Experienced cue makers please help with leather wraps

[jazznpool]

The double keen USA made blades are the best that I know of and are priced the same as the Chinese blades which suck badly. You want a sharp blade that cuts without having to use a lot of pressure as you don't want to score the handle deeply when cutting the seam. (Scoring will create seam problems especially on smooth leathers.) I prefer the .12 thickness.

Martin

 

[billiardbum]

Unique Suggest...

We do suggest using razor blades (100 per pack) that are sold at Lowes, Home Depot, and Menards. These are sold in paint area, and are NOT utility/carpet blades. I personally like to make sure they are made in the USA (link attached). These blades seem to be sharper and more sturdy when cutting. I recommend you use 1 blade per cutting of the seam, and 1 blade when cutting the end radius on the leather.

We do not recommend using tape on the leather or top plate when cutting the seam. There is a buna pad under the top plate, rubber like, that will keep the leather from moving once the top plate is in place. Most people when they purchase the fixture throw away the instructions with the fixture but it tells to make sure you use the allen wrench on the top plate screws to secure the plate making sure you get the top plate flush with the fixture. IF you do not the leather can walk on you sometimes.

The OP is a local guy and I would entertain him stopping by the booth and watching me install wraps. I typically do this around 10 or 11pm each night at local tournaments. I will install 15-30 wraps so you can see hands on how I do each different type of leather.

Anyone that purchases fixtures from anyone surely knows there are things that you will tweek and learn during the process. Martins leather cuts different than Tiger leather, softer leather moves more than stiffer leather - On and on... The Fixture is a way to create a perfect seam in most leather. Some leather you can never get a good seam due to thickness variabilities and pattern differences.

IF anyone has questions you know how to reach us or send me a PM on here. I will be glad to help with anything you do not understand about leather wraps and our fixture, as we do all of our products. :thumbup:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_155134-995-...00+pack+razor+blades&productId=3082935&rpp=32

 

[pescadoman]

I certainly wouldn't want to be argumentative, but the Unique DVD clearly shows
using a single edged razor blade. And, they toss the blade after making ONE
cut with each end. Utility blades, as Rick pointed out, not only are
beveled, but compared to a razor blade, are dull as a stone. They are quite
sturdy tho.

IMHO - if you want scalpel sharp at a fraction of the cost - gen out a holder for a double-edged razor blade.

Dale

Yah..

As I sometimes do, I was being a dick to Tony instead of just shutting up and learning.

Sorry Tony.

 

[JoeyInCali]

OK, Enigmatic, any updates ?

 

[cuejo]

I don't want to high jack this thread, but I want to let people know that I will have 20 wrap templates available in the next couple weeks

 

[Enigmaticul]

Ok guys so here are some updates. After reading all the posts I have realized that I was rushing and cutting corners a little. Also getting high quality leather blanks makes life a lot easier. Don't skimp on the blanks. I did pull the leather on the softer ones and it worked very well with the corners. I did not wait for the contact cement to dry completely so I have a little more wiggle room. I now only use one corner of the blade per cut. They are dirt cheap so it's worth it in the end.

Here are some results.
My first real exotic wrap. Ringtail lizard wrap. The scales were hard to cut so I really took my time(1.5 hours) turned perfect.



I just wanted to thanks AZ again for makings dream come true. Some times I sit back and I can't believe "I built that". It's truly a humbling experience. If it was not for all the good people of AZ that put up with my constant freebie barrage, and free knowledge I would have never been able to get to this point. Now I realize a little bit more about what it means to "put in the time". I have only been serious about guiding for the past 1.5 years and I have learned leaps and bounds.

Thanks again for all your great feedback.

Other wrap work.

Ps - i have also realized that textured wraps hide the seam better.