Members vwdoyle Posted January 17, 2014 Members Report Posted January 17, 2014 Hello! I was hoping someone could share with me how to make my own leather cord. I have heard of people doing it but can't seem to find out anywhere how. I was thinking that it may be the same process as sewing rounds from Al Stohlman's book but the end result doesn't seem to be the same. Any help would be great. Thank you! Quote
Members vwdoyle Posted January 23, 2014 Author Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 Is there a leather fairy that makes this stuff? Quote
Members shtoink Posted January 23, 2014 Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 I'm surprised that no one else has answered this... I'm not sure if it's the only way, but I do know of one tool that is meant for just that type of thing. It's called a rein-rounder. It's effectively a piece of metal, or some other hard material, that has a series of increasingly smaller holes in a line in it. They typically have two halves that are bisected along the series of holes so that material can be placed in it that is not round that you desire to be so. You work your strip of leather back and forth through the holes until the desired size is reached. I'm certain that I am leaving out a few important details, but the link above can at least show you what they look like and you might be able to find out some more details on how they work. The only other option I can think of is to make your own lace and then run one of those curved edge trimming tools that I can remember the name of before coffee has kicked in. That method doesn't compress the leather and may leave it weaker than you want, so there's that. Hopefully this points you in the right direction. I know that rein rounders can be expensive to purchase so if your are handy with tools, you might be able to experiment in the garage/shop with your drill press and some hardwood to see if it'll do you want until you decide to purchase one. Considering you are in here asking stuff, DIY doesn't seem like that far fetched of an assumption. Quote
Members oltoot Posted January 23, 2014 Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 Shtoink gave some valuable tips for finishing it, but how do you start? Here's one way: First decide what size you want it to be. If 1/2 then find a piece of leather. Best for this is a strip from the back of a side of strap or skirting. If you have some real dry tanned harness, that can work, too. By cutting carefully, you should end up with a piece that is about 1/16 bigger than the cord you are targeting and square. Then case it and come back to it when it is almost dry. Next edge all four sides with what you have. Depending on the tools you have, you will end up with a piece that is almost round allready or one that has X number of flat sides with sharp angles of interception. or somewhere inbetween. This is the piece that you start attacking as Shtoink has described. Quote
Members vwdoyle Posted January 23, 2014 Author Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 Thank you both very much for your help. Quote
Members shtoink Posted January 23, 2014 Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 Thank you oltoot, I knew that there were some details missing... Quote
Members TXAG Posted January 23, 2014 Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 How does it stay round like that after putting it through the rein rounder? It doesn't appear to be sewn together at the seam or anything like that... Quote
Members oltoot Posted January 23, 2014 Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 You see well. It (cord) is not sewn anywhere. The edges are actually forcefully rubbed into the surrounding part of the cord to be and become part of another part Quote
Members TXAG Posted January 23, 2014 Members Report Posted January 23, 2014 Hmmmm.....I guess I need to see a video of someone doing this with a rein rounder...I can't figure how it would just sort of "become one" with itself that way... Quote
Contributing Member Bob Blea Posted January 23, 2014 Contributing Member Report Posted January 23, 2014 It sounds like your using the rein rounder like a burnisher, like you are burnishing an edge. That makes sense, but I have a question: If you edge the strap on all four corners, don't you end up taking most of the grain surface off the leather? Seems like that would leave the cord kind of weak? Quote There are always possibilities.... Bob Blea C and B Leathercrafts Fort Collins, CO Visit my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CandBLeather?ref=si_shop Instagram @bobbleacandbleather
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