tylerbrinks

To anyone who has used a Bob Douglas awl blade - what brands of hafts will they fit other than the Bob Douglas brand hafts? I understand that they fit hafts by BearMan (custom) Osborne (not sure which size) Has anyone else used them with other brands like Tandy or Dixon? I'm trying to save on $$ and use the tools I already have. Thanks for the input.

What thickness of leather did you use for each item? I'm thinking of doing a very similar project - tube and reel case - and I'm not sure what thickness or type of leather to use. Thanks for the input, and nice work!

What thickness of leather did you use for each item? I'm thinking of doing a very similar project - tube and reel case - and I'm not sure what thickness or type of leather to use. Thanks for the input, and nice work!

I've got a project that's 90% complete - just needs stitching. I figured I'd practice a bit on scraps before giving the final piece a go. So, I have a section about 6 inches long where there are 2 pieces of 6/7 oz veg tan leather glued together. That's where I need to stitch. I glued 2 scraps of the same leather together for practice, stitching groove and all. My chisels aren't long enough to get through both pieces of leather, so I have to find some other means to get nicely spaced and even holes through both pieces. I tried my awl and it's amazingly hard to get it through both pieces. Whether I use a lacing pony or not, the pieces pucker enough that I can't seem to get the awl to emerge in the groove on the opposite side. Even when I do, it seems like it's too hard to get the needles through, especially the 2nd one. In all the videos I've watched, it seems like awls are going through leather like a hot knife through butter. I'm assuming that either I'm doing something wrong, or that's just too much leather to push through. The only other idea I've come across so far is to drill with a Dremel press (which I happen to have). So, in short, can you help me sort out how to stitch through larger thicknesses of leather (how to prep, should it be moist/wet, tips to stay straight and even, end up in the grooves), or ideas on using a Dremel (or similar) drill for punching holes? Thanks for the help - being new to the hobby isn't short of it's learning opportunity!

What thickness of leather did you use for each item? I'm thinking of doing a very similar project - tube and reel case - and I'm not sure what thickness or type of leather to use. Thanks for the input, and nice work!

I'm brand new to leather working - so far I've been playing around with tools to get the hang of things. One thing that's puzzling to me is the right way to cut leather. I picked up a 5/6 oz veg tan shoulder from Tandy as a place to start. Videos I'm watching online show people cutting through leather like butter. I have an extremely sharp utility knife with a brand new blade. Even with that, it's taking numerous passes to cut through the shoulder (on a good cutting surface). It's also leaving somewhat rough edges. What's the right process to prep leather for cutting? Does leather need to be cased first before cutting is smooth? Many thanks for the input.