by wjr953 » October 30th, 2008, 12:30 pm
Bret,
Yes, they did explain that they prefer lace orders in minimum quantities of 100 pcs. I didn't really challenge them on it, but I'm sure that they would work with someone if they wanted to order less. I believe what they're trying to avoid are piece meal customer orders along the lines of "2 of these, 6 of those, 12 of these, 19 of those, etc.". I can see where that could become very confusing, especially if they're producing rawhide lacing in great quantities. I don't have a real problem with the min. order quantity because I will use all of that rawhide up.
No, I didn't get into specific weight for what I ordered. According to the chart on the back of their sample card, (if I read it correctly) 3/16" x 72" = 12 oz. I will weigh up a piece of Tanner's 3/16" x 72" tonight to see what that weighs by comparison.
I have to agree with you on the thickness issue. My last order from Tanner's was several months ago. In addition, I had won several bundles of 3/16" x 34" about a year or so ago, when Tanner's was selling bundles of them on eBay. (Not an ideal size to be sure but I've found that size helpful when doing thumb/pinky pad runs, and/or finger runs that don't run through the web coil.) All of those laces are very thick and have caused some problems for me in the past. Most recently that Wilson ACH2170 that I have posted in Glove Pictures. With the Tanner's 3/16", the heel pad run was an absolute nightmare because of the closeness of the lacing holes going into and out of the palm area. When I finished, I literally could not close the glove properly, the rawhide was too thick and too stiff in the hinge area. I ended up re-lacing that section with the 3/16" from Triple C and it came out so much better. The hinge is still a little bit stiff, but that's just because it's new lace and needs to be broken in again. I decided to re-do the rest of the glove with Triple C lace, and I was much happier with the final product after the rework. I don't know what the thickness is on the newer runs of Tanner's that you're getting now, but if you want I can send you a piece of the older Tanner's stuff that I have, along with a piece of the new Triple C stuff, and you can do a comparison on them.
I know exactly what you mean about the work needed to pull those thicker laces through where they don't really want to go. I always prep my new laces with VPJ before I put them in so they'll slide better and I can tell you this, on that Wilson glove I had a workout that beat any weightlifting or treadmill session that I've done in the last two years! lol I was sweating and swearing and when I woke up the next day, my hands hurt like hell (arthritis) and my arms and shoulders were aching. That was hard work, let me tell you. Even using the "U" wire, (of which I've become more and more appreciative as a lacing tool), it was still a very, very difficult task getting those laces to pull through. For my money, glove re-lacing should never ever be that hard to do!! lol
Let me know if you want me to send those sample pieces along.
VBR, br