Making Gore-tex braces: Illustrated

[Fawkes]

First get some gore-tex. I managed to find some at the local walmart for a buck a meter, though they tell me they dont always carry it. I think any grade would probably work. I cut a full length strip, this time about 21 mm wide, but it probably should be a little wider - maybe 28mm.

[Fawkes]

Next learn how to use the sewing machine :lol: It saves on a lot of petty hand stitching.

I fold it over twice and roll the edge back so when it stitches it catches both edges - I tried other ways and found this to produce the least amount of frayed edges when cutting holes in it later.

[Fawkes]

when you're done, you should have a strip about 7mm wide and 4 layers thick. Should be long enough to make braces for atleast two hoods.

[Fawkes]

Now it's just like making braces with leather, with a few modifications.
Melt any cut edges in a candle flame and push it flat with your scissors or pliers.

[Fawkes]

Cut a strip at least 7 inches long for each brace. Dont forget to melt the ends to keep it from fraying. If you cut one end diagonally it its easier to get through the slots on the hood.

[Fawkes]

Fold over the straight cut end twice, same as you would do when making jesses.

[Fawkes]

Heat up a nail in the candle flame and push it through your folded end. (Thank you Greg for the tip :D) This is the same as punching a hole in your buttons on alymari jesses. All this melting reduces fraying and catching once threaded on the hood. Mind you use an old cutting board as it goes right through... got myself a free one from mom after I melted a bunch of craters in hers :lol:

[Fawkes]

Pull your pointed end through the hole in the button....

[Fawkes]

Repeat the above steps with the other strip.. then measure about an inch down from the button of each and melt another hole. for this set I put the holes 1.25 inches from the base of the button.

[Fawkes]

The second set of holes is different on each brace. On one brace it should be about 3/4" from the first hole, on the other the second hole needs to be further, more like an inch or 1.25 inches.

[Fawkes]

Now cut from one hole to the next. (the holes keep it from ripping and fraying)

[Fawkes]

Finished! Now just thread through your latest hood and you're done.
(For hood instructions, see Blackbird's thread, Phillip Glasiers book "Falconry and Hunting Hawks has a good description of how to thread the braces)

[Tim Laycock]

Exellent thread! :supz:

[Fawkes]

Thanks BB. :D
some one was asking after one a while a go and since I was making some today anyways.. figured I could document it. Must say I found your hood thread very helpful, so just giving back a little :)

[Tim Laycock]

My work is done :supz:

[Bod]

Nice one

[PeregrinesUK]

really excellent - many thanks with this thread and BB's anyone could mave a go.. excellent mike

[LongVVing]

Can anyone recommend a supplier for GoreTex in the UK?

All the best Mark.

PS excellent thread!

[BlackShaheen1]

excelent thread verry informative thank you

[Merger]

Very good thread, I have made a few like this but its not quite as easy as it looks, the problem is here as you will find out is getting bl**dy gortex!!!

[SakerJack]

Good job Fawkes,
Try punching the hole to make your button with your hole punch with a piece of leather underneath the gortex, I have never had problems with doing it this way, as well you may want to make your cuts a little smaller,yours appear very long, or at least in the photo..
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke
Falconry Hoods International

[Fawkes]

Thanks all! Nice to feel appreciated :D

SakerJack - will give your suggestion a go next batch I make. The slots are only a little over an inch at the longest and shows just enough out the back to put the other brace through.

[SakerJack]

Fawkes
One inch is too long I think, , I make the slit the same width as the brace it self it will keep the braces tighter and not as sloppy and there is less chance of pinching feathers.
Sakerjack
Ken Hooke
Falconry Hoods International

[Palmer]

This might be a nobhead question but could you make gortex jesses?

[TiercelR]

-Fawkes: THANK YOU VERY MUCH !! you has done a majestic work !! all the images are excellents !! these info will help me a lot !! already I only has made braces of leather and vynil, but now i have a great guide for both gortex and nylon braces !!

-Also many thanks for their helpful info and comments to: GregMik, Blackbird, Bod, PeregrinesUK, LongVVing, BlackShaheen, Merger, SakerJack, Sky.

-Best regards !!

[DeathFromAbove]

Top thread - nice one mate!!

[Tim Laycock]

This might be a nobhead question but could you make gortex jesses?

Dont be a nobhead :rolleyes: :lol: :yawinkle:

Seriously though m8, I wouldnt!

[Palmer]

Dont be a nobhead :rolleyes: :lol: :yawinkle:

Seriously though m8, I wouldnt!


How come? ( i wasn't planning on y the way-just curious )

[Tim Laycock]

Fray easily, wont stand up to any abuse in the field or mews.

I use leather, It aint broke so I dont try to fix it, so long as leather is well selected it cant tealy be bettered!

[Palmer]

Fray easily, wont stand up to any abuse in the field or mews.

I use leather, It aint broke so I dont try to fix it, so long as leather is well selected it cant tealy be bettered!


Agreed cheers for clearing that up!:supz:

[Fawkes]

I have tinkered around with making these since posting the pictures, namely trying a bit of SakerJack's advice - so long as you don't cut the thread with the hole punch it is a lot easier (and much faster) to punch all the holes for these with your regular leather punch. Also, if the button is folded over 4-5 times it makes them more robust. And, as SakerJack mentioned, the slits illustrated are a bit too long - 3/4 inch for the long one and a half inch for the short will do just right, with the minimum of slit showing after the braces have been fitted.

Good luck all!

[Claire]

great thread hope your rep box is overflowing lol:)

[Puzo]

It might help when folding them for stitching if you dampend the material & ironed the creases in. If you can dampen Goretex. That would make it easier to handle whilst pulling through the machine.

[Fawkes]

Puzo, I have tried ironing goretex - it only keeps its folds for about 2 minutes, mind I haven't tried dampening it. Good thinking though!

[Puzo]

Puzo, I have tried ironing goretex - it only keeps its folds for about 2 minutes, mind I haven't tried dampening it. Good thinking though!

Yeah, I wondered if this might be the case. It probably can't be dampend as its made to resist water. It was just a thought. It is a good thread & well illustrated