GaryCs Report post Posted September 17, 2011 How do you get 12 foot flat reins out of a 7 foot cowhide? I am a newbie, obviously, and have been asked to make some flat reins that are 12 foot long. Where do I start? My hides are only 7 feet long, makes sense to get 12 foot you need to splice or join them somewhere, right? Help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted September 17, 2011 Sounds like they want check lines to drive with rather than reins. Yes you will have to splice them to get a 12 foot length. I generally make a lap splice about 4 inches long and sew them togeather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GaryCs Report post Posted September 17, 2011 Sounds like they want check lines to drive with rather than reins. Yes you will have to splice them to get a 12 foot length. I generally make a lap splice about 4 inches long and sew them togeather. I'm not sure what he wants to use them for, just that he wants 12 foot reins! I appreciate the feedback as I am very new into this but this area of leatherwork seems to be growing in our area and I guess I am going to have to keep up with it. And boy do I have a lot to learn... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
busted Report post Posted September 18, 2011 How do you get 12 foot flat reins out of a 7 foot cowhide? I am a newbie, obviously, and have been asked to make some flat reins that are 12 foot long. Where do I start? My hides are only 7 feet long, makes sense to get 12 foot you need to splice or join them somewhere, right? Help. 12 foot is no problem. You could make continuous 31 feet if the hide is large enough. The hide needs to be around 20 sq feet or more. Cut all of the odd shapes off of the hide. Cut the belly off too. Keep the back straight and round both ends of the hide kind'a like a very large oval. Don't try and make a pattern of any kind just a large oval. Once you get to this step you need to make up your mind as to the width of the reins. 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", or 1". Keep the hide on a table so it doesn't bounce up and down on ya'. Cut them as long as you want and as many as you want. A creaser is a great help when you are finished cutting and edging. Have fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tinneal Report post Posted October 9, 2011 I made a set of 25' x 1" driving lines for a friend. I just took straight straps off the hide, and spliced them together until they were long enough. I think I did an overlap of between 3 and 4 inches, with 3 rows of stitching. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181734_178715735504690_178694752173455_408180_298541_n.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
