Rein Rounder: Do I need 1?

[DieselTech]

Guys & gals I'm curious if a rein rounder is something I should buy? I have not got into making any type of horse tack stuff, but I see I will once the word gets out about my leather work. 

Is there any other uses for that tool? Could it be used to make bag or purse handles? Any other uses I'm not even thinking about?

Thanks any & all help will be appreciated.

[TomE]

A rein rounder is used for any rolled leather strap that has a solid leather core - handles, halter throatlatches, rolled cheek pieces, dog collars, bracelets, etc.  It is not useful if you're covering a cord with leather to make the rolled piece.  A solid leather rolled strap holds it shape nicely and feels ... solid, but it is more work to make it.

 

[DieselTech]

2 hours ago, TomE said:

A rein rounder is used for any rolled leather strap that has a solid leather core - handles, halter throatlatches, rolled cheek pieces, dog collars, bracelets, etc.  It is not useful if you're covering a cord with leather to make the rolled piece.  A solid leather rolled strap holds it shape nicely and feels ... solid, but it is more work to make it.

 

Thanks, @TomE I was just wondering if using a rein rounder is the correct way to make a round handle?  

I'm sure there is other ways, but reading & seeing pics of the leather masterclass for round reins looked interesting & something I think I would like to learn to do.

 

Edited December 23, 2023 by DieselTech
Misspelling

[JLSleather]

If you're making a VOLUME of rounded items, may be worth getting.  OR, a guy could drill various hole sizes through a board, cut the  board in half, add a hinge

 

[DieselTech]

28 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

If you're making a VOLUME of rounded items, may be worth getting.  OR, a guy could drill various hole sizes through a board, cut the  board in half, add a hinge

 

Yeah I got a bunch of cocobolo boards 1" & thicker. I bet cocobolo would be a good candidate for a homemade tool like that. 

Plus it can be polished to a high shine. 

Maybe that's something I'll try, just to see if it could be done & look good. 

Thanks. 

[bruce johnson]

1 hour ago, DieselTech said:

Yeah I got a bunch of cocobolo boards 1" & thicker. I bet cocobolo would be a good candidate for a homemade tool like that. 

Plus it can be polished to a high shine. 

Maybe that's something I'll try, just to see if it could be done & look good. 

Thanks. 

Not many people justify a rounder to start with. When you find you are making a few rounded handles, gag bit cheek headstalls, and braided or round leashes then think about it more. When you find rolling between two boards is not consistent enough - then time to step up.

I can save you time and wasted effort on making one -  There have been maybe 2 handmade hinged or pinned wooden rounders through here that have ever been better than the worst worn shop made, most are not that good. The holes need to be precisely drilled so the cut line exactly bisects each hole. The hinges need to be so tight that the holes close exactly.  The top and bottom have align exactly. There can be no front to back or side to side play between sections that would make a stair step in the hole and score the leather. A little wear and the screws loosen and it gets worse. The holes need to flared to allow the leather to feed in and smoothly compress. Cant just drill a straight hole, needs to be lightly chamfered. My experience after tossing about 40 of them. Drawing plates for rounds work if the whole piece is round and not just a section- hinged home made rounders do not work very well.

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, bruce johnson said:

Not many people justify a rounder to start with. When you find you are making a few rounded handles, gag bit cheek headstalls, and braided or round leashes then think about it more. When you find rolling between two boards is not consistent enough - then time to step up.

I can save you time and wasted effort on making one -  There have been maybe 2 handmade hinged or pinned wooden rounders through here that have ever been better than the worst worn shop made, most are not that good. The holes need to be precisely drilled so the cut line exactly bisects each hole. The hinges need to be so tight that the holes close exactly.  The top and bottom have align exactly. There can be no front to back or side to side play between sections that would make a stair step in the hole and score the leather. A little wear and the screws loosen and it gets worse. The holes need to flared to allow the leather to feed in and smoothly compress. Cant just drill a straight hole, needs to be lightly chamfered. My experience after tossing about 40 of them. Drawing plates for rounds work if the whole piece is round and not just a section- hinged home made rounders do not work very well.

Yeah I figured it might be wasted time, if it wasnt a rock solid & a precise fabricated piece. 

Lol my buddy does have a mill & lathe, & I bet I could make a metal rein rounder, but at a cost of a $210 tool. I would have way more man hours than a guy cares to admit. 

I would like to find a video of a craftsman using a rein rounder. Just so I could see the process in action.