The Best Way To Cut And Trim Stingray?

[SloeRyderTack]

What do you recommend is the easiest and best way to cut out patterns for stingray and to trim them, right now I'm using scissors and the cut is uneven and rough. Any advice?

Edited December 2, 2011 by SloeRyderTack

[NatesCustomHolsters]

the only way I can do it smoothly is to lay it down rough side up, then cut through it with a razor blade (utility knife). then after that you can glue it to another layer of leather, sand the edges smooth, then burnish it just like anything else.

best bet is to use it as an underlayment though to cover up the edges. Its also very hard to sew through evenly without the beads popping off randomly.

-Nate

[Spinner]

If you plan to do enough stingray work to justify another tool, get a good pair of trimmers instead of shears or scissors. While they look identical, trimmers tend to have heavier & sharper blades and require less sharpening. I use my Gingher trimmers to cut stingray with no fuss, they just slice right through the pebbles and hide. They'll be an investment versus other types of scissors (they run about $45 for a 10" pair) but Joann's usually sends out 50% coupons regularly so if yuo watch for it you can get them for $22+/-.

I use it as an underlayment as Nate mentioned and cut it 3/8" larger on all sides. Once cut, I use a dremel with a 100 grit sanding barrel to sand the the pebbles down to the hide in that extra 3/8" which makes sewing a breeze. A little more prep work makes the sewing much easier. Once sewn, trim any excess if necessary.

[SloeRyderTack]

If you plan to do enough stingray work to justify another tool, get a good pair of trimmers instead of shears or scissors. While they look identical, trimmers tend to have heavier & sharper blades and require less sharpening. I use my Gingher trimmers to cut stingray with no fuss, they just slice right through the pebbles and hide. They'll be an investment versus other types of scissors (they run about $45 for a 10" pair) but Joann's usually sends out 50% coupons regularly so if yuo watch for it you can get them for $22+/-.

I use it as an underlayment as Nate mentioned and cut it 3/8" larger on all sides. Once cut, I use a dremel with a 100 grit sanding barrel to sand the the pebbles down to the hide in that extra 3/8" which makes sewing a breeze. A little more prep work makes the sewing much easier. Once sewn, trim any excess if necessary.

I didn't think about a Dremel tool to sand that's a good idea. I've also been cutting out a bit larger than the pattern that way I can trim down to make sure the fit is correct.

[JoelR]

Dremmel tool with a fiber-reinforced cutting wheel and a sacrificial wooden backing. Warning, do it outside or your place will smell like burning flesh...

[BevJones]

I also heard to wear a mask as you do not want to breathe that calcium dust into your lungs...

[JS22]

Cut that booger with serrated tin snips. Cuts like butter and you can be very precise. Sand the edges with a belt sander or dremel but as already stated, avoid the dust.

Good luck!

[sterling stingray]

Have to agree with js22 , tin snips work great and slice through like butter. Other techniques are to labor intensive or ruin tools.

[MuddyClearWaters]

Yes heavy snippers or tin shears will work great. I use a dremel tool to finish all of my edges. and yes wear a mask.