Popular Woodworking Stepladder

[joec]

I am building the stepladder that was shown in a spring issue of Popular Woodworking. I have almost finished it and it calls for a leather strap on each side to be the angle restraint. One one side of the folding step ladder. I have never worked with leather before and do not know where to find it, cut it etc. I guess I will try hobby lobby. Anyone with any experience with leather? It is attached with small nails or anything that i like. Decorative brass nails would work.

 

[danmart77]

I am building the stepladder that was shown in a spring issue of Popular Woodworking. I have almost finished it and it calls for a leather strap on each side to be the angle restraint. One one side of the folding step ladder. I have never worked with leather before and do not know where to find it, cut it etc. I guess I will try hobby lobby. Anyone with any experience with leather? It is attached with small nails or anything that i like. Decorative brass nails would work.

Maybe a photo?

 

[Tom from Clayton]

Try www.tandyleather.com.

 

[Mike Davis]

Amazon.com

 

[nn4jw]

I usually get leather from either Tandy or Zack White. Unfortunately they are in Raleigh and Ramseur so pretty far from Wilmington. That said, I suggest oval head screws and countersunk finish washers to attach the leather straps to the wood ladder. Less chance of tearing through the leather.

An alternative source for making leather straps would be heavier work belts or old style weight lifting belts.

Good luck with your search.

 

[cmboggs]

Oddly enough a good source of leather are jackets and purses from consignment shops. You can get a TON of leather just from one jacket. The same goes for old belts.

 

[joec]

Maybe a photo?

 

[Jeff]

You could probably use a couple of old leather belts. The plan says that each strap is 18" l x 1.25"w.

{QUOTE] Instead of nylon, I used 8-9oz. leather straps 11/4″ wide. The straps are attached to the legs using 3/4″ copper tacks 3 1/2″ from the bottom of the legs.

The Shaker Stepladder: An Ideal Intro to the Shaker Style | Popular Woodworking Magazine

This functional form is an ideal intro to the Shaker Style. Learn how to make this useful project, all while sharpening your hand tool skills.

www.popularwoodworking.com

Amazon.com: Springfield Leather Company's Buffalo Leather Strips (1-1/2", Vintage Tan)

Shop Springfield Leather Company at the Amazon Arts, Crafts & Sewing store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Save on everyday low prices.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Leather Strap Tan 1 Inch Wide 9-10 oz, (5/32 Inch) by TOFL

Shop TOFL at the Amazon Arts, Crafts & Sewing store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Save on everyday low prices.

www.amazon.com

 

[Chris C]

Play It Again stores sometimes have used weight belts..... Cheap.

 

[Hmerkle]

Play It Again stores sometimes have used weight belts..... Cheap.

My vise chops have "repurposed" weight belt leather!

 

[Dave Richards]

Nice step ladder. I think I might have used leather for the straps and instead of nails, I would have used bronze oval-head screws with trim washers.

 

[joec]

I am going to run by a shoe repair place and see if they can cut what I want. I do not want it to be too stiff and not fold up easily, but also stiff enough not to stretch.