optimusrob Report post Posted April 10, 2013 Hi everyone, I just joined the forum, and thought this would be the place to ask about a certain tool. I've been making blood braid dog leashes for friends and family, and am trying to increase my productivity by finding a tool that can make ~1.5" cuts in the center of a 3/4" strap. Right now, more than half my time goes into measuring because the spacing has to be exact for the leashes to turn out well. Is there anything you can think of that would help me put these cuts down the middle of a strap? (they need to be spaced ~1/2") I punch every slit in the strap by hand..maybe there is a roller or something on a wheel that I could crank the strap through that would cut it the way I need? Thanks for your help, look forward to contributing to this community Rob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted April 10, 2013 Rob, I did a bunch of those several years ago for a wholesale acct along wioth hackamore hangers too. I had a jig I made up from a stiff strap leather and tacks through it to mark the positions on the slits. a quick roll over the jig with a wall paper wheel and the points transferrred. I bought a cheap set of wood chisels and sharpened them up. I punched the slotsbetween the points with those and it worked well, Someone may be able to make you up a wheel with a chisel point and the spacing, but then you'd be looking at those machining costs plus a crank tool to run it on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfcdan Report post Posted April 10, 2013 I normally do something similar to Bruce, but a bit different. I usually go to Tap Plastics, I have them cut me a piece of plastic. I usually get the cheap plastic, but it has to be at least 3/16 thick. I then mark holes where I need marking. This is very efficient for repetitive work. As far as chisels, I like Bruce's idea. Good luck with your productivity. Daniel Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
optimusrob Report post Posted April 10, 2013 Thanks for the quick responses. Daniel, I like your idea of using something more solid than leather to make your stencil. Bruce, your wood chisel idea is something that I've looked into and im happy to know that it would work if I decided to go down that path. Would there be people here that would be interested in a machine that could do this? I'm seriously considering eating the machining costs to make my life easier Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
