Visited a friend and fellow madmodder yesterday and he showed me the processes you go through when making a leather hand tooled guitar strap, took a few pics so thought I'd show them to you Guys.
This is what you start with a nice bit of cow hide.
Cut a 3 " strip and shape the ends:- the patterns are made from floor vinal floor tile.
Sponge the strap down with a bit of water to give it some flexibility while you work with it, then chamfer the edges back and front.
Roll a groove around the edge, this is where the strange properties of leather show up the rolling process streaches the leather, the first side you roll becomes longer and the strap goes into a banana shape when you roll the second side they are evened up and it straightens.
Her I'am having a go, note the fine head of hair.
Selection of embossing tools.
The embossed strap with tools mallet and hand.
Name stamping.
Staining the leather two stains were used to give a two tone effect.
Stitching around the outside of the strap, this stops strap from streaching in use
Stamping the holes for the adjusting strap.
Stain the edges black and a good polish with wax and thats it job done
Her's a couple of nice knife sheathes.
Rays web site
http://www.barefootleather.blogspot.com/Whilst there I worked on Ray,s stud riveting machine got it working better but not 100% having a think about it
A real pleasurable day that you get when you visit good old friends,
Ray/Val thanks for your hospitality
Have fun
Stew
