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WyldHrt -> RE: Leather Flogger Making for Dummies (2/20/2010 10:34:16 PM)
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quote:
Please help me get through this project step by step because I am sure it is something I will enjoy doing for a long time to come. This is step one and, after I have done it successfully, I will ask more I guess. So where do I get this leather? What kind do I want? How do I know if it is of good quality? What other tools and materials will I need and where do I get those things? Your help is greatly appreciated in advance.
Apologies for the late reply, I got distracted with some PRS troll nonsense. [&o] Ah, well. [8D]
Okies, first up is the leather. Until you are more familiar with weights and types of hide, it's best to find a place where you can see and feel the leather you are considering. I suggested Tandy, but there are other places that can be found with a short round of Google.
For a first project, don't get too fancy with the leather. Boo-boos happen when you are learning, and it is best if they happen to a $12 piece of cow hide instead of the $150 perfectly tanned deer hide that you just couldn't resist buying. If you can find a place that has a "scrap" bin with decent sized pieces, that's the place to start. Pick a leather that is flexible (NO saddle leather, that is for paddles [:D]), but not too stretchy (like deer or elk) or thin (if it feels like it might tear when you pull on it, move on).
A mid weight cow hide is easy to work with, durable enough for use, and relatively inexpensive.
Tip: Flashing your bewbage and a slutty smile at the clerk to get him to cut the leather into a properly sized rectangle is optional, but might save you a bit of effort, while making his day.
Now, to equipment. Save yourself some effort and headache by buying a large cutting mat, quality rotary cutter, and a thick plastic 6" wide, 24-36" long ruler/straight edge of the type made for made for quilters (all found at WalMart, with the quilting supplies). Make sure that the ruler has markings along its entire length, as you will need them to keep the falls even.
You will also need a saw to cut the dowel/ copper pipe for the handle, unless you use the abovementioned bewbage flash to get the clerk at the hardware store to cut it for you.
On glue to put the whole thing together, I highly recommend E6000- available at WalMart, Michael's, and most other hardware or craft stores. Don't get too crazy with the glue, esp around the edges of the leather.
You will also want some furniture tacks to finish the raw edge of the handle (warning: getting them in straight is harder than it looks!)
ETA- On cutting the falls, keep in mind that the width of the falls will effect the feel of the finished flogger. Thicker falls will give more thud, thinner more sting. Same goes for the weight of the leather used and the number of falls- thicker leather/ more falls will give more thud, thinner/ less falls more sting.
Hopefully, this will get you started. If you have further questions, either ask here or drop me a cmail. [:D]
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