How to make a biothane lead

How do you make a biothane lead?

Do you need a lead, but no manufacturer offers exactly what you want? Or do you simply enjoy making things?

Making a lead from round biothane is not as difficult as it might seem.

All you need is sharp scissors, pliers, a heat gun or a candle and a little skill

What will you need?

Of course, material by the metre

Choose a colour and remember to allow for overlaps at the joins when adding the required amount to your basket. Add 5 cm for each join when using 6 mm biothane and 6 cm when using 8 mm biothane.

Next, you will need hardware. For a simple lead, all you need is a snap hook:  For more complex leads, such as multi-position leads, you will need a ring, or swivel

Biothane is joined using clamps:

An 6 mm clamp is suitable for joining round biothane with a diameter of 6,4 mm.

An 8 mm clamp is suitable for joining round biothane with a diameter of 8 mm.

To cover the clamp, it is a good idea to use heat-shrink tubing. It prevents chafing for you or your dog and also neatly covers the clamp if the join is not quite perfect.

 Making the lead

As with any job: measure twice, cut once. Cut the required length of biothane, remembering to allow for the folded sections

Now slide the tubing onto the biothane. Later, you would not be able to get it over larger rings or snap hooks.

Slide the snap hook or other hardware into the right position, fold the biothane into the clamp and make the join

Crimp the clamp with combination pliers. To avoid scratching it, press it through a thin cloth.

The result should look something like this:

We make the handle loop 20 cm long — and remember the overlap again! Of course, you can make it larger or smaller. It is your lead, after all.

Now slide the heat-shrink tubing over the clamp and shrink it using a heat gun or a candle.

Your lead is finished.

We would love you to show us what you have made.