Best Way To Cut Pigskin Lining.

[Mike516]

Bill,

I have a aluminum drywall "T" square four foot long. I hook the "T" end over the edge of my cutting table end, move the leather under it, cut with the rotary cutter.

Works real well most of the time.

ferg

That's what I use as well. Haven't had any major issues with it. I usually use a utility knife with the snap off blades and use a fresh blade for every one or two cuts.

[Invasion]

That's what I use as well. Haven't had any major issues with it. I usually use a utility knife with the snap off blades and use a fresh blade for every one or two cuts.

Do you use this method to cut straps from thicker leather as well..after a few uneven belts with a wooden strap cutter, I'm thinking of using long straight edge and one of those cutters that looks like a pizza cutter.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Invasion

[Mike516]

No, this is only for the first cut. After that I use a strap cutter.

I like the wood strap cutter but you have to line up your measurement again and tighten the thumb screw after each cut. If you're forcing it you can still get an uneven cut because the guide can still move inside the handle.

You have to use some finesse to keep the leather from binding which is what will ruin your belts.

How uneven are your belts? I'm making leather dog collars and they're never perfectly exactly even. They're not noticeably crooked or anything like they're cut with a sawzall, but they do have that rustic look. My customers love them and anyone that wants an exactly even straight as an arrow line I suggest that handmade might not be for them and I will often recommend they buy the stuff made overseas on machines.

[Invasion]

No, this is only for the first cut. After that I use a strap cutter.

I like the wood strap cutter but you have to line up your measurement again and tighten the thumb screw after each cut. If you're forcing it you can still get an uneven cut because the guide can still move inside the handle.

You have to use some finesse to keep the leather from binding which is what will ruin your belts.

How uneven are your belts? I'm making leather dog collars and they're never perfectly exactly even. They're not noticeably crooked or anything like they're cut with a sawzall, but they do have that rustic look. My customers love them and anyone that wants an exactly even straight as an arrow line I suggest that handmade might not be for them and I will often recommend they buy the stuff made overseas on machines.

Does the precut help guide the strap cutter? I have the wooden one as well. My belts are not to bad, just get narrower by about 1-2mm; to be honest I notice it, but I don't think anyone else would...hopefully

I was making a collar today and lining with pigskin I cut a 2 inch wide strip the folded it over 1/2 inch each side. the idea being that if the edge comes unbonded from the bridle collar it will still look finished. First time cutting pig skin found it a little tricky to be honest. I am hoping with a roller cutter I will be able to cut nice straight 2 inch strips.

[Mike516]

Yes, I'm making the first cut with my straight edge and using it to guide the strap cutter. That first cut is the most important. If that's off, every cut after that will be off. And if you mess up the edge of the leather with the strap cutter, you have to straighten it out again before you can cut any more straight strips. I'm cutting 2/3oz and 6/7oz cowhide. Pigskin I'd use the roller cutter and a no skid ruler. I don't know if a strap cutter would work on pigskin I never tried it. Shears are good too if you have good quality ones. I found a box of Weiss shears at an estate sale that work really well. They keep an edge, but if you can find a good set of bend shears that'll probably be your best bet, especially if you're hiding the edges of the pigskin anyway.

[Matt T]

Another option is to use double horse front leather from Horween for the liner. They have it in three grades, and one of them is a lining grade. It is 2-2.5 oz.