HARNESS REPAIR 411 



secured. An advantage of the shoe thread and wax is that it 

 can be prepared to meet the requirement of the special job. 



414. Splicing Worn Harness Strap. 

 Requirements: To make a satisfactory splice that will be 



smooth and not chafe, and if used thru a ring, will not 

 catch or bind. It must also be strong enough to resist 

 the force applied to it. 



Materials Needed: Suitable leather strip for repair, thread, 

 wax. 



Tools Needed: Clamp (such as shown in Fig. 86), one select- 

 ed awl, two selected needles, one sharp knife. 



415. Preparing Strap for Sewing. Prepare the worn 

 strap for splice by cutting away the worn part. Thin the 

 ends down with a sharp knife to a gradual taper for about 3". 

 If the strap is one that can be shortened, it is then ready for 

 splicing; otherwise, an insert will have to be prepared and a 

 double splice made. Small wire tacks are useful in holding 

 the straps together while the stitching is being done. Prepare 

 thread for sewing by waxing it. To do this, the thread must 

 first be broken with a ragged end. Pull the thread out of the 

 center of the ball, hold it on the knee, and roll it to take out 

 the twist. When the twist is out, give the string a pull and it 

 should break with long ragged ends. Give the end a twist 

 around the first finger of the left hand and draw it thru the 

 right hand. When about 6' have been drawn out, throw the 

 center over a hook in the wall and pull until the ends are 

 about even and each about 3' long. Keep the string tight 

 with the left hand, and with the right hand rub it on the knee 

 as before and break it. Repeat this until the required num- 

 ber of strands have been secured, depending on the work to be 



