Need A Strap Cutter

[Dallas Cowboy]

Ok i want to cut my own belt blanks and need to know if i should just buy a cheapie from Tandy or should i spend the extra money on a more expensive one from Bruce? Or is using a razor knife with a straight edge just as good? Thanks DC

[Sylvia]

You'll find that a strap cutter from tandy will give you strap just fine Except... they will sometimes be slightly larger than the intended size. Nothing too big... but I find that when I set it for 1.5 inches.... I sometimes get 1 9/16" because of the cutter and the torque of pulling it.

Something to think about as you weigh your options.

Edited May 24, 2012 by Sylvia

[dirtclod]

I've used one of the wooden ones for close to 20 years and never had any problems with it. I have more costly ones but i use the wood one for most ever thing.

[pete]

I use the Tandy wood one- it's fine.

TIP: I have 5-6 strips cut to exact measurements and labeled. 1" all the way to 2" and many in between. I punched a hole and strung them onto a piece of string. I never guess anymore as to cutting widths as I put the strip into the tool and slide it up tight and lock in place.

I too had trouble when I first got it as the"ruler " on the side wasn't very accurate.

pete

[Jax]

Hi, Ive had a wooden strap cutter from Tandy for years and it's always served me well in fact I use it far more than my plough gauge apart from on very heavy leathers where I found the blades tended to break. Good luck with the belt making

[Art]

If you are going to buy a draw gauge or a strap cutter then the wooden one (they once were metal, I have two) from Tandy will work ok. A Dixon or Blanchard Plow Gauge will be a once bought investment, and they work better too, especially on anything over an inch. If you can go the distance, get Terry to make you a knife for it.

Art

Ok i want to cut my own belt blanks and need to know if i should just buy a cheapie from Tandy or should i spend the extra money on a more expensive one from Bruce? Or is using a razor knife with a straight edge just as good? Thanks DC

[SandSquid]

I used "The Original Strap Cutter" for almost two hours straight yesterday and was duly impressed.

My Mentor warned me that if I were to buy one, NOT to by the Tandy because thought it looks the same at first glance, it has been "cost optimized" down to a shadow of the original product.

A visit to Tandy readily confirmed this, no comparison in construction fit & finish and hardware/fittings

Edited May 25, 2012 by SandSquid

[Glendon]

Yep, there really is only one problem I've found with the wooden strap cutter. With smaller scraps, it can be tricky to keep a solid grip on the handle. I'm thinking the pistol grip on the metal draw gauges would make those jobs easier.

[Mike516]

I have the new and unimproved wooden Tandy one. It may be cheaper than the old one and cheaper than the other brands, but I'm new to this and still haven't had any problems with it. Matter of fact, I really like it.

One thing I would mention, as someone was having issues with this cutter some time ago, is that it will only cut as straight as your first edge. If you get an uneven hide, you have to cut a straight edge with a long ruler and a good knife or the strap cutter won't work.

[idlewilder]

So, what is the best way (or some supporting techniques) to getting that first edge to be straight? I've got plenty of 12" rulers, and even an 18" square, but even a yard stick isn't long enough to cut a 50" strap. Should I get some of those small 38 lb (2 in) clamps from home depot, and clamp 2 yard sticks to the leather and the table?