Tandy's Pro Line Stitching Chisels

[reddevil76]

When I saw Tandy has release a new line of stitching chisels, my first thought was "Boy, are they gonna give those chisels at goodsjapan a run for their money!"

I already have 6 Seiwa chisels in different sizes and prongs set up. But still, I bought another 5 of Tandy's just for having the variety of prong spacing.

Today is the 2nd time i am using the 3mm 6 prong, and after a few times of going through 2 layers of 3-4 oz leather, the prongs bent! And since I bought it through an ebay seller, I'm sure Tandy definitely would not honour an exchange.

My elite membership expired on Nov 11 and I didn't bother to renew it because I've sort of made up my mind never to buy leather from them again. And if I'm gonna just buy some liquids and tools from time to time, I don't think I'll ever "make back" the $150 membership fee.

But it looks like I'll never buy their tools ever again either.

Tandy just seems to suck for every other thing.

[HellfireJack]

Maybe you picked up some cheap knock offs on Ebay? I'd check the seller on Ebay either way. Most of them offer 30 day returns if they're resellers. With the line being so new I can't see them being purchased and already being sold unless there was a problem with it already. Maybe you get had?

I purchased the Pro Line diamond stitching chisels with 3mm spacing in both the 2 and 4 prong last weekend to try the new line out myself and I'm not having any problem with them going through 2 layers of 8/10oz Herman Oak leather and I'm pretty rough with the mallet. I can't see the 6 prong really being that much different. I'm planning on buying the others in the set along with the 2mm and 4mm spacing sets.

[ContactCement]

My hands and I don't tolerate an awl and awl haft very long without feeling pain later. Many stitching punches are poorly described leaving people in the dark. Here is what I found out when I received my order and opened the package. I'm asking other leather crafters to took the time to post their favorite brand, spacing and results. My results are limited for now as I'm waiting on # 150 heavy waxed thread and needles to ship.

I just received my Craftool Pro Fine Diamond 3.5mm 88057  01 and 08 tooth in the mail today and I'm impressed with the quality and that they are sharp. I have not tried the holes made with waxed thread in punched leather yet (still getting supplies shipped) My first diamond stitching chisels were imported to the US from China and produced a nice 8 stitches per inch. Anyhow my Craftool pro fine stitching punch 3.5mm  dimensions are nowhere near 100% accurate as in tool and die. They are approximate measurements using a steel rule and cheap imported h f digital caliper. Single punch tine thickness shoulder to shy of the tip 0.041"- 0.055 1.09mm -1.51mm  Single punch tine tapered width 0.123" 0.125" 2.63mm -3.08mm  Tine length 3/8" 9mm,  Handle length 4 1/2" 114mm,  Handle width 5/16" 8 mm,  Handle thickness 3/16" 4.68mm  The Large Stitching Punch is 1 3/16" width and tip to tip is 0.144 &  4mm. Using folded paper as a feeler gauge in between the times on an angle 0.38" -.040"  The photo shows the tines markings into cardboard because leather closes up. The craft tool pro 8 tooth stitching punch (is approximately  7 stitches per inch) The holes it made are approximately 5/32" center of diamond to center of diamond. The corner of diamond to corner of diamond is approximately 1/8"   Compared to the un-named Chinese import corner of diamond to corner of diamond  1/16" with 1/8" approximately spacing with 8 stitches per inch.

If you have a favorite brand or quality diamond stitching chisel that doesn't break your piggy bank and makes your work look great or favorite spacing please speak up and post some images. I still have to order some thread to get started.