How I now straighten leather for strap cutting

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

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.

[RockyAussie]

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.

[JazzBass]

Thanks for the detail. Wanna bet that we're all trying to find a place/space in which to use this?

[RockyAussie]

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.

[blue duck]

You sir are full of brilliant ideas. Thanks for sharing. 

[RockyAussie]

5 hours ago, blue duck said:

You sir are full of brilliant ideas. Thanks for sharing. 

Thanks for the kind thoughts and may God smile on you always.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Thank you very much for the details!  I do a fair amount of strap work, so it will come in handy.

[Caesar]

Excellent post.  Thank you so much for showing us all this.  I have seen similar setups, but with folks cutting it ON the table.  Yours looks  so much easier to cut with it hanging off.  

I have been planning on putting together a setup like this for a while.  This helps a ton.  Lately I've been cutting more and more straps and it is desperately needed.  

I really like the door idea as well.  Was planning on doing this in my garage. A door or something else I can stand up and put out of the way would be ideal for me.

I have been laying out sides on my bed and using a strap cutter.... 

Thanks again @RockyAussie!

[JazzBass]

On 1/1/2019 at 5:33 PM, RockyAussie said:

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.

I love this kind of thinking! Here's another possibility:

Space at a premium? Set up that door/table like a horizontal, "Murphy Bed". Store it against the wall with hinges that allow it to be lowered to the horizontal when needed.
Hmm... 

[Treesner]

On 12/31/2018 at 6:03 AM, RedDun said:

Adding that to the "when I have a cutting table" list. Thanks!

would like to work that into my current cutting table build