toolbox handle suggestions

[paceman]

hi all,

i am refreshing an old toolbox that was given to me by a deceased friend... current photo is below:



i have got it to a point (have completed two coats of penetrol) where i need to replace the old handle which was far beyond useful, then ready for painting.

i have seen plenty of handles around that would be ok, but have a couple of issues:

below is a shot of where the old handle was pop riveted:



the distance between the far right and left holes is 200mm with the inner holes 30mm back from them.

i can't seem to find a handle with this type of measurement.  most are too big or too small.

looking for ideas on what i can do to either cover the holes or out of the box thinking on a 'cool' handle. 

this may sound silly, but this was a toolbox of a dear friend of mine, so looking for ideas that won't make it look too much like a junkyard box...

any thoughts appreciated.

[Mangrovematt]

Hi Paceman , what about a Black leather strap and a couple of brass rivets with washers on the underside , for a handle that is !

[paceman]

Hi Paceman , what about a Black leather strap and a couple of brass rivets with washers on the underside , for a handle that is !

I like it... thanks for the suggestion... 

[Nomad]

Or just pick the handle you like best and put a couple of nice round head bolts with nuts underneath.......you could even put a bit of ally or something under it to strengthen the top and bolt your new handle through that as well 

[Bird]

Hi Paceman , what about a Black leather strap and a couple of brass rivets with washers on the underside , for a handle that is !

Like it....

or along these lines, bit of flat bar, bent into shape, and then covered in leather or similar so its solid when you pick it up.

[GBC]

Looks like an old hitachi or Kango jackhammer box.

[glenm64]

A guitar amp strap type handle would the job.
http://www.evatco.com.au/product-category/handles-straps/
The Fender type would be about right.
Have a look on fleabay you may find a leather one to

Cheers Glen

[noel_w]

If you go to a Saddlery store you might be able to pick up some copper rivets that would look cool through the leather strap. Just need a ball pein hammer and a dolly (lump of steel) to set the rivet.
Old school stuff.
Have set thousands of these type of rivets on a 1936 double ended schooner I once owned.

[paceman]

If you go to a Saddlery store you might be able to pick up some copper rivets that would look cool through the leather strap. Just need a ball pein hammer and a dolly (lump of steel) to set the rivet.
Old school stuff.
Have set thousands of these type of rivets on a 1936 double ended schooner I once owned.

thanks mate...

don't you need a proper tool to set the copper washer on the rivet?

[noel_w]

Nah, easy
Insert rivet through items to be riveted
Put dolly on the head of the rivet, lump hammer will do at a pinch
Use a bit of metal pipe id larger than rivet and od smaller than outside of washer and hammer washer onto rivet. Dolly will keep rivet from pushing out.
Once washer on, useing ball of ball pein hammer, smooth end of rivet over washer till tight and smooth. Once again the dolly stops the rivet moving while balling the end of the rivet.
Usually a two man job though.
The dolly I used to use was a piece of 4" long x 1.5" round steel rod with one end tapered down to the size of the rivet head.

[paceman]

Nah, easy
Insert rivet through items to be riveted
Put dolly on the head of the rivet, lump hammer will do at a pinch
Use a bit of metal pipe id larger than rivet and od smaller than outside of washer and hammer washer onto rivet. Dolly will keep rivet from pushing out.
Once washer on, useing ball of ball pein hammer, smooth end of rivet over washer till tight and smooth. Once again the dolly stops the rivet moving while balling the end of the rivet.
Usually a two man job though.
The dolly I used to use was a piece of 4" long x 1.5" round steel rod with one end tapered down to the size of the rivet head.

thanks, mate...

i will probably end up getting a proper rivet setter anyways, as i want to get back to making some more belts...

the leather strap and copper rivets will do the job nicely, i think...

[paceman]

thought i'd post the finished product...

harness leather strap with stainless steel keyposts...  might change to rivets later, depending on strength...

[tracker]

thought i'd post the finished product...

harness leather strap with stainless steel keyposts...  might change to rivets later, depending on strength...

       Nice job.......

                             Cheers Tracker.