Triple-L Stratos Strap Fix

[Marek K]

OK, several folks have been wondering what to do with the silly elastic strap over the cummerbund on the Tripl-L Stratos BC.

I just got done with my latest revision; a conventional dual-pull strap (photo attached).

Materials:
-- About a yard/meter of lightweight polypropylene 1-1/2" strapping. This thickness pretty much matches the straps used elsewhere on the BC, and allow the webbing to pull easily enough through the buckle.
-- One 1-1/2" dual-pull buckle.
-- One 1-1/2" oblong plastic loop.
-- Two 1-1/2" plastic d-rings.
-- Heavy-duty sewing awl -- wife didn't want her sewing machine further damaged.

Everything but the awl came from Strapworks.com; awl is commonly available on The Internet.

1. Remove the elastic strap.
2. Carefully remove the existing female buckle from the right side, by ripping the seam where the anchor strapping is sewn to the pocket from the inside. Careful not to damage the stitching on the pocket edging tape -- the anchor strap is folded over and stitched on top of the tape.
3. Install a new plastic loop on that right side, stitching the strap back the way it was with the awl. This was the toughest part, having to stitch through layers of desnse material (the edging tape). The heavy-duty thread with the awl is plenty strong enough; but I used two independent rows of stiches in case one ever comes loose. The existing plastic loop on the left side remains.
4. Stitch a long-enough length of new polypro strapping to each side loop. This was very easy, since stitching through even three layers of folded-under lightweight polypro strapping was like butter. Again, I sewed two independent rows of stitching on each side.
5. Finally, stitch a d-ring to the other end of each strap, making sure you've got enough strapping to adjust over wetsuit. I only used a single row of stiching here, since this isn't quite as critical.

--Marek

 

[Hoosier]

Marek,
It is awesome. I am also working on many items, such as stage strap, crotch strap, and Jon line with sewing awl. I like it a lot except the time consuming.

I am also thinking about installing the cummerbund on the Pegasus Triple-L BC. It only comes with the strap without the cummerbund.

Hoosier,

OK, several folks have been wondering what to do with the silly elastic strap over the cummerbund on the Tripl-L Stratos BC.

I just got done with my latest revision; a conventional dual-pull strap (photo attached).

Materials:
-- About a yard/meter of lightweight polypropylene 1-1/2" strapping. This thickness pretty much matches the straps used elsewhere on the BC, and allow the webbing to pull easily enough through the buckle.
-- One 1-1/2" dual-pull buckle.
-- One 1-1/2" oblong plastic loop.
-- Two 1-1/2" plastic d-rings.
-- Heavy-duty sewing awl -- wife didn't want her sewing machine further damaged.

Everything but the awl came from Strapworks.com; awl is commonly available on The Internet.

1. Remove the elastic strap.
2. Carefully remove the existing female buckle from the right side, by ripping the seam where the anchor strapping is sewn to the pocket from the inside. Careful not to damage the stitching on the pocket edging tape -- the anchor strap is folded over and stitched on top of the tape.
3. Install a new plastic loop on that right side, stitching the strap back the way it was with the awl. This was the toughest part, having to stitch through layers of desnse material (the edging tape). The heavy-duty thread with the awl is plenty strong enough; but I used two independent rows of stiches in case one ever comes loose. The existing plastic loop on the left side remains.
4. Stitch a long-enough length of new polypro strapping to each side loop. This was very easy, since stitching through even three layers of folded-under lightweight polypro strapping was like butter. Again, I sewed two independent rows of stitching on each side.
5. Finally, stitch a d-ring to the other end of each strap, making sure you've got enough strapping to adjust over wetsuit. I only used a single row of stiching here, since this isn't quite as critical.

--Marek

 

[Marek K]

Marek,
It is awesome. I am also working on many items, such as stage strap, crotch strap, and Jon line with sewing awl. I like it a lot except the time consuming.

I am also thinking about installing the cummerbund on the Pegasus Triple-L BC. It only comes with the strap without the cummerbund.

Hoosier,

Thanks, Hoosier. Not only time consuming, but hard on the fingers...

