How I now straighten leather for strap cutting

[Treesner]

so thinking maybe this end with the screw could just be a threaded insert in the table then you have a knob+bolt that threads through the hole to tighten down. or the metal could just have keyhole and you just have a screw in the table so the metal just fits over the keyhole, slides back and is locked in place 

[Treesner]

for this leather part that you say is temporarily glued down, does it have to be set back 1/4" from the bar or could it go under the bar? maybe just have the leather with grommets that slide over the screws you use for the leather bar

 

[RockyAussie]

On 02/02/2019 at 8:33 AM, Treesner said:

for this leather part that you say is temporarily glued down, does it have to be set back 1/4" from the bar or could it go under the bar? maybe just have the leather with grommets that slide over the screws you use for the leather bar

 

Hey Treesner, I can not say whether it would work or not as what I have done I know works for me quite well enough. Each persons requirements will differ of course but for myself I need to be able to get back to a bench without any permanent obstructions and it must happen quickly and easily as well. The HDPE cutting board is good for cutting in any direction which is good but allows the leather to slip around on it easily which is not so good sometimes. The 1/4" back strip is good for leather that is say between 3 and 6mm or 1/8 to 1/4" but if you were doing thinner leather it would need to be a bit closer. It helps to stop it sliding back by the leather being forced down when the end of the steel gets pushed under the screw. If the leather were under the steel it would need to have a stronger angle or box steel that could have more pressure applied and would then need a more serious clamping system. For now it works fine for me as is.

[papadan]

I do use this method on an old door, the only difference is, instead of the leather strip to stop slipping, I glued down an old sanding belt. Works for me. 

[bikermutt07]

 

Bump for future pictures, if I can get this version of photo resizer to work.

[bikermutt07]

Here is my bastardized version of this table. And, I figured out a bonus trick for the strap cutter. I won't say I invented it, but I have never seen this done or mentioned anywhere. It works really well for smaller strap goods. Things about 3 square feet or so.

Here is a trick for cutting on a narrow table. I'm using monkey hooks picture hangers. I just stab them thru the leather and wall where I need them. This gets the rest of the leather out of the way.

And here is the new contraption... The straight edge isn't necessary to run the strap cutter like this, but I was taking scrap and straightening it on the left and then running it thru the strap cutter on the right side so the clamp is just running double duty.

This worked like a champ.

[bermudahwin]

@bikermutt

Each of those looks interesting, I'd never of thought of the hooks for smaller pieces, in a month of Sundays,

H

[bikermutt07]

30 minutes ago, hwinbermuda said:

@bikermutt

Each of those looks interesting, I'd never of thought of the hooks for smaller pieces, in a month of Sundays,

H

The hooks are actually a brand of wall hanger for pictures. I'll take a better picture when I have a side hanging up. My original plan was french cleats with clamps attached, but necessity is the mother of invention.

And like Red Green always said "now remember folks, this is only temporary............ unless, it works."

The strap cutter clamped to the bench is what is working for the smaller pieces.

[bikermutt07]

I whipped out all these shorter straps in about 2 hours.

I still have to cut and punch them though.

[RockyAussie]

Excellent @bikermutt07 . Where there is a will there is a way I always say. Just saying....