I’ve been using the leather straps that came with my David Daye set. Other than the bag and the reed, the straps are the only part of my current set that I didn’t make myself.
I’m happy to say I’ve found suitable replacements. ¾-inch nylon webbing works just fine. I recommend 48 inches length for the belly belt, and 24 inches for the arm.
While there are lots of options available for the clasp, I found a pack of four 48-inch straps with a built-in clasp for $9. I cut one of them in half for the 24-inch arm belt, then held it next to a flame to keep it from fraying. They’re both drop-in replacements for the belts David sent, I didn’t need to make any modifications to the bellows paddle designs.
I jammed a sharp pencil into the end of the arm one, so I could attach a split ring that prevents it from coming all the way out, which is a pain to deal with when you only have one hand available. Big thanks to Síle for explaining this idea to me: sometimes I need the obvious thing said out loud.
As a bonus, these straps are rated at 260 pounds load capacity, so in a pinch you can use your bellows belt to hang props from a truss, or tie a ladder to your car.
