Mystery Braid Belt

[kc8290]

Hello - I tried to make a seven strap mystery braid belt yesterday and the hardest most time consuming part was cutting the seven strips (picture attached). So I thought I would ask the question on how others would do it.

I started out with a 2-5/8” wide strap. I then cut seven 3/8” strips using a utility knife. I tried using a Jerry's Stripper but found it too difficult to pull through the 10 oz harness leather. In all, it took me over two hours to cut the belt.

Any suggestions on how to more efficiently cut the strips would be appreciated. Perhaps I should use a round knife or curved edge trim knife. I don't have either but probably should buy.

Boy…It also took a long time to edge all of those braids. I did not bother burnishing because I was only practicing the braid.

Kind regards,

Ken

[bruce johnson]

This is one of the places a draw gauge really shines. You make a slit with your knife of choice where you want the cut to be and put the draw gauge blade up through that slit from the bottom. Then you just pull away. I have done them two ways, One was to set the width of the cut for the width of the strap and just hold the previous strands out of the way working from right to left. The other way that worked better for me was to make the width for the width of the strap minus the width of the strand. Make that cut and then readjust the blade for the width minus two strans, and work from left to right. I have never actually braided these, but several years ago cut quite a for a wholesale order for a group to braid.

For the bracelets I used a swivel knife in the border edge guide thing and marked out the strands that way. I finished the cuts with a round knife.

[kc8290]

Bruce - A draw gauge sounds like a winner! I have the wood draw gauge which is closed so I was not thinking of a draw gauge as being an option.... But an open blade draw guage would work perfectly. Duhhh...I should have known that.

I did not buy an open one because I'm left handed and most of the open blade draw gauges that I've seen seem to be used with the right hand. I could be wrong. I think Weaver has one that you can turn and make left handed.

Thank you.

[pete]

I can't seem to recall- is there a" formula" for the finished length (shrinkage)- or does it depend on the amount of strands?

pete

[kc8290]

I am not aware of a formula. It would be nice to have a formula that would take into consideration the number of strips (3, 5, 7, etc) , beginning and finished width, and thickness of the leather.

The way I did this one was to figure out the finished braid length I wanted. Then I added to it 1" inch for every 12". For this belt I wanted to end up with 30" of finished braid. Therefore I cut the seven strip 32.5" long (actually I rounded up to 33" long). The finished braid came out extactly 30". More experience may help to calculate better given the different variables. But I lucked out on this one.

The overall belt finished at 1-3/4" wide and I started with a 2-5/8" wide blank. I had to taper down the width of the buckle and tongue ends to eqaul the width of the braid. I need work doing that because it did not come out exact.

Edited February 2, 2011 by kc8290

[whinewine]

I can't seem to recall- is there a" formula" for the finished length (shrinkage)- or does it depend on the amount of strands?

pete

Yes, I know there is a formula somewhere- I think it is in one of the Bruce Grant books, but I'm nowhere near that area right now, so i can't really give an answer- I'll try to look for it maybe tomorrow, if I get back.

Sorry I can't give a definitive answer right now.

[Timd]

Funny, after first reading this thread, I happened to pick up the BSA leatherworking merit badge book, and it says for every 12" of braid, add 1"

[Luke Hatley]

You did very well on that belt. I have been doing the 3 strand ,i think i need to move a few.

[SueW]

Where do you get a draw gauge and how does it work? I am totally new at this and having an awful time cutting straight lines for the mystery braid!

Thanks, Sue

This is one of the places a draw gauge really shines. You make a slit with your knife of choice where you want the cut to be and put the draw gauge blade up through that slit from the bottom. Then you just pull away. I have done them two ways, One was to set the width of the cut for the width of the strap and just hold the previous strands out of the way working from right to left. The other way that worked better for me was to make the width for the width of the strap minus the width of the strand. Make that cut and then readjust the blade for the width minus two strans, and work from left to right. I have never actually braided these, but several years ago cut quite a for a wholesale order for a group to braid.

For the bracelets I used a swivel knife in the border edge guide thing and marked out the strands that way. I finished the cuts with a round knife.

[SueW]

Never mind! It seems a draw gauge and a strap cutter are basically the same thing.

Sue

Where do you get a draw gauge and how does it work? I am totally new at this and having an awful time cutting straight lines for the mystery braid!

Thanks, Sue

[Sylvia]

Bruce - A draw gauge sounds like a winner! I have the wood draw gauge which is closed so I was not thinking of a draw gauge as being an option.... But an open blade draw guage would work perfectly. Duhhh...I should have known that.

KC

I have seen people use the wooden strap cutter as a draw guage. You loosen the thing so you can smash the two arms together which allows the blade to come up. Take another blade and help the one in the cutter if you need to. Make your slit like Bruce says insert the strap cutter blade into the slit and away you go.

Here's the video.