Moderator Johanna Posted April 17, 2008 Moderator Report Posted April 17, 2008 By now everyone has noticed that you don't cut a 1 1/2 inch strap for a 1 1/2 inch buckle. It won't fit. Straps have to be cut an RCH smaller than the buckle. If you have used a strap cutter before, you have also noticed that the measurements on the arm don't mean much compared to the actual size strap you are about to cut. Here's what to do: Get a few pieces of scrap and some buckles, and make a short strap to fit each size buckle. Write the magic number on the backs with a Sharpie, punch a hole through them and tie them together. The next time you need to cut a 1 1/4 inch strap for a belt, simply slide your 1 1/4 template scrap strap into the strap cutter, and tighten the screw. No guesswork or measuring involved, just cut your strap. If you make a lot of belts, the few minutes invested making this cheat pays off. Johanna Quote You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain
JohnD Posted April 18, 2008 Report Posted April 18, 2008 Nice, Thanks for the tip Johanna. The things people ask me for the most are belts, to the point where I was debating whether or not to just start buying blanks. This tip will come in handy. Thanks again. John Quote (rdb):God looked down at the world, and said "See, right there in Witchita, next to the railroad tracks, I didn't put enough dandelions".
Members Justis Cases Posted April 20, 2008 Members Report Posted April 20, 2008 By now everyone has noticed that you don't cut a 1 1/2 inch strap for a 1 1/2 inch buckle. It won't fit. Straps have to be cut an RCH smaller than the buckle. If you have used a strap cutter before, you have also noticed that the measurements on the arm don't mean much compared to the actual size strap you are about to cut. Here's what to do: Get a few pieces of scrap and some buckles, and make a short strap to fit each size buckle. Write the magic number on the backs with a Sharpie, punch a hole through them and tie them together. The next time you need to cut a 1 1/4 inch strap for a belt, simply slide your 1 1/4 template scrap strap into the strap cutter, and tighten the screw. No guesswork or measuring involved, just cut your strap. If you make a lot of belts, the few minutes invested making this cheat pays off. Johanna I agree with everything you said except I cut mine a BCH smaller than the buckle....The RCH makes it too loose..... Quote Jack, JUSTIS CASES
howardb Posted May 3, 2008 Report Posted May 3, 2008 Just saw this. Friggin' brilliant! Gonna do it for sure. I've got some scraps of heavy vinyl that I've been wondering what to use for and this would be perfect. Brent Quote Brent Howard CALG, HLG
yaklady Posted May 4, 2008 Report Posted May 4, 2008 Hey Johanna, that's great advice! Mind if I use that in my newsletter? I'll give you the credit. Kathy Quote All bad yaks make their way to the freezer.
Members Leerwerker Posted May 4, 2008 Members Report Posted May 4, 2008 Help out a bit please: I dont get RCH and BCH! Haven't seen that yet in my ten years in the States.... Quote JOhan ------------------------------------------- ****Afrikaans: Leerwerker ***** ****Zulu: lesikhumba isisebenzi Latvian: ādas darba ņēmējs *****Russian: кожа работника ****English: Leatherworker ****Dutch: Lederbewerker ****Flemish: Leerbewerker ****Hebrew: עור פועל ****German: Leder Handwerker ****Hungarian: Bőrdíszműves ****Turkish: deri işçisi ****French: Artisan du Cuir ****Spanish: Artesano de Cuero ****Norwegian: Skinn kunstners ****Swedish: Läderhantverkare ****Greek: δερμάτινα εργαζόμενος Sotho: mosebeletsi oa letlalo
Hilly Posted May 4, 2008 Report Posted May 4, 2008 Help out a bit please: I dont get RCH and BCH! Haven't seen that yet in my ten years in the States.... LOL! I had the same question yesterday. A PM to Johanna gave me the answers I was seeking! Quote
Moderator Johanna Posted May 4, 2008 Author Moderator Report Posted May 4, 2008 An "RCH" is an amount that is very small, but not inconsequential. Kathy- what newsletter? How can I get a newsletter? Of course you can share the strap cutter cheat. In the shop, time is money. Anyone who has ever shaved a 1/8 inch of a belt blank to fit the buckle on properly might find this one handy. Johanna Quote You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain
yaklady Posted May 5, 2008 Report Posted May 5, 2008 An "RCH" is an amount that is very small, but not inconsequential. Kathy- what newsletter? How can I get a newsletter? Of course you can share the strap cutter cheat. In the shop, time is money. Anyone who has ever shaved a 1/8 inch of a belt blank to fit the buckle on properly might find this one handy. Johanna Johanna, I'm the Circulation Manager for Columbine Leather Guild, and I write all the newsletters for them. My newsletters are not quite like traditional newsletters. I like to make them a bit more interesting and use my past pet pig Pinky to write some of the columns in it. If you want a sample one, just send me your address and I'll mail you one. This last one was kinda boring, as I didn't have anything to write about and I was trying to complete my competition item for Sheridan, but next month's will have my exciting report on the Sheridan show. I leave that one up to Pinky (Ghost Writer in the Sty) and it can be amuzing. I should have freak write columns for me, that would be very amuzing. If you like the newsletters, and want one every month, all you have to do it become an Associate member of Columbine! Thanks for the great tip! Kathy Quote All bad yaks make their way to the freezer.
Moderator Johanna Posted May 5, 2008 Author Moderator Report Posted May 5, 2008 Johanna Schroer PO Box 103 New Knoxville, OH 45871 (Now, no one else be silly enough to post your snail mail addy in public!) Why don't you post a "how to be an associate member of Columbine" thread in resources? You'll probably get quite a few takers...who can resist ghost writers in the sty? Johanna Quote You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. - Mark Twain
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