Thread: DIY linen strop

I was lucky enough to get some firehose material from Randy for a DIY linen strop. Just wondering if anyone has made one, and how they finished off the ends so they didn't fray. I've seen people simply fold the end over a D ring and sew. That seems to be the easiest way. Any thoughts? Anyone made a handle another way on a linen strop? Thanks!

~James

Used some similar tube material and did it like jimbo's how to sticky but just glued the ends shut and a little along the edhes to stop fraying.

To make an attachment hole that would not fray, I use a grommet from an inexpensive kit I bought. I like the 10mm / 3/8ths" size. The kits are usually available at hardware stores for about $6 USD. They contain many top and bottom grommet pieces and the tools to set them into the base material by use of a hammer. I do recommend a couple trials though, before doing it for real! It is a necessity to press the material carefully around the bottom/ tube side on the peening anvil and carefully slide the top washer over the compacted base material before setting the grommet with the punch tool. I goofed a couple starting out.

~Richard
PS, a little glue to seal the ends of the hose is good. I used a very little of a clear contact cement. A white glue or gorilla glue may work also.

I've been using lightweight canvas glued to thin leather with a backing on the backside to hide the seam. I'm thinking about a flexible plastic instead of leather to save money. It's fun to create and experiment with new ideas, see what works and what doesn't.

couple of pics for you

Nice looking strop Eddy, where did you get the material?

Ozarkedger, I use iron on fabric tape to heat glue the cotton or poly canvas to itself with an Iron. Just cut the canvas as shown in the attached photos.

I still have the original Poly Canvas Sail cloth strop I made 2-3 years ago. Once fused the bond is very strong. Fabric Tape comes in rolls of about 1 inch or in sheets that can be cut to any shape or size, it is not expensive.

Cheers Euclid. Have used the pellen and fabric tape described in your previous posts and they are great. The fabric is cotton flax tube webbing in 3 inch width. Got it from a horse supply online. Very inexpensive. http://www.leffleronline.com.au/webs...ry01=2238.1010

Euclid,
Thanks for the great solution! I'm making strops currently and will buy and use the fabric tape.
I love the weave on your material. I've been using a tighter (slightly) lightweight canvas I buy from Walmart, seems to work pretty good and holds pastes well. Isn't as pretty as yours though.
I'll post a pic or two when I get them finished.

That fabric is a Polyester Canvas, Sail Cloth from a fabric store, sells for about 10 a yard. You can get a lot of strops from a 36 X 30 inch piece.

It is one of the best substrates I have found for Chome Oxide. I think it is because the Polyester polishes the steel and the weave holds the abrasive. The plain side works well also, I use it in place of linen.

You can just cut to length and width without prepping the edge. It will fray a bit but will stop after a while, just trim with a sharp scissor.