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How I make a leather strap
Posted: 16 Jun 2012 11:25
by sinner1974
Share share how i make a leather strap. Pardon my English hor.
Like I mention before, you need to have the right manual tools to do the job. I will share with you what tools to use along the way. Most of the tools i have already mention in my previous posts.
First of all, find some cardboard to draft out and cut out the size of the strap you want to make. In my photo, it is a 22mm strap and length, 125mm by 75mm. Remember the short side (the buckle side) you need to add in 2cm. The extra 2cm is for you to make a bevel (1cm each) and glue later. Will explain that in detail later.
In short, the length for my draft will be 250mm by 170mm.
More to follow...
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/b839713a.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 16 Jun 2012 11:27
by sinner1974
Next, draw the outline on the leather and cut it using a sharp knife and a steel ruler. Please handle with care when cutting the leather, don't cut yourself! Remember to place your knife at a right angle when cutting the leather. If not your strap edges will be slanted.
More to follow...
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/a4dc12a1.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 16 Jun 2012 11:29
by sinner1974
There you go, straps ready! It's okay if the strap is longer than the draft, you can trim it later
More to follow...
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/19d12be5.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 11:39
by sinner1974
Trim to the length you want...
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/d3572b22.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 11:43
by sinner1974
Done with the length!
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/e6820acd.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 11:48
by sinner1974
Fold the long side (tail side) into half and use a clamp to form the 'U' shape.
Remember to place cardboard in between the leather and the wooden block to protect the leather.
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/d4626314.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 11:57
by sinner1974
Next, the short side (buckle side) you need to mark 1cm on both end. One end on fresh side and the other end on the 'raw' side.
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/3814ed1e.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 12:03
by sinner1974
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 12:07
by sinner1974
Done!
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/f610de17.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 12:09
by sinner1974
Same as the long side, you need to clamp it to form the 'O' shape.
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/5d4179de.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 12:17
by sinner1974
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 15:20
by softup
sinner1974 wrote:Next, the short side (buckle side) you need to mark 1mm on both end. One end on fresh side and the other end on the 'raw' side.
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/3814ed1e.jpg)
Should be 1cm and not 1mm ... Am I correct ?
Good write up bro sinner.
BTW, what's the thickness of the leather used usually ?
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 18:48
by sinner1974
Thanks for pointing out bro, my bad, should be 1cm. Edited.
My leather is about 2mm to 3mm in thickness, so the final product will be about 4-5mm in thickness.
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 19:35
by sinner1974
Next, trim the tail. I use a sharp pen knife to cut the tail. There is actually tool for cutting the tail but I find it too expansive and it can only cut one type of tail, not worth it.
You can use your existing strap to trace the outline.
My illustration below is a knife tail.
To be continued...
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/d4977c8f.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 17 Jun 2012 20:28
by sinner1974
Next, polish the edges. Yes you are right, the first photo is a nail file
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
From coarse (nail file) to smooth.(sand paper no 500 and no 1000)
To be continued...
Can see the difference after polish?
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/3fe4aac0.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 18 Jun 2012 21:11
by sinner1974
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 18 Jun 2012 21:23
by sinner1974
Trim the edges to make it rounded.
To be continued...
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/bac15ba6.jpg)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 19 Jun 2012 12:42
by kokoro84
is it a must to use the sandpaper after using the nail file?
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 19 Jun 2012 13:33
by sinner1974
My nail file is very 'rough' so need to use sand paper to sand it. If not the edges will be very 'hairy'
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Re: How I make a leather strap
Posted: 23 Jun 2012 17:22
by sinner1974
Next, use a groover to cut the groove for stitching.
![Image](http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/sinner1974/cf317519.jpg)