How I make a leather strap

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...

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...

There you go, straps ready! It's okay if the strap is longer than the draft, you can trim it later



More to follow...

Trim to the length you want...

Done with the length!

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.

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.

I use a sharp pen knife ($2 from daiso) to bevel both end. I did not invest on the bevel tool cause it is too expansive :)



You need a lot of patient to do this!! :)

Done!

Same as the long side, you need to clamp it to form the 'O' shape.

After 15 mins, unclamp the leathers and apply glue. I use contact glue for my strap. Apply a thin layer and leave it to dry for at least 15 mins (time depend on how thick you apply the glue). Do not apply glue on the bend part for the buckle and the spring bar. Placed toothpick on the 3 area to prevent it from gluing together.



Clamp and leave it overnite to dry.



More to follow...

"sinner1974"

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.

Should be 1cm and not 1mm ... Am I correct ?



Good write up bro sinner.



BTW, what's the thickness of the leather used usually ?

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.

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...

Next, polish the edges. Yes you are right, the first photo is a nail file :)

From coarse (nail file) to smooth.(sand paper no 500 and no 1000)



To be continued...











Can see the difference after polish?

Next, cut the hole for the buckle.

Make a draft on a cardboard then mark it on the strap.















Need some polishing to make it smooth.

Trim the edges to make it rounded.



To be continued...

is it a must to use the sandpaper after using the nail file?

My nail file is very 'rough' so need to use sand paper to sand it. If not the edges will be very 'hairy'



:)

Next, use a groover to cut the groove for stitching.

Next, use the diamond shape prong to punch hole for stitching. If you prefer to create smaller hole, use a diamond shape awl instead.



To be continued...

Next, time for the stitching. I'm using 0.8mm waxed thread for my leather strap. The length of the thread to prepare is about 4 times the length of the stitches you are going to make. For more information about stitching, pls google for saddle stitching.



Practice, practice, practice to make it perfect!



Note: I'm using a DIY stitching pony, just a F clamp with 2 wooden board, total cost $4 from daiso. A stitching pony cost about $100 plus on eBay.

can i ask, how do u end the stitching? can show me? :oops: :oops: :oops:

"kokoro84"

can i ask, how do u end the stitching? can show me? :oops: :oops: :oops:

mei mei a link for you...... if still catch no ball I will post a photo... :)



http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/657861-finishing-a-saddle-stitch

Once you finish your stitching, do a back stitch (stitch back about two holes) and cut at about 2mm. Remember the end of the thread must be at the backside (the side where you do not want to be seen). Burn and press it. That's it! ;)



Note: If you are using linen thread, DO NOT burn it! Use glue instead.

y cant burn it? hehehe ;P

"kokoro84"

y cant burn it? hehehe ;P

Linen thread will really burn whereas nylon thread will melt :D

orh okie. understand. :)

wow. this is impressive man.

Nicely done! ;)

great DIY effort.....!!!

May I ask where do we get the groover and diamond shape prong/ awl?

Good information to share!

wow !! really nice !!

this is really ... helpfull, i might do a strap one of these day, if i find a leather peice i like

the only thing i dont have is the glue, the 2 tools required to do the stitching ( the fork and the .. forgot the other tool )

i would like to know, how much time it took you your first time ? (aprox)

Kudos to you, awesome hands-on skills there

impeccable workmanship.

Thanks for sharing!



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its really amazing , and looks so simple with photos. Any particular typo of leather is best for it?

Nice

Very Nice.... Where do you usually get your tools/leather in SG?

very cool tutorial! lot harder than it looks, I've tried and failed.

Thanks for sharing: ) will attempt to make one myself soon.