Cutting Two Pieces Identical

[Eternal Custom Designs]

I'm making dog collars with two layers of 4-5 ounce veg tanned shoulders...what's the best way to cut them the same shape...I'm very new to the craft and don't have an abundance of tools...also should I cut down on the the tooling side or the grain side...thanks in advance...

Rob-B

[Cyberthrasher]

Cut one out to your desired shape, then cut the other one slightly oversized. Once they're attached, then you can come through and trim the big one to the exact shape of the other. If you try to cut them the same before attaching, you'll never get them lined up evenly. You'll want to make your cuts from the grain side, which is the tooling side. The back of the leather is called the "flesh".

[Eternal Custom Designs]

Thanks...very much so...I think just starting the cutting is the scariest part...lol..I financially can't afford to mess up...thanks again

[Cyberthrasher]

If you're scared of the cutting, I would suggest picking up some scrap bags to practice on. The key is to measure and check before you do it, then keep a good handle on your knife. Go slow and make sure the knife is SHARP

[Eternal Custom Designs]

Ty...will do

[Eternal Custom Designs]

Do you cut your leather wet? This collar on the top layer will have a name cut into it...all the way through to where the flesh side of the 2nd layer will be seen...any advice?

[TomG]

If you're making any type of dog collars, belts or other strap items, a strap cutter is the way to go. I do have a 6 foot long piece of cold roll steel I picked up that I use to make the my edge on a new side straight before I strap cut it.

For my lined belts and collars, I cut a full-length strap, use a splitter to make it the same thickness from end-to-end. Glue them together.

You have to develop a touch to make sure the edges are perfectly lined up when you put the glued faces together, but practice makes perfect.

Or, you can do what cyberthrasher said, and make one bigger than the other and trim. I always seem to screw up the edges when I try that though.. I always seem to forget to put pressure on my straight edge and the leather moves under it as I cut.

One trick I've used for the lined collars is to apply the contact cement and let it set. set one strap on its edge on my slab. Carefully line up the 2 ends and stick them together, then slowly join the resat of the strap, working from that end. The slab helps to line the edges up perfectly. Any slight variations go away with some sanding.

[Eternal Custom Designs]

Also what do you use to mark your pieces...sorry for the 20 ?s

[Eternal Custom Designs]

Thanks tom...very good to know

[Harag]

Also what do you use to mark your pieces...sorry for the 20 ?s

I use a pen or pencil if one is at hand since these will be the cut lines they won't show up, or you could use your pointy end of the modeling tool (which I also do).

when cutting your pattern from the main hide just rough extra spaces, then place your pattern on the piece you cut and mark out the shape. never try to cut the shape exactly from the hide. The extra bits you cut off can always be used for something - I use some bits to put under when I'm using a hole punch, or to practice painting on, or even lines with my swivel knife.

Like you, I'm also learning and found the leather expensive to learn with so I'm also careful at cutting out. I did try to cut a arm guard straight from the hide when I started and slipped with the knife, (Arrrhhh) and "wasted" about a foot of leather, hence the cutting extra around the basic pattern.

Hope this helps, from one noob to another noob.