. The leather you used looked in the video to be the lower part of the "side" of leather. The lower part would be the belly of the cow. Cows drink and eat and that skin stretches and contracts LOTS. Things made from that part of the leather can end up stretching and deforming over time too. It will likely last well for a low weight item like a guitar strap, but you wouldn't want to use it in a dress belt or something that needed to hold weight. It didn't show on the video (you may have done it off camera) but if you didn't do it already you may want to seal the back so the dye doesn't bleed back out onto your shirt.

[@Jetpower485]

8:17 You should that to David to mix with Jimmy's trumpet track!

[@TheStampede000]

A diresta made ice pick to boot, nice!

[@shlatekkin]

No one: Guitar: brelebrelebrelebrelebrele!

[@maryblaylock6545]

Good analysis of what you liked about the strap and what you thought could be better. Liked the leather work. And quite frankly, I have to get that shirt! It is an abiding principal of my life! We all should be excellent to each other.

[@jlarts]

Funny I have been thinking about making my own strap recently as well. I got myself a new guitar earlier this month AND I'm working on building a kit (and making videos for it if folks are interested?). My thought was to try and make a strap using card weaving, which is a technique I learnt years ago and which could come in handy for something like this. I'd still need some leather for the two ends though, and probably some hardware for adjustment but otherwise I might give it a go.

[@shadowmergence]

Big ups for the Strong Bad reference... Dunno how many caught that, but I did and I thank you Sir...

[@gavindow7159]

As much as I enjoy the half-hour epic build videos with an assistant and a cameraman or two, there's something very satisfying about all these quick build shorts. They feel way more intimate, like it's just a guy hanging out in his shop. It really feels like an awesome way to showcase that anybody can make cool stuff, and it doesn't have to take several weekends worth of free time and a staff of helpers to do it.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

My staff helps me produce things faster and better than I could otherwise. I still love making things and making videos, they just help me do that better.

[@gavindow7159]

​@@Iliketomakestuff I think everybody wishes we had a Josh, a Forbie, and an Anthony around to help us out!

[@ChristopherBuecheler]

BEEDLY BEEDLY BEEDLY BEEDLY BEEDLY BWAAAAA! *huge towers of sparks and flame*

[@shaswatvendr5887]

Hey Bob u r soo good at ......everything👍💯

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Not everything, but I'm trying to get better every day

[@shaswatvendr5887]

@@Iliketomakestuff Anyway you are my woodworking inspiration

[@BrettS02]

nice video!!

[@harry3338]

I think i will try this

[@tylerpeters1181]

Thumbs up for some homestar runner style guitar playing.

[@LoveGuitar63277]

Ibanez rules! A great template to use.

[@rafaelhuelsen9654]

Nice solo, bro

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks!

[@nooknerdz]

Bob, love the leather working videos! Would you please update your leather working supplies list/kit to include the liquid wax you use?

[@drewbdoo_]

Meetla-meetla-meetla-meeee!!!! Hahahaha that was amazing! 🤣 So was the project. Thanks for another great vid man!

[@rayhofer4935]

3:44 The punch you speak of is called an oblong punch, also known as a bag punch in the leathercraft world. They’re also great for holster belt loops. Just pointing that out to anyone who may be interested in having one!

[@lumberjackengineering2649]

For some reason, I expected the shredding guitar riff from Bill & Teds excellent adventure right after the intro - like: "Hey I'm Bob at I Like To Make Stuff - today we're going to make: A leather guitar strap!" *shredding riff*

[@thomasskogsman]

Hi Bob! I'm Thomas and lives in Sweden, I've been thinking of making a hallway furniture for a long time using pallet and leather. (35x50x100)I have no idea how to do it, hence speaking to you haha. I like it to be "industrial" looking like the rest of my things. (burn marks, old text and rusty nails is just patina and a plus in this case) Would really appreciate an input from you! Many thanks and thank you for being my unofficial diy teacher for many years, and hopefully many years to come.

[@theblazeonix2433]

Its awesome Mr. Bob,have a little request. I wanted to make a toolbox with some shelves inside it so can you make a cantilever toolbox

[@themonkeymoo]

Shaller strap locks are the best

[@JohnMadeit]

Wow you should be in a band with skills like that. 😆 it kind of reminds me of chewbacca bandolier. It would be "geek" cool to make a guitar strap with a chewbacca bandolier theam. Nice work Bob

[@owenandlibbygower8471]

You play guitar like Jimmy plays the trumpet! Loving the leather work though.

[@chopprguy]

That strap is very wide for the load it carries. But you will soon learn is that the leather is much more resistant to stretch from top to bottom of the hide. It really does matter on smaller straps and heavier loads.

[@yao_barna]

Hi Bob! You've got yourself a huge fan form Argentina, I love your channel and the way you display your projects!!! Keep going on! You have made a guitar case and a strap, next project would be a wooden case for one of your amps? Just an idea. Best!

[@_Heinle]

YESSSS!!!! Referencing the best Strongbad email EVER!! “Way up high on the tiny strings!”

[@thismanworks]

Nice one. Still have to figure how to play guitar like this! ;)

[@GibClark]

👍👍👍👍 I don't a big have call for oblong punches BUT the correct width, sharp, wood chisel works great in addition to the punched holes

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Good call!

[@matteomatwallace]

1. That shirt is awesome 2. Leather working is more accessible than I realized 3. About your guitar playing: “Great jorb!”

[@ThatGeekyMaker]

When Bob started playing the guitar the thought popped in my head that I wished Jimmy Diresta would show up behind him playing the trumpet.

[@dardanramadani2430]

It reminded me of the old videos

[@tobyshew865]

Make It Extreme used to have good music like this. Nice strap!

[@antonisrizopoulos]

Great great!!! You might also like the idea of building something to hang 15+ guitars??? Maybe adjustable guitar hangers (?) mounted on a wall ? The thing is I have around 20 guitars and I'm trying to find a way to hang them on the wall in order not to take much space! LOVE your videos! Keep ON!

[@danielrisueno8003]

meeree meeree meeree meeree meeree meeree meeree Laughed so hard, nice way of playing a guitar!! xD