tanglefoot Report post Posted April 21, 2014 So im trying to lay out my lacing holes before i transfer everything to leather. I found a thread once that explained how or had pictures i cant remember which. So attached is a picture of my seat pattern, the black pen line is my cut line the pencil line is/ might be my lacing line, I'm using 1/8" lace wanted to do a Mexican round braid. the problem i have been running into is how far apart/close together do i move the holes when going around a curve? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted April 22, 2014 You should be okay going around the smallest turn. Space your holes 1/8th apart and 1/8th from the edge and you'll get much better coverage through out the whole project. Brian... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tanglefoot Report post Posted April 22, 2014 I can adjust to that wont be a problem, I guess the real question is how to i keep the holes in like around the narrow part so the braid stays staright all the way around? do you recommend holes or slits? thank you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted April 22, 2014 I like the slits better. But that would require more lace and more time. I usually scribe a line at 1/8th from the edge with my dividers and then chisel my slits right below that line. The chisel in other words will just touch the line that is scribed. I also angle my chisel at 45 degrees. It is also better to chisel while the leather is wet just as you would in tooling leather and it is also much easier to lace when the leather is at the right temper as in tooling also. I use a fid to open the slits just wide enough to fit the lace through without any friction to the lace. Brian... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted April 22, 2014 Ok, i admit i don't measure at all....just eyeball and punch. Round holes are stronger. cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KnotHead Report post Posted April 22, 2014 Is there any scientific data to support that? Brian... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shtoink Report post Posted April 22, 2014 (edited) Is there any scientific data to support that? Brian... Yes! There is a great deal of research done on that very topic. A sharp corner is one of many types of stress risers, but is easily eliminated with a radius. In the case of a hole, a circle is ideal. I tried to find somewhere online with a good comparison between the two, but didn't have a whole lot of luck. Most places tended to go well beyond the concept I was trying to convey. I did find this page, though Edited April 22, 2014 by shtoink Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tanglefoot Report post Posted April 23, 2014 well thank you gentlemen i appreciate the help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcsaddles Report post Posted April 23, 2014 I'm not sure I really understand what is going on here so let me recap my thoughts. The original question was about the best coverage for the Mexican Round Braid. My thought, imho, is that the slits are going to get you better coverage because the lace is flat and will fit better. Kind of like the square peg in the round hole. the flat lace will look better in the slits than in the round holes. It will also not scuff if the slits are opened up a little. As far as the strength of slits vs round holes, I'm not sure there is any difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
