Easy way to install a leather wrap???

Run the Century

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have wrap fixture (I wont mention who) that I have not been all that happy with. Wanted to try something new - before I try would like to get some input.

Why couldnt someone sand the wrap grove down to the leathers thickness and using a piece of irish linen determine the "length" of the top and bottom of the wrap (circumferences). Then measure the length of the needed wrap. Using a wrap blank you have all the measurements now - using a ruler draw a straight line down the middle of the wrap blank. At right angles mark the top and bottom of where you plan to cut (length of wrap). Now take your pieces of irish linen - fold in half and mark the length to the right and left at both the top and bottom.

It would appear you could just cut out a perfectly measured wrap and install. I am sure someone has tried this - has it worked?
 
I thought about using pie

Wasnt sure if that was easier or not.

I also had a thought I could use a piece of paper (instead of the wrap) and see how this "fit" on the cue. If it worked I could place the paper on the wrap and have a perfect template to cut from.
 
No

I havent tried it yet - figured I would get on here and see if anyone else has used this method (im the type that can learn from other peoples mistakes LOL).
 
Why couldnt someone sand the wrap grove down to the leathers thickness and using a piece of irish linen determine the "length" of the top and bottom of the wrap (circumferences).

Keep in mind that if you sand the wrap groove down, you are going to have to build it back up if your customer changes his mind and wants a different wrap. With all the leather available today that are skived to .020 to .025 it makes more sense to me to purchase them.
 
I have wrap fixture (I wont mention who) that I have not been all that happy with. Wanted to try something new - before I try would like to get some input.

Why couldnt someone sand the wrap grove down to the leathers thickness and using a piece of irish linen determine the "length" of the top and bottom of the wrap (circumferences). Then measure the length of the needed wrap. Using a wrap blank you have all the measurements now - using a ruler draw a straight line down the middle of the wrap blank. At right angles mark the top and bottom of where you plan to cut (length of wrap). Now take your pieces of irish linen - fold in half and mark the length to the right and left at both the top and bottom.

It would appear you could just cut out a perfectly measured wrap and install. I am sure someone has tried this - has it worked?

I'm not a cue maker, but I see many things you'd have to consider. The wrap has to have a radius that match's the taper of the cylinder at the ends. otherwise it will hang over the forearm at one end and have a gap at the butt-sleeve if you cut it square to the center line. the paper would measure only the inside width of the wrap so you'd have to cut it over size or at the exact perfect angle to reach the outer wrap diameter. String is not real accurate I think a ruler a caliper and a compass would be in order.
Folks have done it more or less perfect for decades without templates. so once you get the formula figured out I imagine it would be more accurate from cue to cue than using a one radius fits all a template?
 
The angle of the cuts will not line up. If you overlap the 2 ends & make one cut the angle is square to each other...JER
 
I have wrap fixture (I wont mention who) that I have not been all that happy with. Wanted to try something new - before I try would like to get some input.

Why couldnt someone sand the wrap grove down to the leathers thickness and using a piece of irish linen determine the "length" of the top and bottom of the wrap (circumferences). Then measure the length of the needed wrap. Using a wrap blank you have all the measurements now - using a ruler draw a straight line down the middle of the wrap blank. At right angles mark the top and bottom of where you plan to cut (length of wrap). Now take your pieces of irish linen - fold in half and mark the length to the right and left at both the top and bottom.

It would appear you could just cut out a perfectly measured wrap and install. I am sure someone has tried this - has it worked?


From 25 years of technical training, I learned that it never works exactly like you think.... no matter how well you plan it out.

I never tried to tell any one how to do something that I had not actually tried with my own hands.

There always seems to be a catch somewhere.

Experience it before you pitch it to others.

jmho....

I am not saying that it won't work, just that there might be better ways.

Kim
 
Indeed...

From 25 years of technical training, I learned that it never works exactly like you think.... no matter how well you plan it out.

I never tried to tell any one how to do something that I had not actually tried with my own hands.

There always seems to be a catch somewhere.

Experience it before you pitch it to others.

jmho....

I am not saying that it won't work, just that there might be better ways.

Kim

I am not pitching it at all - I am trying to determine if anyone else has done it - I am sure there is some "problem" I am going to run into - seeing if anyone in the forum has tried it so I can learn from someone else.
 
If it were me, I think I would spend time refining my technique with the fixture. So many guys use use a fixture to install leather wraps, that there is definitely a way to get it right, and there are plenty of resources on here to answer questions about it. Most people are probably using that exact same fixture as well . . . I have the Unique.
 
I am not pitching it at all - I am trying to determine if anyone else has done it - I am sure there is some "problem" I am going to run into - seeing if anyone in the forum has tried it so I can learn from someone else.


I apologize.... I was not accusing you of pitching it..... I was talking about my own experience....

That's the trouble with the written word.... you sometimes don't get the actual meaning to come across..... I can't tell you how many times I got my ass in a jam over emails at work..... just because of a mis understanding of how someone read the meaning into words.....

Kim
 
I think the method you mentioned would be very tough to pull off an accurate or perfect wrap.

I have a wrap fixture and can pull off a flawless seam. Maybe you are just missing a trick or something, with the use of your fixture, that would enable you to get a better result. I'm sure others are using the same fixture and may be able to give you tips. Just a thought.
 
I think that you are frustrated by not being able to do a good job on a leather wrap. If you can't get a good seam it could be something as simple as you are using a very thick blade instead of surgical scalpel blade or an auto shop blade. I owned 3 different wrap machines and all worked well but they were all a bit different on how to do things. You can call me if you want and I will be more than happy to help you 209-482-776eight


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I don't use a fixture and I get a perfect wrap every time.

1. Cut one end of the wrap with a paper cutter. The paper cutter was $10 at Harbor Freight.
2. Hold the wrap up to the cue to mark the length and cut with paper cutter. I mark both sides and cut the wrap 1/16" longer then the wrap groove.
3. Tape the wrap down. Its important to make sure the wrap is square with the cue at this point.
4. Cut the seam with a straight edge.

I can't explain everything but this is the basics. It took some practice.
 

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Normally this is done in the lathe but not necessary.
 

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Century,

Do you have Chris Hightower's book? He gives a couple of methods there. I recently installed my first one and used Chris's method (#1) and it came out pretty good.

I'm sure others think his method is wrong, but as others have said "There are numerous ways to skin this cat".

My 2 cents,

Gary
 
I havent tried it yet - figured I would get on here and see if anyone else has used this method (im the type that can learn from other peoples mistakes LOL).

Using that method you wouldn't in a million years get the width right and would end up with a big gap or a puckered up wrap if too long.
 
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