Trying to make Strop Swivel for Strat

I spent half the day running around getting plastic boxes for the PSA kits and the shipping boxes. The other half I spent playing around with 1/8" round brass rod to see if I can make the strat strop hardware. I will have to catch up on all the posts tomorrow.

I decided to change the configuration of the top fixture, first of all so I could make it out of brass rod and second to replace the loop or ring at the top of the strop with a hook.

I find the loops to be a PITA. I always add a hook. Seemed to me that a hook would work better and be easier to make.

I am still learning how to bend the rod without marring the surface and make the bends where I want. The rod for the hook started out as a rod for the peening test of the swivel then decided to make the full blown hook out of it. When I got to the last part of the hook found out it was a bit short.

Since it is only a test I kept going instead of starting over. I just wanted to see how far I could get.

The 1/8" brass rod is surprisingly stiff and won't need to be welded to close the circle.

http://www.winpte.com/str8/StratStropSwivel.jpg

I heated the rod with a propane torch and then quickly bent it while it was still soft.

What do you think of the hook idea for the strop?

The the swivel will be centered in the real thing and the shape will be as in the graphic. I will also want a mirror finish on it. This one I polished but skimped a bit on the sanding. Too many dents and gouges in the surface from pliers I used for bending.

Tony, if you take a peek at this let me know if you can use something like this for the top fixture of the strop.

Try wrapping your pliers in damp cloth for a cusion then you won't get the nicks. Also you could try to bend around a small piece of pipe the diameter you want and that will help with the curves. Other wise it looks great.

Keaton