Finishing 4-ply leather cord

[Luann Udell]

I have some beautiful 3mm and 4mm 4-ply braided leather cord.  Unfortunately, I'm spending a fortune and not having much luck with sterling end caps to finish it.

I've tried several different end caps and crimp ends.  I think the problem is the braided cords aren't really exactly 3mm and 4mm--the braiding makes them "puff up" a little, just enough that crimps make for 3mm and 4mm don't work.  In round cord, I could simply trim the end a bit, or cut at an angle to work the cord end in.  With braided cord, that doesn't work--it just starts to unbraid!

I think the coil crimp ends might work, but I really want sterling silver ones.  I don't see them in your catalog.  Are these something you might carry some day?

And are there any other solutions I'm not thinking of?  I see the sterling bullet ends stock # 43-509, though I'd prefer a more secure clasp than a hook/eye combo.  Do these ever come in an eye/eye combo??

Thanks!!  
Luann

[marym]

Well hi there stranger.

Although we are in the process of looking for and adding new ends for thick leather cord- I can put a request in for PM coil ends. Are you wanting the four mm?

In the mean time, have you tried glue and a Prong cap?

Regarding the hook and eye set; I actually thought about asking if we could sell them separately, but I do believe they come in a set.

[Polly]

The prong caps that Mary mentions are new, sterling, and nice looking.  Plus they come in singles so you can order just eyes, and then add the clasp of your choice.
The size given in the name, is the approximate size cord that they fit, so the 3mm or 4mm will hopefully work.

[Luann Udell]

Yeah, the prong caps might work!  Thank you, Mary and Polly, I will put in my SIXTH order in the last month to R&T.  (You are carrying almost everything I need for my newest jewelry series.)   '>

Yes, Polly, I just used two of the sets you mentioned to get one set of closed loops for my 4mm braided cord.  Expensive, but works perfectly.   '>   And I hope R&T finds a source for singles, the closed-loop half of the set.  The hooks do not work well with the stiff braided cord.

BTW, I tried these:  
and they are very nice, too.  A wider selection--say, in natural, longer lengths, etc.--would be wonderful!  Let me know if more are added someday!

I have regretfully passed on the 5mm and 6mm braided cords also offered by my new leather cord source.  If I'm having this much trouble and $$ woes with the 3mm and 4mm, I can't imagine what's in store with those bigger sizes.   '>

Thanks for the help!  I really appreciate it.
Luann

[Luann Udell]

I just tried the sterling silver coil ends from another supplier, 3.6mm interior diameter, and they just fit the 3mm braided bolo cord.  Although they aren't as stunning as the heavier sterling caps, they are a nice, inexpensive alternative and match the weight of the 3mm cord.

I didn't need to crimp, the fit was so good--just superglue (recommended to me by a leathersmith with 45 years of experience!)

Let me know if/when you carry these.

[marym]

Luann the link in your earlier post is not working- what product are you wanting in natural longer lengths?

[Luann Udell]

It's the new "guy" leather cord finished necklaces.  One example is here:
finished braided cord necklace
and another one is here:
plain round cord finished necklace

They are both very nice, though the round cord has those cheap glue-on ends that don't hold up as well.  I've been replacing the clasps with bigger ones from my stash.  It would be great if these also came in 20" and longer, but 18" is a good start!   '>

Luann Udell yes i have seen ur links they are really nice.