Replacing
a worn or dislodged fall requires more skill and patience than replacing
a cracker but can be achieved by the average handyman with the right tools.
The following photographs are self-explanatory with respect to the methodology.
You can click on any of the photos for an enlarged view of what is happening.
![](images/fall1.jpg) |
1. Firstly you will need a Fid.
This is a leather makers tool. A Bradawl will also do the job.
If you're like me you may want to adapt something
else. I use a screw driver that I have filed to a point like a
Fid!! |
![](images/fall2.jpg) |
2. Here we have a damaged fall that
needs to be replaced. |
![](images/fall3.jpg) |
3. Insert the Fid under the ear
at the hitch and pull the ear out.
|
![](images/fall4.jpg) |
4. Pulling the ear out.
|
![](images/fall5.jpg) |
5. Pull the ear right out.
|
![](images/fall6.jpg) |
6. Now find the 'eye' of the fall. |
![](images/fall7.jpg) |
7. Insert the Fid into the eye of the fall and and open it up a little. |
![](images/fall8.jpg) |
8. Insert a sharp knife blade or blade of a pair of shears (scissors)
and cut the fall. |
![](images/fall9.jpg) |
9. Here is the cut eye of the fall. |
![](images/fall10.jpg) |
10. Trim off the two ends of the eye of the fall. |
![](images/fall11.jpg) |
11. Pull the fall out from the hitch in the thong. |
![](images/fall12.jpg) |
12. Pull the fall out and throw it away. |
![](images/fall13.jpg) |
13. Open up the eye of the new fall and position it to go on the thong. |
![](images/fall14.jpg) |
14. Place the eye of the new fall over the ear of the thong. |
![](images/fall15.jpg) |
15. Slide the eye of the fall along the hitch. |
![](images/fall16.jpg) |
16. Slide the eye of the fall along the thong. |
![](images/fall17.jpg) |
17. Now open up the hitch by pushing the Fid through it. |
![](images/fall18.jpg) |
18. Apply a little mutton fat or saddle soap to lubricate the hitch
and create a tunnel through the hitch. |
![](images/fall19.jpg) |
19. This allows the fall to pull through the hitch easier. |
![](images/fall20.jpg) |
20. Ensure there is a good point on the end of the fall and position
it to pull it through the tunnel in the hitch you have just created. |
![](images/fall21.jpg) |
21. Insert the end of the thong through the tunnel in the hitch.. |
![](images/fall22.jpg) |
22. Now pull the fall right through the hitch. |
![](images/fall23.jpg) |
23. And slide it up to the hitch |
![](images/fall24.jpg) |
24. When it reaches the hitch, push the ear through the eye of the
fall. |
![](images/fall25.jpg) |
25. Push the ear right through the eye. |
![](images/fall26.jpg) |
26. When the ear is through pull it very tight. |
![](images/fall27.jpg) |
27. The fall is now replaced. |