Sizing sleazy leather

[DGA]

In Grants "How to Make Cowboy Horse Gear", there is a discussion in the notes about sizing leather strings with a solution of white gas and parafin wax. As chap leather strings make an excellent cover for the hackamore core, it would be much easier to use if it they were stiffened up.

While I have been braiding off and on for a number of years, I have never tried this technique, and have been struggling along with limp strings. I was hoping that somebody had tried it, and if so, with what success. A little more on the basics of the technique would also be helpful, such as the approximate mixture; can you save the leftover mixture; after the strings dry has the gas evaporated completely; can you store the strings for later use?

This is my first post since joining the forum, and I really have benefited from all the discussions. Everyone is so willing to share their experience. Looking forward to any info available.

Thanks - DGA

[Alan Bell]

Don't know of anyone currently using this method and I don't know where you would go to obtain white gas now a days. Are you wanting to put a piece of chap leather as a build up for a hackamore core over a braided core? I have used chap leather for that purpose and don't think the risk of working with white gas is worth the effort. In the book it sounds like he is preparing the string to braid with. Are you wanting to braid with the string too or just wrap a piece of chap leather over a core. If you do try it he says he uses a quart of white gas and all the wax that the gas will dissolve so I guess that is the measurement to use. If you do try this be EXTREMELY careful using white gas as the invisible fumes spread along the ground and a friend or neighbor smoking a cigarette 40 - 50 feet away can get YOU blown up.

Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

[tashabear]

I don't know where you would go to obtain white gas now a days.

WalMart. White gas is Coleman fuel.

[TwinOaks]

Hi DGA, to Leatherworker.net!

[TexasJack]

White gas is an old name for unleaded gasoline. All gasoline is unleaded now, but they add a lot of alcohol to it. Coleman fuel would be the closest thing to the older stuff, as has been pointed out.

Honestly though, I would really not recommend using gasoline-range hydrocarbons as solvents. It's very easy to build up enough fumes to create an explosive mixture in air.

Anyone with alternatives??