HonestTom

So I'm working on my first briefcase project, and I've run into a snag. The leather I'm using is about 6oz. It's a perfect thickness for the body of the bag, etc. I'd like to make the shoulder strap have two finished sides, though, and 2x 6oz would be too thick. The right tool for this job is a splitter, it seems. Unfortunately I can't really justify a multi-hundred dollar tool for my basement hobby work (yet?). My efforts to create a homemade version involving a sharpened kitchen knife were not successful (though I at least didn't lose any appendages). So I'm asking a favor... Is there anyone in the DC/Baltimore area who has a splitter they would let me use for 10 minutes? If so, I have a six-pack with your name on it.

That makes sense too, and I think it would be straightforward to put together. Thanks! Out of curiosity, does the roller machine require wet veg tan as well, or will that crease chrome tan leather?

Thank you for the reply. Looking at the machine you describe, I can see how that would make the right creases. I will need to think if there's a way to make poor man's version of that, or just have my belts not have that sort of structure.

I'm trying to make a dress belt with a raised center section, something like: http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF97011_1_40000000001_-1?style=97011 So I have three layers, a thick outer layer, a foam strip to raise the middle, and a thin layer of pigskin as a lining. If I glue these together, because of the relative stiffness, the lining leather bends around the foam rather than the outer layer. Is there a way I can do something to the outer layer to make it bend appropriately? Thanks!