Um, why do you need a cummerbund on the Pegasus? On the conventional-jacket Stratos, the cummerbund is necessary, I think, because it provides the primary support for the sides of the BC. The strap is just to keep the fronts of the pockets from flapping around -- though I still like a snug strap.

On the Pegasus, there's only the waist strap. No need for a cummerbund as far as I can see, unless it's to pad the buckle a bit...

--Marek

 

[Moogyboy]

heya Marek

I think this post hits the nail on the head. I know exactly what to do now. Thanks for your immense help and...what's the word? Intrepidity? If SB has or ever compiles an articles database, your DIY Stratos strap-replacement tutorial, ie this post, should be in it.

Your finished BCD looks terrific too, btw.

Now, off to find a Speedy Stitcher awl....

cheers

Billy S.

 

[Marek K]

Hey Billy, where ya been? This post was mainly for you.

"Speedy Stitch"?? Not quite...

Thanks for the compliment, but you can really see in the photo how crooked the stitching is... hard to see black thread on a black strap background, when working watching TV under a living room lamp with, um, progressive bifocal glasses. But the stitching is strong.

Another thing to think about is, with the addition of the new plastic loop on the other side, I still can't pull the thing as tight as I'd want to with no air in it and with no wetsuit. But that's not a big deal.

But besides the crooked stitching, it does look pretty good, doesn't it?

--Marek

 

[rgerman95]

Heavy-duty sewing awl -- wife didn't want her sewing machine further damaged.

Everything but the awl came from Strapworks.com; awl is commonly available on The Internet.

It looks like you did an amazing job. I know how time consuming it is to use those awls.

I just have one quick question: did you use the waxed string that typically comes with the awl, or did you substitute another type of thread such as nylon or something else that won't rot?

 

[Moogyboy]

Hey Billy, where ya been? This post was mainly for you.

Well I admit I've bugged you enough times about it, I think this should answer all my questions once and for all. hee hee

"Speedy Stitch"?? Not quite...

I'm sure back in the 1910s when they introduced the Speedy Stitcher it was, as they say in the computing world, blazingly fast.

Thanx again.

cheers

Billy S.

 

[Hoosier]

This is the scrap from the board. I also took this info. Thread is a really solid, specially after stitching. You can use "search" menu to find out more info.
============================================

informed by dive mike[font=&#44404][/font]

Bonded Polyester [font=&#44404][/font]

[font=&#44404]You should be fine with Nylon B69 or B92. I use B69 which has 10lb tensile strength, the B92 has 16lb tensile strength. What type of machine are you using? Most home machines do not have the tension to use thicker nylon threads unless you modify them.[/font]
​

==================================================

It looks like you did an amazing job. I know how time consuming it is to use those awls.

I just have one quick question: did you use the waxed string that typically comes with the awl, or did you substitute another type of thread such as nylon or something else that won't rot?

 

[Hoosier]

Actually, this BCD is used by my GF. She felt that it is not snug enough. On the Orion, it has its own crotch strap and Adjustable cummerbund, but Pegasus doesn't have anything. In addition, the reason we bought Pegauss was the size matter because there is no small size in Orion. Their small size even covers the medium size in other brands' BCD though.

I don't understand why Triple L took off the cummerbund on the Pegasus.

Thanks, Hoosier. Not only time consuming, but hard on the fingers...

Um, why do you need a cummerbund on the Pegasus? On the conventional-jacket Stratos, the cummerbund is necessary, I think, because it provides the primary support for the sides of the BC. The strap is just to keep the fronts of the pockets from flapping around -- though I still like a snug strap.

On the Pegasus, there's only the waist strap. No need for a cummerbund as far as I can see, unless it's to pad the buckle a bit...

--Marek

 

[Marek K]

did you use the waxed string that typically comes with the awl, or did you substitute another type of thread such as nylon or something else that won't rot?

Oh, thanks a lot, Rich!!!

Now you tell me!!

Um, actually I used the horrible black-waxed thread that came with the awl. As obviously heavy-duty as it was, I thought (hoped?) it was nylon. No? *gulp*

OK *Whew* This isn't where I ordered the awl from, but it's clearly the identical awl. If you scroll down to Accessories, it says the thread (also identical to what I've got) is nylon.

Don't scare me like that!

--Marek