Cutting Thin And Narrow Laces

[lazybum]

Any of you have experience with cutting thin and narrow laces? I'm trying to cut some laces of around 2mm width from 2-3 oz (tooling) leather and am experiencing some difficulty. I'm trying to cut my laces using a strap cutter as seen from this vid

Basically the laces don't end up being even in width. Im not sure where the problem lies. Do i need more practice with the strap cutter? Or is the strap cutter not suitable for cutting thin and narrow laces? Will a lacemaker or a strander help me make more even laces?

[lazybum]

Sorry I meant 3mm in width.

Somehow I can't seem to edit the first post?

[rawhide1]

I'm not sure how wide 3mm but trying to use a strap cutter on stuff that thin is a pain in the rear. It can be done but it is a pain. You would be better served to rig up a lace cutter. Which could be as simple as a block of wood with a nailhead drove in it for a guide and a razor blade pushed into the wood at the desired width. I think someone posted some pictures and a how to somewhere on the forum.

Mike

[lazybum]

Thanks for the reply Mike!

Ok at least now I know that the problem lies with the tool and not me

Maybe ill rig one myself next time but at the moment I think I would prefer a proper tool that is more reliable. What do you guys suggest as the best tool for making thin laces? The aussie strander or the lace maker?

The strander seems more appealing at the moment since its more versatile. But then again i'm worried that it will be difficult to use.

Is this how you guys cut laces with the aussie strander? The way it is in the vid it looks a little difficult to use

Edited April 6, 2011 by lazybum

[roo4u]

yeah thats not the right kind of cutter...you can use a lacemaker from tandy....good for cutting lace from circles. an aussie strander ive never used but lots of people do...check out this link for lace cutting how to...

[Hollywood]

G'Day L'B..

The Aussie Strander is by far the easiest you can use it on your forefinger or put it in a vice and use two hands to guide the Hide through ..

It has one major fault , the guide is a little bit loose and if your Knot careful the cut strand can slip under the guide and sever itself. Not Good..

Like dancing if you dont try it you will never know.... ( Excuse my Aussie Humour it takes a while to get used to..

The lace maker works from the inside out. okay but you need to form a circular disc for it to work well , But, if you are cutting Kangaroo Hide @ approx $100 .00 a hide you want to cut from the outside in ( Similiar to a pear shape)soas knot to waste any leather

I personally use the strander to cut the first cut / stretch the lace and then as a final procedure cut over a round diameter rod. ( There are a few of these illustrated in various Mags ) This keeps the strand down flat and firm

Hope this helps , if not just clarify misunderstanding

J:Holysheep:

Thanks for the reply Mike!

Ok at least now I know that the problem lies with the tool and not me

Maybe ill rig one myself next time but at the moment I think I would prefer a proper tool that is more reliable. What do you guys suggest as the best tool for making thin laces? The aussie strander or the lace maker?

The strander seems more appealing at the moment since its more versatile. But then again i'm worried that it will be difficult to use.

Is this how you guys cut laces with the aussie strander? The way it is in the vid it looks a little difficult to use

[Luke Hatley]

The "lace cutter" from Tandy works best for me..But i have no luck with soft leather ,such as deerskin.

[lazybum]

Thanks for the reply. Maybe ill pick up both the next time haha.

Just checking is it very important for the hole to be as perfect a circle as possible for the lace maker to do its job well?

[8thsinner]

I tried to reply to this earlier on my phone but it doesn't like forums

It is not necessary to buy a perfectly round punch for example, I usually use the top of a herb container as a drawer for my centre cutting, there is usually a hold right in the middle where a nail can go through to get an exact centre placement. I don't always cut the outer side perfectly round either, i try to work in as much of the leather as possible. as long as it is not too out of balance it can rotate easily enough.

I usually cut the centre out of the leather with a swiss card knife, or scissors again from the swiss card and the outer I make around dinner plates.

Also with the lace maker, it can be used on the outside of skins like roo which is fairly stiff, but I have even done it with soft and worn sofa leather. I would not recommend this without some practice though, it's slow work and very tricky to remain constant.

Most people differ on how they cut, but here is my way.

Cut to width + 1/2mm or so

Soak and stretch

Split

Soak and stretch Make sure you get as much stretch out as possible

Cut to final width, I would bevel here if I had the tools.

I use a home made splitter, which works well but doesn't have an accurate measuring system, I just go by feel and don't adjust it too much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K14tBUerACc

But you are better going to the braiding forum and looking around, there are lots of opinions on tools and methods best for different uses.

[Suicide]

I tried to reply to this earlier on my phone but it doesn't like forums

It is not necessary to buy a perfectly round punch for example, I usually use the top of a herb container as a drawer for my centre cutting, there is usually a hold right in the middle where a nail can go through to get an exact centre placement. I don't always cut the outer side perfectly round either, i try to work in as much of the leather as possible. as long as it is not too out of balance it can rotate easily enough.

Just my $0.02: it is ABSOLUTELY NOT NECESSARY to make a circle to start with Tandy's lace maker. That tool can follow ANY of edge you use against. Thus you can cut laces from any shape of ... even pulling it along the skin's edge (for instance like you usually suppose to do with another lace tools - Aussie for ex). Yep, it is better to cut laces using circle as starting shape (because of stretching leather's ability), but not essential. The only thing this tool doesn't like is any kinf of angles and sharp turns of the edge, but anyway, if you pass such point slowly and gracefully , you'll get a jackpot.

Edited December 9, 2011 by Suicide