First Solo Seat Build Questions

[Traydaloor]

Hi, Can someone point me in the right direction with regards to my seat build?

Most likely I have bitten off too much for my first attempt at solo seats but hey ho! I have two seat pans which I have foamed up ready to start thinking about putting leather to and have a few questions.

1, Lace what size? I have looked at our local web sites in the UK and have a choice of 1/8", I notice in the tutorial 1/4" used

2, as the top will have to be cased to obtain the correct shape should I do that before carving? or carve then shape?

3, what is the measurement of overhang used for the lacing holes

Attached a photo of seat base, any help advice would be appreciated

[AMMO]

1. I usually use 1/8" or 5/16" lace. 1/4" seems like overkill, but if you like the look, I don't see a problem with it - just make sure the lace holes are wide enough and spaced far enough apart. Also, I would stick with a simple cross-lace pattern with 1/4" - any of the fancy lace patterns would probably stick out too far.

2. Do the tooling first. When you cut the piece out leave an extra inch around the border and then when you get around to wet-forming the piece you can trim it to the proper size.

3. Depends on what you want to do, but I usually leave an extra half inch for the overhang.

[Traydaloor]

1. I usually use 1/8" or 5/16" lace. 1/4" seems like overkill, but if you like the look, I don't see a problem with it - just make sure the lace holes are wide enough and spaced far enough apart. Also, I would stick with a simple cross-lace pattern with 1/4" - any of the fancy lace patterns would probably stick out too far.

2. Do the tooling first. When you cut the piece out leave an extra inch around the border and then when you get around to wet-forming the piece you can trim it to the proper size.

3. Depends on what you want to do, but I usually leave an extra half inch for the overhang.

Thank you very much for the help I do appreciate it......... would the holes be punched 1/4" from the edge of the over hang? how far apart?

[shadowryder]

I generally use 5mm lace for seats,use 4mm holes at 5mm apart and 5 mm from the edge.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5mm-Flat-Ribbon-Real-Leather-High-Quality-Finding-Cord-String-Lace-Rope-/370699592927?pt=UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&var=&hash=item9505d8afaf

can be bought in different lengths and colours.

that is a cool pan.

Edited May 25, 2014 by shadowryder

[Traydaloor]

This is my first go, it's actually the first seat Iv'e made and my second go at leather carving.

The seat is going on a Kawasaki Drifter I am custom building so I wanted an old Indian look

I did as you can see have problems keeping my lacing symmetrical but as my old dad used to say "a blind man on a galloping horse wont notice"

[shadowryder]

That is a real cool job,looks great,and your lacing and carving is a lot tidier than the last one i done.

well done mate.

[ETW Grumpy]

Looks good man. Getting the lacing symmetrical and pulled tight enough comes with practice.

[JohnD]

You could also dress it with light taps from a smooth faced hammer or mallet. I think, also, you only need to double up through the holes on the tight corners and curves. Looks good though.

[mato]

wow that's really cool looking

can i ask what did you end up using for the lace size spacing and also what type of stitch did you use

and your carving is top notch as well