littlelou Report post Posted April 28, 2010 Hi everyone. I make rope products for horses using knotting, splicing and plaiting techniques. I sell these on ebay and through my website and keep being asked if I sell slobber straps for the rope reins, which I don`t as they are too expensive to buy and sell on at a reasonable price. SO, I have decided to have a go at making them myself but have never done leatherwork before, apart from using a strap cutter to cut out leather pieces for the end of my training ropes. I have noticed a couple of patterns on this site, but they seem quite a challenge to cut out and get the shape correct. Is there a special tool or tools I should use for cutting out designs? Also can anyone tell me what thickness of leather is used to make the slobber straps and if they consist of two pieces glued together and sewn? Sorry about all the questions but leatherwork is completely new to me yet something I would love to be able to do to make lots of unique items for my horses. I can see me spending the kids inheritence once I get hooked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kara Report post Posted May 3, 2010 Hi everyone. I make rope products for horses using knotting, splicing and plaiting techniques. I sell these on ebay and through my website and keep being asked if I sell slobber straps for the rope reins, which I don`t as they are too expensive to buy and sell on at a reasonable price. SO, I have decided to have a go at making them myself but have never done leatherwork before, apart from using a strap cutter to cut out leather pieces for the end of my training ropes. I have noticed a couple of patterns on this site, but they seem quite a challenge to cut out and get the shape correct. Is there a special tool or tools I should use for cutting out designs? Also can anyone tell me what thickness of leather is used to make the slobber straps and if they consist of two pieces glued together and sewn? Sorry about all the questions but leatherwork is completely new to me yet something I would love to be able to do to make lots of unique items for my horses. I can see me spending the kids inheritence once I get hooked. Hi there, I have attached my two favorite slobber strap patterns; one is for long straps, the other is for short ones. I make mine out of 8-10 oz veg tan leather, single ply, but if you want to double and stitch them I would recommend two layers of 4-5 oz veg tan, or 6-7 veg tan for the outside layer and 3-4 oz chap or upholstery leather for the inside layer. I usually cut veg tan leather out with a heavy duty utility knife--not fancy but it works! Anyway hope this helps, and hopefully the patterns work for you! Kara LeaninLadder Leather Alberta, Canada IMG.pdf IMG.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlelou Report post Posted May 3, 2010 Hi Kara, That was very kind of you to send me your patterns for the slobber straps and I have printed them out. As I am new to leatherworking I am not sure how weights of leather compare to thicknesses. Would it be possible for you to measure the thickness of the 8-10oz leather for me in millimetres? This would give me a good idea of weight to thickness ratio. I have some 3mm thick leather here but not sure if it would be suitable used single ply and may be too thick if doubled and stitched. Thank you again, Littlelou Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kara Report post Posted May 3, 2010 Hi Kara, That was very kind of you to send me your patterns for the slobber straps and I have printed them out. As I am new to leatherworking I am not sure how weights of leather compare to thicknesses. Would it be possible for you to measure the thickness of the 8-10oz leather for me in millimetres? This would give me a good idea of weight to thickness ratio. I have some 3mm thick leather here but not sure if it would be suitable used single ply and may be too thick if doubled and stitched. Thank you again, Littlelou Hi Littlelou, My leather is about 4.5 mm thick... I don't see why the stuff you have wouldn't work though! Just as a rough guide, (sorry, all I'm really familiar with is inches) 1/64 of an inch approximately equals 1 oz. That is, 8-10 oz leather would be roughly 8/64 to 10/64 of an inch thick. Let me know if you need help with anything else! Kara LeaninLadder Leather Alberta, Canada Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted May 6, 2010 Hopefully the attached US/UK/European leather thickness and weight chart will help. Feel free to drop me a PM if you need any UK help, LittleLou. Ray Leather thickness - weight chart.doc Leather thickness - weight chart.doc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlelou Report post Posted May 6, 2010 Hi Kara, Thank you for all that information re thicknesses and weights. Yes I prefer to work in inches too. Using your pattern I made a pair of slobber straps yesterday, the long ones, and am very pleased with the result although they are not perfect yet. I used a sharp craft knife to cut the first one out but it seemed to take ages, so the next one I cut out with a pair of sharp scissors and the edges seemed much better! I found the hole a challenge to cut, but have ordered a steel punch of the correct size so hopefully that will make things easier too. The 3mm thickness, which is sometimes slightly thicker, does seem ok. Once I have some more spare time (juggling work, horses, dogs, housework etc!) I will attempt another pair. Thank you again for all your help, Littlelou Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
