Cutting shoulders straight in quicker time

[RockyAussie]

It is a high density polyethylene as shown in following link. Could not spell it like a lot of things so looked it up and found this. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23751&catid=705

I first starting using this type of material years ago when I made shoe orthotics  and such. Due to it being thermo mouldable I found it to also be useful in casting outer shells for leather moulding cases and such.Being a slippery type of surface it is great for repetitive work leaving no scratches and marks etc. 

[msdeluca]

That is fairly close to the set-up I came up with.  I like your addition of the hinge point and index line.  I just clamp mine since I'm only doing a few shoulders at a time.

I've also been having good success with a 60mm rotary cutter rather than a head or utility knife.  No need to do a scribe cut; just clamp the straightedge and cut the leather... usually two passes in 8 oz. veg tan.

Also found a good source for poly in the US that sells remnants cut to your size request (if they have a piece large enough). 

More info link

Edited September 24, 2016 by msdeluca

[plinkercases]

Thank for the board info. That is what I have sourced here in Toronto so I am on the right track. I do envy the space you both seem to have to work in though... and hey Aussie I just notices your helper hound in the picture. Nice, addition to a shop for sure.

[brmax]

Rocky that is sure to be some production work as I see it, and say the little time I have had one " a rotary knife olfa"  is pretty sharp

Just wanted to be curious with any information you have, as to using one for this work because it would sure give a time and durability test result.

 

Floyd

Edited September 25, 2016 by brmax

[RockyAussie]

Hi Floyd, I would be interested myself but the cutting part per shoulder would be only about 30 seconds per sheet if I take out the handling on and off the table and lining up etc. It actually took one of my staff longer to unwrap them and lay them on a table then the cutting part of the job.The beauty of the round knife is that I only needed to polish on a rag wheel with Tripoli twice on this lot. I am always looking for easier and quicker ways but I am dubious whether the rotary knife would work long term wise. I did get a Good improvement on time on the next step today by changing the strap cutters motor pulley from a 2 1/2" up to a 4".This gave a 60% quicker cutting time. . I have also changed the speed setting on the splitter and so far is going well but unfortunately I figga I still got maybe another 3 or so hours there to go. Be a lot better if it wasn't for my main competitor in the belt area.(love these little faces)