A few questions

[tgardner]

Hey, I am new to leatherwork. I have done a few small things before and I just have a few questions. I want to make a pair of spur straps and was wondering how to go about coming up with a pattern. I know what I want it to look like but how can i get it down on paper with all the curves. I also want to make a split ear headstall. Any suggestions on doing this? What weight leather should i use for the headstall? Can I sew the keeper together? I have a utility knife that I use, would it be ok to use this to cut out the headstall? Would you see any problem with tracing a headstall that I have? Thanks for any help. I really appreciate it.

[dbusarow]

Since no one else more experienced has chimed in

For your spur straps go to

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/Projects.asp

Scroll down and find "Spur Strap Patterns". This is a PDF file with full size patterns you can print. It contains patterns for both the straps themselves and the tooling. Should give you an idea for translating your own design to paper also.

For your headstall I'd measure the thickness of one you like. The utility knife (with a new blade!) should work fine for cutting it out. Unless you plan on getting fancy in the cheekpieces or something this should all be pretty much straight cuts.

This advice is coming from someone who has only repaired, never built, a headstall! It's worth exactly what you paid for it.

Dan

[Colman]

First, Welcome to the forum.

There is a lot that can be learned by reading the post on the site. You can also use the SEARCH function at the top right of the page.

As for a spur strap pattern, Dan pointed you to a good starting point. As for drawing your own, it depends on what you can make fit the area.

I recently built a pair with a design that I came up with that took ideas from multiple sources.

The initial drawing is included in the post.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...amp;#entry64938

Hope this helps,

Johnny

[tgardner]

Thanks for the help guys

[hidepounder]

Hey, I am new to leatherwork. I have done a few small things before and I just have a few questions. I want to make a pair of spur straps and was wondering how to go about coming up with a pattern. I know what I want it to look like but how can i get it down on paper with all the curves. I also want to make a split ear headstall. Any suggestions on doing this? What weight leather should i use for the headstall? Can I sew the keeper together? I have a utility knife that I use, would it be ok to use this to cut out the headstall? Would you see any problem with tracing a headstall that I have? Thanks for any help. I really appreciate it.

Welcome to the forum. Dan & Johnny are right...good places to start. Find something you like and copy it. Your spur straps should probably be around 8 ozs. The headstall should be heavier, but it depends entirely on the style and function. I would think 12 oz would be a minimum...mine are heavier. You'll see that the sky is the limit with regard to style on both....here's a another spur strap to look at. Good luck.

SS___L_.jpg

[tgardner]

wow that was an awesome spur strap. What kind of finish did you use on that?

[hidepounder]

wow that was an awesome spur strap. What kind of finish did you use on that?

Fiebings Light Brown antique, then NeatLac