RockyAussie Report post Posted December 30, 2018 Recently I came up with an improved method for straightening up leather before being cut into strap lengths. This is a short video that I hope some of you may find useful until something better comes along. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bermudahwin Report post Posted December 30, 2018 (edited) Sheesh, I watched the video and had a slap the forehead moment... Thank you RockyAussie Harry Edited December 30, 2018 by hwinbermuda smelling pistake Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arz Report post Posted December 30, 2018 Very nice! Will have to remember this when I have a bigger shop Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwican Report post Posted December 30, 2018 Nice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpha2 Report post Posted December 30, 2018 Excellent! Now I need a longer table. And room for a longer table. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxdaddy Report post Posted December 30, 2018 I'm heading out to the shop now to see if i've got the raw materials on-hand to build my own. Thanks for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BattleAx Report post Posted December 30, 2018 Very nice . Thanks.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JazzBass Report post Posted December 30, 2018 Simple, accurate, efficient...wonderful!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakesBlades Report post Posted December 30, 2018 (edited) Awesome! Is the top lined at all so it doesn't scratch the leather? Edited December 30, 2018 by BlakesBlades Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted December 30, 2018 3 hours ago, BlakesBlades said: Awesome! Is the top lined at all so it doesn't scratch the leather? @BlakesBlades No, I have not had any slipping problems that have allowed the leather to scratch. A light layer of latex glue on the underside might be a further improvement though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted December 31, 2018 14 hours ago, hwinbermuda said: Sheesh, I watched the video and had a slap the forehead moment... Thank you RockyAussie Harry Your welcome. I wish I had thought of it several thousand straps back though 7 hours ago, JazzBass said: Simple, accurate, efficient...wonderful!! My wife agrees on the simple part at least .....as far as I go anyways Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koreric75 Report post Posted December 31, 2018 This is awesome, but space prevents having one for now... so for now, a long straight edge and an expandable table makes it work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted December 31, 2018 Yep, we're all dumb. Good grief. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noobleather Report post Posted December 31, 2018 Thanks for sharing Rocky. Great idea,i was using a stripe of aluminium ,but it is too light moves and is not pinned with screws,so thanks for that idea. Nice sharp round knife too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedDun Report post Posted December 31, 2018 Adding that to the "when I have a cutting table" list. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakesBlades Report post Posted January 1, 2019 On 12/30/2018 at 3:57 PM, RockyAussie said: @BlakesBlades No, I have not had any slipping problems that have allowed the leather to scratch. A light layer of latex glue on the underside might be a further improvement though. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 1, 2019 2 minutes ago, BlakesBlades said: Thanks! Your welcome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 1, 2019 23 hours ago, noobleather said: Thanks for sharing Rocky. Great idea,i was using a stripe of aluminium ,but it is too light moves and is not pinned with screws,so thanks for that idea. Nice sharp round knife too People on this here forum would chuck me off if they see how I sharpen it ...but it does take less than a minute and doing a hundred at a time I only need to polish it on the rag wheel maybe 2 sometimes 3 times. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bermudahwin Report post Posted January 1, 2019 13 minutes ago, RockyAussie said: People on this here forum would chuck me off if they see how I sharpen it ...but it does take less than a minute and doing a hundred at a time I only need to polish it on the rag wheel maybe 2 sometimes 3 times. HOW DARE YOU, YOU RAPSCALLION!!!! Oh, sorry, I meant, whatever works for you. I find stropping on carborundum, then on flesh side works for me. Also sharpening knives is massively theraputic as you really need to conentrate, and empty your mind of the extraneous claptrap, or you'll need help picking up your fingers. H Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 1, 2019 Nothin more than you can see here theraputic ?? comes later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted January 1, 2019 Can you show us exactly how you fasten down the far end of the strap iron please? I've been on the verge of putting together something like this, and if I don't have to "reinvent the wheel", so much the better. Thank you for sharing with us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 1, 2019 7 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said: Can you show us exactly how you fasten down the far end of the strap iron please? I've been on the verge of putting together something like this, and if I don't have to "reinvent the wheel", so much the better. Thank you for sharing with us. Happy to help @Big Sioux Saddlery. Note that the steel is just mild steel and with a less than level top surface it will flex up and down with the table curves a bit. This end gets done up tight but can still swivel a bit Note that it hangs over the edge a little maybe 1/8" The other end just buts up to a screw and depending on the leather thickness may want adjusting up or down a bit. The leather split at the back I just glue down temporary and it is an important part to stop the hide from sliding around. Around a 1/4" back from the steel should work alright The table is just an 8x4' chipboard with a bit of HDPE sheet on top. The rest is just 1+1/4" boxing I welded up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JazzBass Report post Posted January 2, 2019 Thanks for the detail. Wanna bet that we're all trying to find a place/space in which to use this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyAussie Report post Posted January 2, 2019 A door should be long enough...set it up so you have loose pins in the hinges and lay it down on some horses when you need it. The steel could stay hung up with it as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue duck Report post Posted January 2, 2019 You sir are full of brilliant ideas. Thanks for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
