Calculating Approx. String Length

[bex DK]

I want to try to do some simple braiding. My main reference is Grant's Leather Braiding.

For most of you this is a stupid question, but how do you calculate how long each strand needs to be from the desired final length?

My husband has requested a roping rein, which makes a great first big project for me. Since it's for him, he's bound to love it even if I mess up a little. I am not sure whether I will be doing 4, 6, or 8 strand--depends on what he decides as the thickness. But I can't really afford to waste a ton of leather and would hate to have braided a whole bunch just to find out I cut my strings too short. Hence the question. How long strings?

I would also appreciate advice on the overall length for a roping rein. We're used to split reins and it seems like lots of lengths available, so it is hard to choose. He rides a pretty big paint horse (she's 155cm at the withers).

Thanks for any tips you can give me. Google didn't turn up much, so I thought I'd be better off asking the people who have plenty of practice.

Thanks!

Rebecca

[Aggiebraider]

Well, as with just about everything in life it all kinda depends. The length of roping reins typically runs from 8-9' depending on size of the horse and personal preference. I would suggest getting some cheap nylon rope and making up a mock set of reins (no braiding just run it from one side to the other) and actually put it on your horse and see what is comfortable. A good rule of thumb for string length is 2.5 times longer than the desired finished length. So if you were making 8 ft reins, you would make the strings 20ft long. Now if you are doubling the string over to make a loop, say going from 4 strand round to 8 strand round, then you would double your 2.5 times, making it 5 times larger. Once you have braided more, you will get a feel for how tight you pull, angle of braids, and everything else that contributes to string length and can then make adjustments on your measurements so you arent cutting off so much scrap on future projects.

I am assuming you are going to make the reins round, and if so I wouldnt use the 4 strand braid, its too small and the width of string you would have to use wouldnt look very nice. I would get some round leather belting (used on treadle sewing machines) and do atleast 8 strand braid around them. The belting acts as a good core, and adds some weight to the reins as well. You could make these just like a normal set of romal reins without attaching the romal.

I hope this helps and if you have any other questions ask away

CW

[roo4u]

as a general rule i do 1.5 times the finished length...or 3 times if doubling the strings over.plus a little bit extra on the ends for finishing, amount will vary depending on how ends will be finished. below is the general rule on strings length taken from gail houghts website.

General rule for plaiting string length and string width. String length, for any number of plaiting (4,6,8,12,16), needs to be 1½ the finished length of the item being braided plus the length needed at each end, which will differ with each project. Another factor effecting string length is each braider’s individual style. If a braider tends to pull the strings outward, they will need a slightly longer length; and if a braider pulls the strings downward, forming sharper V’s, they will need slightly less length. This would probably only be apparent in a longer project.

Most projects will need an extra 6” - 12” to work with at each end. I suggest you leave a little more than that at each end until you are comfortable with how much string your style requires.

The same general rule of 1½ applies to string width. Added together, the total width of the strings needs to be 1½ times the necessary circumference of the item to be plaited. Note: this may vary depending how much the material stretches and narrows as it being braided.

Fig. 1 is a dog collar plaited in 4 plait and the extra string is needed to splice the ends in on the turn back.

Again no matter how many plait is being braided the rule is the same.

1 ½ times the desired finished length plus the length needed at each end.

[Leatherpownder]

as a general rule i do 1.5 times the finished length...or 3 times if doubling the strings over.plus a little bit extra on the ends for finishing, amount will vary depending on how ends will be finished. below is the general rule on strings length taken from gail houghts website.

General rule for plaiting string length and string width. String length, for any number of plaiting (4,6,8,12,16), needs to be 1½ the finished length of the item being braided plus the length needed at each end, which will differ with each project. Another factor effecting string length is each braider's individual style. If a braider tends to pull the strings outward, they will need a slightly longer length; and if a braider pulls the strings downward, forming sharper V's, they will need slightly less length. This would probably only be apparent in a longer project.

Most projects will need an extra 6" - 12" to work with at each end. I suggest you leave a little more than that at each end until you are comfortable with how much string your style requires.

The same general rule of 1½ applies to string width. Added together, the total width of the strings needs to be 1½ times the necessary circumference of the item to be plaited. Note: this may vary depending how much the material stretches and narrows as it being braided.

Fig. 1 is a dog collar plaited in 4 plait and the extra string is needed to splice the ends in on the turn back.

Again no matter how many plait is being braided the rule is the same.

1 ½ times the desired finished length plus the length needed at each end.

I'm with you Roo on those figures.

[bex DK]

Thanks. We were thinking of using rope for the core, but will check if we can get rounded leather at a good thickness. Most of what we have seen is too thick.

The hubby has a set of 4-strand braided split reins he picked up in Canada on a trip years ago that look great. But to do that he'd have to cut the thongs, since they'd need to be wider than what I can get on the roll.

Grant says the width of the thongs used should total the circumference of the core. Is this correct? Are there times it "works" when they are wider even if not ideal? Studying the 4strands he has, they look like the strands are about 1cm each, but the circumference isn't 4 cm. So that really confused me.

I've never braided on a core before, but I've done some 4 and 6 without cores. Have also done a lot of edge braiding, but that is much different.

The hubby will have to get trying on his horse before I do any cutting or braiding to figure out the length.

Thanks again for the advice!

[roo4u]

i know that grant said it should equal....but that never works for me....i would go with 1 1/2 times also on width...this is what gail hought recommends also.

[bex DK]

Thanks. That also makes it easier to do a braid with more strands without stressing. Now the hubby just has to figure out his length and the supplier has to get lace home for me. I may try making a key ring or something else small first just to make sure I can make it work before I cut and start on such a large project. But I have to learn sometime...

[roo4u]

well good luck with your braiding....caution its addictive!!! the hardest part of your rein will be the turnback.....but just ask lots of questions and we will all help you.

as to length on roping rein-that is just a matter of preference. some like to have a pretty short rein and grip it with no extra, while some like to have enough length that they can have decent slack and grip the reins sorta like split reins.....hope that makes sense.

[bex DK]

My plan was to just fold the ends back, whip them into place, and cover with osmething (like a decorative braid/knot if I can figure out how to do one). I have no idea how else I could do it. Can you point me at some online resources if another method would be better? The only braiding books I have are the Grant ones (leather braiding and how to make cowboy horse gear).