Australian Strander

[LuisPaulo]

Hi.

I bought this tool to cut fine strands of rawhide but..... I can't use this ! I just cut short strands, the strands are not at the same width, etc...

So, it drives me crazy !!!

Help me !!!!

[TracyMoss]

I have ot cut rawhide when it is mostly dry. Just a little moisture to it or it will stretch and nothing will be even. As for the australian strander, they work pretty good on most things, but I have a lacemaker that I use for long strands and a really sharp razor blade, if it gets just the least bit dull you need to replace it.

[rawhide1]

LuisPaulo

How fine are ya trying to cut? How thick is the rawhide your trying to cut? How long have ya used the strander? I've never used the Aussie strander so can't speak on it. I always case my rawhide and have never had a problem with it not cutting uniform or stretching. I've cut calf down to 1/64" which at that width it has a tendency to want to break. IMHO ya need to make sure your rawhide is cased and pracitice like heck with the strand cutter. And as Mr. Moss stated make sure ya have a sharp razor blade. Hope this helps.

Mike

[KAW]

You can make good stings with about anything as long as the moisture is right and you keep your blades sharp.

[LuisPaulo]

Actually I use a very thin skin made for use in drums.

I'll try that you post here, and I think its a matter of more practice.

Thanks for your help.

[Hedge]

You can do it with the strander, but it takes practice, the right consitancy of the hide and sharp blades. That means don't be stingy

with the blades. As soon as it starts showing signs of cutting hard, change it.

[OutBackP]

I've just ordered one but have a book by Ron Edwards who recommends them. Heres how he say's to use it. I'll put it in my own words so as not to break copyright laws etc.

The strander is used on the left thumb (right handed people)

Lay the skin on a bench and with a piece of string and marking tool draw a circle.

Fix the circle of leather to your bench with a tack in the center and let the edge overhang a little on the side you are working.

Cut the first inch or so with a knife and feed into the cutter.

As the lace is being cut the leather circle revolves.

You will need to repostition from time to time as the circle gets smaller.

Use a sharp blade. Change the position of the blade or replace after each skin.

Amount of lace is somewhere between 100-200 metres of 3mm lace from a hide.

When cutting pull the lace slighty away from the circle. This will lesson the chance of the blade running off and cutting uneven widths.

Hope this helps.

[leatheroo]

thanks for this tip about tacking the center of the circle, what a great idea

[Gremlin]

The aussie strander is my lace cutter of choice. I've tried other types (plastic stick type things, razor knife, jeri stripper, etc) but always come back to the strander. If I may, I suggest you practice on some scrap vegtan leather first. It is stiff enough to allow the user to get accustomed to handling the tool.

[jimsaddler]

"The strander is used on the left thumb (right handed people)

Lay the skin on a bench and with a piece of string and marking tool draw a circle.

Fix the circle of leather to your bench with a tack in the center and let the edge overhang a little on the side you are working."

Can I add a few points here please.

Firstly I must be a bungler as I use the (R.M. Williams) Strander on my Rt Index Finger and pull the Strand away from the Hide with my left hand and have done so for for nearly 50 years. It's by far the best to use. BUT it takes practice, Pratice and more practice to get perfect Strands.

Secondly if I was to strand from a circle I'd go broke very quickly. Thats for people with money to waste!! or to make money from writing Books. If you are using a full hide you trim the Hide to eliminate the Flabby or stretchy spots (Belly etc) and are left with an Egg shape. The day before you start Stranding Mellow the Hide with water and Saddle Soap and roll it up in Calico or Hessian then Plastic. Next day then trim arround the hide to give a square edge for the Strander to run on. Then lay the Hide on a Table (or if you can get a Chinese revolving Banquet Table even better) and sit yourself with the Hide under your left Arm, make a cut the width of the Strand you're cutting long enough to get hold of and start pulling the Strand through with your left hand. Your right hand being the Strander hand, your right index Finger being through the Strander and your Rt Thumb being the guide. If your Blade is sharp the Strander will do all the work for you effortlessly. As soon as it gets hard to pull Change the Blade ( I used to sharpen them on a Glass Stone). The sujestion to practice on a bit of Veg Tan is spot on Start light then get heavier. I forgot to say that as corners get to small to turn trim them into easier to manage curves.

Whe you've cut your Strand pull it Straight between a Glove greased with Saddle Soap (rounds the edges a bit too).

Kindest Regards.

Jim.

Edited March 28, 2008 by jimsaddler