Best Lace For Mexican Braid Please.

[shadowryder]

Hi,

I recently made a m/cycle tool roll for a buddy with mexican braid on both ends n round the edges,

I made my own lace for this job from pieces of scrap leather with a lace cutter,Although i got the job done

i had many problems with the back of the lace all balling up and the lace snapping on a regular basis {PITA}

Any how i have had requests from our bike club for 3 more of these So my question is what is the best lace

to use on this kind of job.

Before everyone shouts kangaroo I am working on tight budgets and cannot afford the stuff,

I also reside in the UK and find it difficult to source.

So basically which of these would one and all recommend for the job i,m doing :-

http://www.ebay.co.u...#ht_1415wt_1039

http://www.ebay.co.u...9#ht_3246wt_906

http://www.ebay.co.u...9#ht_500wt_1055

http://www.ebay.co.u...8#ht_1385wt_906

Thanks in advance

For any and all advice given,

JJ

[KnotHead]

This one looks good.

Lace

The grain in the leather looks to be by the photo of good quality and greased real well. Also, if you work with only a yard long piece of lace at a time, it will turn out much better.

Brian...

Edited February 20, 2012 by KnotHead

[shadowryder]

Hi,cheers for your reply,

I like the idea of 1 yard at a time but when i splice 2 ends together in the braid i find that piece becomes thicker than the other braid,

I,m real new at this and all advice would be real helpful,I am a long way from some of the great work i see on this site.

Thanks again for your help,

JJ.

[Suicide]

I like the idea of 1 yard at a time but when i splice 2 ends together in the braid i find that piece becomes thicker than the other braid,

Try to skive\split a bit the only these ends. I usually skive ends down to almost the only grain still there and then put them in between of leather pieces.

If I have the only single thickness I am lacing around (like for instance a flap of the bag), I use the technique described in "lacing and stitching for leathercarft" book.

I attached the pic. Use a very sharp exacto knife or scalpel for this and be carefull to do not punch through.

Edited February 21, 2012 by Suicide

[shadowryder]

Hi,

Thanks for that info,a great idea,

cheers

JJ

[Dwing8]

I've skived both ends before and carefully put a drop of superglue on the joint and bonded them together. It made a very strong connection and to see it you almost have to use a magnifying glass. I too am on a budget and I didn't want to waste material.

Good luck!

Dano

[shadowryder]

cool thanks,

JJ

[braider]

Hey shadowryder... I've done quite a number of these over the (40) years. I mostly use 4 ounce moccasin cowhide ...I have used garment cowhide. Maybe you could take a look at my work and see if you might then have any further questions about how I go about it.

http://www.andersonleather.com/motorcycle_leathers.html

...Dave

[shadowryder]

thanks for your advice all,

I will try the 5mm see how i get on.

Great work Dave..

JJ