The Accurate Reloading Forums
Stretching Leather Chaps
01 March 2019, 20:31
BuffHunter63Stretching Leather Chaps
Anyone know of a cheap and easy way to stretch the thigh portion of leather chaps?
As I've grown older, I've put on a little weight (okay, maybe a lot) and I hate to have to buy a new pair of chaps because the old ones are getting a little tight in the legs.
Thanks.
BH63
Hunting buff is better than sex!
01 March 2019, 23:30
Fury01if they are zippered, your probably out of luck if you have grown a "lot."
If they are straps and hooks, clips, just add a longer leather strap. Not ideal but works.
"The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights."
~George Washington - 1789
02 March 2019, 05:57
stubertTry getting them wet with denatured alcohol, stretch them and keep them stretched until they dry. That is how they form knife sheaths.
02 March 2019, 17:59
nobody2After you soak them, put them in a plastic bag to sweat awhile.
02 March 2019, 21:26
BuffHunter63^
They do have a zipper.
Thanks for the ideas. I will try it and if it doesn't work, maybe I will just donate them to someone just starting out with horses.
BH63
Hunting buff is better than sex!
02 March 2019, 22:33
chin-gas-cookJust cut the zipper off, get a piece sewn in and add the zipper.
03 March 2019, 23:30
AtkinsonNot sure where you live, but if you have a saddle shop handy they can put new zippers in..I just had mine done..Stretching chaps is all but impossible, waste of time in that they will shrink the first chance they get, snow, water etc..
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
04 March 2019, 00:58
BuffHunter63I am about 20 minutes from Colorado Saddlery. That may be the best option (or having them make me some custom fitted ones from scratch).
I wonder if I can have them put in a spandex panel in case I continue to expand? LOL
Thanks.
BH63
04 March 2019, 03:50
FjoldI saw some zippers extender things once. They were basically a 2" wide piece of heavy cloth with zipper halves mounted on them in reverse.
You zipped it to the existing zipper and they add a couple of inches of room.
Here they are:
http://www.chapinserts.com/chapinserthome.html
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
04 March 2019, 21:44
Fury01Well that is a find! Thank you sir!!
"The liberty enjoyed by the people of these states of worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their conscience, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights."
~George Washington - 1789
10 March 2019, 23:16
AtkinsonId be careful with extension zippers, placement of the zipper is very important, as the extension may or may not end up behind the knee and on a days rife wear a hole in your hide.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
Life is too short to wear stretched chaps.
-------------------------------
Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
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NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R.
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15 March 2019, 04:48
Fjoldquote:
Originally posted by Will:
Life is too short to wear stretched chaps.
It's tough to keep the weight off as you get older. I'm 7 Lbs heavier than the day I got out of boot camp 42 years ago.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
15 March 2019, 05:29
BuffHunter63^ Bragging, huh?
I am closer 45 lbs heavier than basic training.
BH63
Hunting buff is better than sex!
15 March 2019, 18:38
FjoldLOL, I knew that would catch someone's attention.
I used to be 114 Lbs heavier.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
23 March 2019, 16:42
snowmanI had the same problem a few years back. Took the chaps into a local saddlemaker. He cut the zippers off and added a narrow strip of leather to the chaps and sewed the zippers back on. Fit just fine now
quote:
Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
Anyone know of a cheap and easy way to stretch the thigh portion of leather chaps?
As I've grown older, I've put on a little weight (okay, maybe a lot) and I hate to have to buy a new pair of chaps because the old ones are getting a little tight in the legs.
Thanks.
BH63
19 September 2019, 23:22
AtkinsonPoint in question, if you can stretch your chaps, they aren't waterproof..elk is bad about stretching, its soft and comfy but worthless and treated it will soad thru and gob up your pants...
Stay with slick side out for working chaps, and use something like Leather New, put on and wiped off with a rag..
If you have to stretch them, sell them and buy a new pair might be a better option..
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
22 September 2019, 02:46
BuffHunter63I wound up giving the chaps to a sweet young thing.
They look a damn sight better on her then they ever did on me, that’s for sure.
BH63
Hunting buff is better than sex!
11 February 2021, 01:30
AtkinsonAdjustable working chaps usually have leather knots to hood to a peice of flat soft leather with a slot cut to push the know through..the leather stem can be let out or taken up and they are ver comfortable..All my work chaps have this option,
my chinks are set up with a hook on a leather strip that hook into a small D ring and they are fully adjustable...LOts of options that adjust, most saddle makers know the options, and if they don't you need to find another saddle maker..
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com