jimmy eng Report post Posted March 30, 2011 I thought it would be a funny and insightful topic to bring up because there are times when you don't have the 'proper' tool for a project and for someone like me that's starting out and can only afford essential tools I found a couple of 'novel' ways to put things I have to use. I read that a lot of people here use drill presses to make stitch holes and Dremel rotary tools to burnish edges. I've seen the Dremel being used before in a documentary for the brand Hermes and got one the other day at the pawn store which I can't wait to test out. I've made a tiny stitching pony out of a mini vice grip and scrap wood I had at home which I use for small work like wallets and key fobs. It's not good for anything else but it does the job! And I've used books as a substitute wood block, you can use the pages to work out the appropriate dimensions, cut up the book to size etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy eng Report post Posted March 30, 2011 And here's me using the mini stitching pony on a key case. I sit on a office chair because that way I can swivel and shine the light at any angle of the leather I'm working on. It helps a lot when you're dealing with black thread on black dyed leather at night! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TexasJack Report post Posted March 31, 2011 There is an old "Tool Conversion Rule": When no hammer is within reach, the nearest tool magically becomes a hammer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy eng Report post Posted March 31, 2011 There is an old "Tool Conversion Rule": When no hammer is within reach, the nearest tool magically becomes a hammer. Well said! I'm pretty slack so if what I need isn't within arms reach anything will do. I just bought some kids' wooden blocks from the charity store which will be great for blocks, save on buying timber and they're almost cut to size. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seveneves Report post Posted April 6, 2011 (edited) This a bouncer I made out of a ball hitch. It is nice and heavy. I ground down the edge on top but then I realized it was leaving black marks. This is an old screw driver I ground down to use as a scratch awl. This is an old chainsaw tool I turned into a bleeder for cutting the saddle string slots. It works great. These aren't the prettiest pliers but they work great around the horn and cantle. These are some old screw drivers I turned into ticklers. They works great. I like the smaller one better. This is a plexi-glass slicker. Credit goes to Jeremiah Watt on this idea. I turned this string puller/tightener out of black walnut. Haven't used this one yet. This is a lace cutter. Only used this once. But then started using a little cheap plastic one. Here's a few more: These was made for skiving leather. I think it's a good idea but couldn't get it to work. This is also for skiving leather. This one actually works. The only drawback is you can't do wider than about 1.5" Edited April 6, 2011 by seveneves Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy eng Report post Posted April 8, 2011 (edited) I love your skivers, Seveneves, brilliant work. Too bad the first one didn't turn out, that's how I'd imagine I'd make one. What was the issue with it? I think on another post I saw a fella make a bouncer out of doorknobs. NB Just realised your name is a palindrome, sweet! Edited April 8, 2011 by jimmy eng Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
