Help! How Do I Put A Blade In My Strap Cutter? And Then Put It Back Together?

[veedub3]

Yeah I saw it was posted yesterday but you did a very good job at explaining it unlike the shop that sold it to me. My problem was that I could not get the blade to go into the bottom part, and I wasn't even sure if it was supposed to go there. I went to Youtube but only found videos of them being used, none of it being set up, so I just kept messing with it and finally I got the blade to slide in the bottom and was able to cut a strap I will use for my first camera strap.

[Cyberthrasher]

yeah, they could definitely use a hair wider slot on that. It holds the blade securely, but not very fun to get in there.

[Northmount]

How long's your blade? I know some people leave a little exposed to pull up a fresh section, but I just put the whole thing in there so it's all covered by the wood.

The blade is just slightly over 1", maybe a 64th if I could read it! When set to cut a 3 to 4 oz strip and with the blade flush with the bottom side, the top of the blade is proud by 1/8". When adjusting for thinner leather, if you accidentally place your finger or thumb above the blade (when the end is buried, not visible) and squeeze, you suddenly have a nice clean cut when the blade rises above the surface. Possibly the newer models have thicker guide bars, then there would be less chance of cutting yourself since the blade would be fully buried.

Any how, it hasn't got me since adding the little leather flaps!

Tom

[Cyberthrasher]

Any how, it hasn't got me since adding the little leather flaps!

Tom

put those photo skills to use and post some pictures

I think they might have made the crossbar bigger since I adjusted it for some thick paper once and don't remember the blade sticking out, but that was such a quick little use I don't really remember how it looked.

[bruce johnson]

I have my choice of strap cutters and still use a wooden cutter for some things. I like them for most chrome tans and soft leather, and narrow straps from latigo and veg tan. Places that are just a little tougher with a draw gauge or plough gauge. I use razor blades in mine, and strop them before I put a new one in. I have used these for up to skirting on one that tracks true (they don't all do that). The razor blades will definitely stick up. I put a new blade flush to the bottom and tighten the bottom screw. Then I squeeze the bars together and take a pliers and break off the excess that sticks above the top bar. I leave the top bar screw a little loose to allow some slide on the blade for adjusting to thickness.

[Cyberthrasher]

I leave the top bar screw a little loose to allow some slide on the blade for adjusting to thickness.

Do you ever find it opens up on you at all while you're pulling the leather through? I usually slip it over the end of my leather and then make sure the thickness is set right from there, but I also occasionally leave marks because it's not quite loose enough.

[bruce johnson]

The only time I have it open up is when the front screw wasn't tight. I use a pair of pliers now and haven't had a problem. That puts enough hurt on the bars they aren't moving.

[Northmount]

put those photo skills to use and post some pictures

Here are the pics.

So if the blade sticks out, either cover it to protect your fingers, or do as Bruce says and snap off the excess so it will be buried below the top of the bar.

Tom

[Cyberthrasher]

Your crossbars do appear to be quite a bit thinner (from memory since I'm at the office right now). I know some people who would still be able to cut themselves there, but that should do a fine job at preventing the common sense folks from an accident

[Northmount]

Your crossbars do appear to be quite a bit thinner (from memory since I'm at the office right now). I know some people who would still be able to cut themselves there, but that should do a fine job at preventing the common sense folks from an accident

Yup, the leather flap reminds you there is something under it that you need to watch out for.