megabit

Not sure I understand the question. Are you saying you have braided the loop portion 4 strand and now need to join the ends for the rope to go through? What I do is take the 8 strands and start like a doing a multi strand nose button. Maybe a quick picture of where you are stuck. Here is a pic of the neck on a swivelled San Juan which is close to the same deal. sanjuanswivel_neck started by ss1442, on Flickr

Brass is fairly soft so if you have a dremel it shouldn't be too difficult. You could also try using hard plastic like from a cutting board too.

Which video? Four Strands of Rawhide?

You have a number of different things you can do. This thread describes a basic terminal knot: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19613 You can do a Mathew Walker know too. What I like to do anymore is braid past where I need and put a 4 strand ring knot through and around the braid and then cut off the excess. Here are some pics of how to tie it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/casa-megabit/sets/72157626253787004/

Very nice, looks like it will get the job done and look good doing it.

I started with an Old Hickory Boning knife like this: I did some modification and made new wood scales: NoBraidingYet by ss1442, on Flickr Then I braided over the scales and added a lanyard: Braiding done by ss1442, on Flickr I tried rust bluing the blade but I must not have it clean enough and it pitted it and didn't rust other parts. Sort of interesting but not really what I was going for. ;D This was my first attempt at knife making, or modification if you will. Next up I need to make a sheath for it.

Doesn't seem like that long ago you picked this up, what are you using now? I sure like the Hansen splitter I got from you, was a heck of a step up from my old one that used utility blades.

Iknow what you mean, they gave me pause too. You can eliminate one of the fourby making your romal with half as many strings. Say 6 strings start in themiddle then join them to make 12 for the romal body.

Surelooks like you did a good job on the braiding to me. Can't comment on how well itwill work from looking at pictures and not knowing the dimensions. On thataccord if you won’t get a lot of agreement on what are the best dimensions anyhowso it comes down to does it work on your horses for you. Good job, Mike

You need a knot under the pineapple to act as a foundation. You can you a few strands of what you are plaiting with or run two strands through the braid where you want it to end to make a 4 strand ring knot and cut off the excess. 4 strand ring knot pics To see how to do it with the strings of your plait look in Grant's book at how he puts the end on a San Juan honda. Just a minute I'll get the page... Page 201 Plate 78 Fig 9 - 12.

Knothead hit it right on the head. I mostly use this as a foundation that won't slide up or down. If you are careful you can get it all grain side out, you might need to put a half twist in when you start. If you are going to use it on the outside instead of as a foundation, I generally push the ends out the top of the knot instead of the middle. Under 4 instead of two and cut them off close. Mike

Mostpeople use a draw gauge for cutting from a round from what I can tell. I tend to get results alot like what you describe, I think the biggest thing is cut more string (practice practice practice). I have also used a sharp pocketknife and sharp scissors. I have a broom handle with a slot cut in it with abolt threw it so you can clamp a razor blade in and set a nail for width, thatI got from CurlyJo. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. You certainly want to make sure that you don't have the hide too wet. I wouldsay to wet is much worse than to dry, but just right is best. You also want totry to make sure you cut your circle where the thickness is fairly consistent.Going from real thin to real thick will cause you real grief. Mostlycut more hide and you will get better at it.

This is the braiding forum, you might want to try your question in one of the tooling forums ( http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showforum=14). I don't do any carving but I do believe that a sharp swivel knife is the prefered too. Mike

WellI could likely be persuaded to cut and sale some rawhide lace, however the price I would demand would quickly make buying the cutting tools look rather cheap.

Paracord pretty much comes in one size, so that part is easy. As to tools, fid, jumbo lok needles, sharp knife or two, maybe a lighter if you are mostly working paracord. Grant shows lots of homemade tools you can copy too. Some clamps and hemostats would come in handy too. Eventually you will want a lace cutter and beveler, pre-cut lace won't cut it for long. Lace prep is a huge part of how you projects will end up looking once done. Mike

Looks like you got a good start on it. I don't think I'd have ever got the first one done without Alan's tutorial, thanks again Alan.

Can't recall who told me this (I think is was more than one) but I've been told you want to try not to split anything down more than it takes to make the thickness even. Going more tends to make it weak. The splitter on whitebuff's deal is a bit prone to that too (I have one). What I think happens is those dang utility blades flex and it cuts deeper when it does. I picked up the splitter from a Hansen and that sure works better but I still use whitebuff's for cutting string and beveling. Mike

Keep practicing you'll get the hang of this braiding yet. Actually I have to agree with Dwing... OMG! That sets a new standard. Mike

I got a chance to see Curlyjo's work in person a couple of weeks ago and it is indeed top notch. You might want to post these over at RC in the Trade Bag too. Mike

Very nice! :thumbsup:

Boy is that ever the truth. I can't believe how long I fought without understanding that. This was the most important thing I learned at Nate's workshop back in Feb.

What really helped me with the backside of my braid was when I learned you pull the strand tight before you plait it not after. All of the other suggestions you got sounded good too. Good luck.

I can't see me putting any of those beads on any of my horse tack but maybe a silver ferrules maybe though. ;D I'd secure them with a 4 strand ring knot if I did. They are talked about on this thread: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=30505&st=0&p=190948&hl=+strand%20+ring%20+knot&fromsearch=1entry190948 Or you can just skip to this photo tutorial ring knot photos

Tony, Do you ride a Hawaiian style saddle? Would love to see some pics of it if you do. Mike

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Great work like always.