hazymat

Hello My first stitching awl broke on me pretty much immediately (the blade snapped and the top got stuck in the handle), so I bought a more expensive awl haft with a chuck, and a medium-sized, straight diamond awl blade. The new blade is much stronger and has not snapped, however during the first third of my first project, the blade buckled about 5 times and I straightened it out with a vice. This appears to have blunted the thing, and now it barely manages to pierce the leather. So I have to buy a new blade. What am I doing wrong: I first used the awl to get through 1 layer of suede, then through 2 layers. Is this a bad idea, or should I be fine? I'm pressing with downward force into the suede, using off-cuts of tooling leather underneath. Is there a better way? Once I've made the hole with the tip, I find that I must push the blade all the way through (right up to the handle of the awl). The blade widens at the top, and this seems the only way to get the hole big enough to reliably get my needle through. To speed things up, I'm going over the whole project making small holes first, then back over the project to widen the hole. This requires pulling-up the edge of the suede or leather, however as it's so close to the edge, my leather is stretching a little. (I'm not using tooling leather for this project, I'm using softer leather and suede.) I'd love to make my holes more reliable, consistent, and break fewer awls! Should I be using a hole punch instead? I don't like to see the holes, and I think hole punches make holes too big. I'm very inexperienced so any comments would be gratefully received. Thanks Mat

I love the idea of a 3 layer bag with waterproof inter-lining. I'm trying to keep the bag as lightweight as possible, but also with a modicum of impact resistance. For example, I may want to sling it onto the ground (I don't mean *throw* it onto concrete, more 'gently let it drop on carpet'...) Given the above, do you reckon a 2mm outer leather (not too stiff) with some form of waterproof (neoprene?) inter-lining then a finer e.g. pigskin inner lining would be over-the-top? The other alternative is to sack the idea of fully waterproofing it, and go with some kind of thin industrial felt lining...

I'm planning my first leather project: a 'hybrid' bag, cross between a moulded leather slip case and a messenger bag... for an iPad 3 and accessories. My question is about the material for lining. I was thinking some kind of microfibre or neoprene as this will provide a level of waterproof protection and won't scratch the screen. What about some kind of leather lining? Is it advisable to use a fine leather for lining instead of microfibre, such as pig skin? Thanks, Mat

Hey. I love the pig sleeve. I am starting out in leatherworking and want to make something similar, with a very thin lining (maybe neoprene) plus additional, rigid pockets on the outside for keyboard and stand. Plus maybe a shoulder strap... 1/ May I ask what thickness / cut of leather you used? I'm thinking it's probably 2.5mm thickness. The reason I ask is that I think the exact thickness / rigidity will be critical in getting that effect, and the correct level of protection. Unfortunately I don't live near a place I can test out different thicknesses / cuts of leathers. 2/ What type of retainer do you have on the flap? It seems a little delicate for a whopping great buckle... 3/ Did you dye it yourself? Regards, Mat