Improved Sporran Chain

**Farlander** · 14th March 08, 07:40 PM

I thought Rogerson785 (and ChattanCat) had a great idea:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...426/index.html
Namely, to make a more substantial dress sporran chain. Here is a closeup of the one that came with my sporran (where the middle chain is the new one that will be replacing the old ones):

Notice how cheap and light the clasps are in the old chain. They are small and sharp and actually cut into or catch and snag a kilt! I did damage to a new kilt the first time I wore these

!
So, for about $10.00, and an hour or so of tinkering around, I ended up with:

I am now ready for a night on the town without fear of doing more kilt damage...

**berserkbishop** · 14th March 08, 11:00 PM

Why dont you get yourself a leather strap. They are very comfy, and will do NO damage to the kilt? Or sporran hangers might do the trick as well. I dont have any personal experience with them though. Great job on the conversion by the way. I agree that those stock things are pieces of junk. If you would like a leather sporran strap, but are worried about cost, PM me. I have a bunch of scrap leather and if I get your measures and time I would be glad to put together a black strap for ya!

BB

**Cynthia** · 15th March 08, 05:45 AM

Great job! I really like this. As I said in the other thread, it's a shame to have the belt sitting around with no chain (it doesn't fit -- it's too short). Might as well fix it up. This is a great idea, especially for those times you want to wear a chain belt like that.

**turpin** · 15th March 08, 06:28 AM

Very nice job, Michael. I've had similar thoughts on usng a small dog chain, just not sure how to close the chain links cleanly after installing the belt and clasps. What did you do?

**James MacMillan** · 15th March 08, 06:32 AM

The chains commonly used by some can cause damage to a kilt. You will be much better served, in my opinion, if you get a plain leather strap. Save the chains for more formal times.

I think the leather and chains sold with entry level sporrans, are included just because they are cheap to make.

**Panache** · 15th March 08, 07:27 AM

I note that Farlander is wearing a dress sporran so I make the assumption that he is working on a replacement chain for dress outfit. If not, then the suggestions for a simple leather strap are spot on.

I found that out of the 5 or so chain belts I have receieved with various sporrans the only really nice chain came with my Buzz Kidder sporran. It lacked the leather belt part but the chain was substantial and well finished. After shrtening it to the proper length I took the liberty of removing the sharp cheap looking clasps and replacing them with small lobster claw clasps from the craft store.

I still have two claps left over so another project will be making a black dress chain from the length I got from Jerry at Stillwater.

Cheers

Jamie

**Rogerson785** · 15th March 08, 07:29 AM

Farlander,

Thanks for the kind words, doubt I was the first to think of this, but as we all tend to move through stores I as other tend to be on the lookout for kilt pairings, belts, etc... I have the kilt bug and it’s great

.

**Farlander** · 15th March 08, 10:26 AM

Folks are of course quite correct. For well over 90% of the time, a leather sporran strap is easier, more comfortable and appropriate for typical day and casual evening wear. Note though that the problem with a small, cheap, kilt damaging clasp is just as valid with a leather strap as it is with the chain. Here is a leather sporran strap I made some time ago:

Now, instead of a 'night on the town', I am ready for a day...

**Farlander** · 15th March 08, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

...If you would like a leather sporran strap, but are worried about cost, PM me. I have a bunch of scrap leather and if I get your measures and time I would be glad to put together a black strap for ya!
BB

Wow, very kind of you

! Reality though is that I too have plenty of scrap leather. Thanks for the offer though!

**Farlander** · 15th March 08, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by turpin

...just not sure how to close the chain links cleanly after installing the belt and clasps. What did you do?

I have made lots of chain mail over the years, so, I have a bit of experience working with chain.

Dog chains come in various chain sizes. For a sporran chain, 2mm is the smallest I would even consider. The one I used here is 2.5 mm. 3mm chain is OK, but will take a lot of hand strength to bend and work the links.

To close a chain link cleanly, one must first cut the link cleanly. A sloppy cut will make a link that has sharp edges that will catch and cut. The easiest way to do this (without overly special equipment) is to use a Dremel Tool with a cut-off wheel. There are a couple safety issues here!
- DO NOT try holding the link in one hand while cutting it with the other.
- DO wear eye protection! (the cut-off wheels often break and shatter in to little pieces!)
Use vice grips to hold a single link, then put the vice grips in a bench vice. This way you can use both hands for the cutting process. Cut where the link was welded together.

Next, using two pairs of pliers, grab each side of the cut link and twist it apart. There are special snub nose pliers that makes this easier, but even regular pliers and/or long nose pliers can be used.

Finally, put the new clasp in place and twist and bend the link back into shape. Your goal is to keep bending and twisting until the ends of the link butt together smoothly in all three dimensions. This last step can be a little tricky. If the link is a bit springy, then you have to bend past where you finally want the link to be. For a heavy link a small hammer can be used along with the pliers to gently pound the link into shape.

If this all sounds too hard, get some miniature key rings (3/8" to 1/2" should be about right) and use that to connect the clasp to the chain link.