Leather Strap Maker

[pasofino]

This is a device to cut straps from leather (or any other heavy material). It was made from material that I had in the shop. The only things I purchased were the two gears and the rotary cutter blade

[Bill in Ky]

Very nice work!

[john hobdeclipe]

Nice work! Will it hold the necessary accuracy over a long length to make a leather drive belt?

[Mike Burdick]

Pasofino,

That is very nice! Brings backs some memories for me….

When I was growing up my Dad taught me how to make most of my horse gear. I would braid all of my Headstalls, Bosals, Reins, etc. from rawhide. None of these had a single piece of metal on them, as all the "fasteners" were braided knots that could be quickly put together.

To cut the rawhide all I had was a knife that I would stick into a flat board about 1/4-inch from a wooden guide. I'd then pull a circular piece of wetted rawhide past the knife and it would yield a single long strand of rawhide to braid with. Even though the rawhide was wet and my knife sharp it still took quite a bit of strength to cut it. I wish I had something like you made - the job would have been much easier. My "tool set" consisted only of a knife and an awl made from a 1/4-inch bolt.

Pasofino, what kind of leather work do you do?

[Alistair Hosie]

Seems to be an ingenious design very well executed and manufactured/built by your good self did you design it your self also ?Alistair

[pasofino]

Most of the leather work that I do is to make and repair tack for my own horses. I have made some jeweled belts for my wife and daughters and have repaired bridles, halters, martingales, etc for friends.

This belt cutter design was not really my idea I got the basic idea from a commercially made machine then modified it to fit my materials and needs.So far it has worked very well and it does hold its accuracy over a fairly long distance ( 3 to 4 feet)

[Evan]

Very nice gizmo. Looks very useful. I have done leather work too. For cutting thongs/lacing I tap a new single edge razor into a pine board at an angle and draw the leather through that with a guide. To make long laces from small pieces cut them in a spiral.