Tugadude

RockyAussie, your generosity in sharing your methods is nothing short of incredible.

There is a Tandy video where they demonstrate how to create your own board for sharpening edgers. If you keep the edges sharp those tools work just fine.

Tandy sells two basic types of chisel. The black ones and the stainless steel ones. The black ones are similar to some of the popular diamond-shaped tools out there and yes, they measure those differently so you have to be careful when ordering. The black ones are coated, that is what makes them black. They are pretty smooth. Used with bee's wax blend to help lubricate they work pretty well. I still use a block of wood when punching through thicker leather to enable the chisel to be pulled out without twisting. The stainless steel ones are totally different, sort of an elongated diamond shape, more like a slit and less chunky than the black ones. I have two sets, one for finer work, 2.5 mm, and the other for larger items where I'm looking for more strength. The larger chisel, 3.5 mm, allows me to use 1.0 mm thread. Nigel Armitage reviews the Tandy Craftool Pro chisels on a youtube video. He wasn't as fond of the smaller irons as he was of the larger ones if I remember correctly.

Check out this thread for facts on the change, the reason and the results....

For what it is worth I have decided after a couple of days reflection to at least back away from the forum for awhile. Might be back, might not, we'll see. Right now the "fire" is gone. I guess as a "going away" post I want to clarify what I said above. I stand by everything I said and feel that it was pretty accurate. One, small thing that I said could be interpreted as being in error, but in actuality may not be is using a sewing machine to make holes. I've never punched a sewing needle through leather and then sat and watched to see if the hole closes up, perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn't. Maybe the size of needle in relation to thread also makes a difference. Guess we'll have to do a double-blind study with all of the variables accounted for. Volunteers line up to the right. What I do know is that if you use a drill press with a drill bit and turn it on it is going to make a hole and that hole won't close up. That was the main point of my post, trying to establish the superiority of an awl when making holes versus a drill bit that is not tapered. This point was lost on some. I could have been clearer. I meant HOLES, like the huge ones on some pre-punched projects sold in stores. That sort of hole. Sorry I wasn't clear. An awl used in a drill press that is not turned on, simply used to move it up and down is somewhat equal to using the awl stitch-by-stitch. The difference is that when you do them all in advance, they begin closing as soon as you punch (assuming you remove the awl!), so in effect they will shrink somewhat by the time you get the work into the pony. Easy enough to go through them with the awl again if that presents problems. The hole is already there, just expand it. Regarding making sure information is accurate, I have spaced this post out to make it easier to cut-and-paste and correct. We don't want misinformation polluting all of the future information seekers. I mean, the internet is all full or truth and accuracy, right? Take care all. I've learned a lot from this forum. I wish for nothing but success in its future!

There is a difference between quibbling and sincere interest. Some folks like to sit back and interject when they see what they believe to be an error. In recent weeks I have seen posts that I feel are really opinionated and unnecessary. I have never poked the tiger, but rather tried to add clarity. I suppose my attempt muddied the waters in the eyes of some. Time to go silent for awhile and take a break. I might come back, might not. I might fade away as many have done here. A lot of once great voices on this forum have run off. Just look at some of the old threads. To those who are active here and supportive, I say good luck and it has been fun. Maybe our paths will cross again! Ray

I'm going to stop trying to be helpful around here.

I think there needs to be some clarification. An awl penetrates through the leather, but the actual hole it creates is smaller than the width of the awl. When it is pressed through the leather, only the tip cuts, then the awl tapers out but it is not sharp, it doesn't cut. It only EXPANDS the hole. When it is removed and the thread is inserted, it then begins closing up. Hammering afterwards also causes the hole to close even more. If you cut the leather, the cut stays pretty much the same size as the initial cut. Leather can shrink, but it doesn't "self-heal". A hole can shrink in certain circumstances, but I think if you use a drill press or sewing machine to make holes they stay the same as the diameter of whatever made the hole. An awl in a drill press is similar to an awl in hand and I have to believe that the hole will close up some if it is punched and left alone for awhile. It is just the way it is. Maybe it isn't noticeable because the awl is large to begin with and you have not difficulty inserting the thread. In the end, if it works for you, keep doing what you do. If not, try the methods suggested here and find the one that does.

Instead of saying the "preferred method", I think it is more accurate to say the "more traditional" method. There is a reason why many expert saddle stitchers still prefer using an awl and believe it is the ultimate way to ensure quality products. One reason is that when the right sized awl is used for the job, the width of the slit can be controlled so that the hole isn't so large that it is obvious after the thread is put through. Also, a properly sharpened and polished awl pierces the leather but doesn't cut all the way through. The tip of the awl is sharp to penetrate the leather but the sides are polished smooth but not sharp. This way the awl expands the leather enough to allow the thread to pass through easily but then it almost immediately begins to close back. That is why pre-punching with an awl isn't as effective as punching as you go. With an awl you also have control over the angle, which for beginners can be a struggle. For that reason and others you are seeing an explosion of stitching chisels. These chisels are hammered through the leather, creating holes (either diamond shaped or not) that allow for fairly rapid, accurate work. The type of chisel used, the shape of the teeth, the angle of same and the spacing all effect the finished work. Some irons are chunky diamond-shaped affairs and can be quite visible after stitching. Others are quite fine and disappear as well as those created by and awl. The choice of thread obviously impacts this too. Using too fine a thread can also result in showing too much of the slit. I see examples of this quite often. Some otherwise traditional leatherworkers are warming up to stitching chisels. They see that a fairly high degree of quality can be achieved with little experience. That makes chisels especially good for beginners. As their confidence grows through turning out quality work, they can also begin practicing with an awl. Some projects lend themselves to one or the other. Fine, soft leather likely is better approached with a small awl. Much more to say but I encourage you to watch (if you haven't), Nigel Armitage's youtube videos on stitching and on various stitching irons, chisels, pricking irons, etc. They are not all created equal. Pricking irons typically mark holes, not make them and stitching irons or chisels make holes. But on very thin leather, pricking irons can indeed make holes and stitching chisels can certainly be used to simply mark holes in a straight line. So there is some crossover. Hope that helps for a starter.

Nice job! Wondering though why the stitching on the tops of the hidden pockets? Is there a lining behind there that I missed? I usually leave those unstitched so they resemble the other pockets.

Beautiful work. It all comes together, color, pattern, everything. Even the photography is good. Congratulations.

I'll think on that project awhile. Funny you mention ebikes. There are a lot of nervous folks out there thinking that we're in the midst of a paradigm shift where the "standard" bicycle will become obsolete. I suppose we'll see. I do enjoy fixing bikes, but have been too busy with other "stuff" to spend a lot of time on it. There was a time I was restoring one a month. I have more than a dozen bikes in the garage at the moment. Most are finished but there are a few projects waiting for my attention. One thing you might investigate is a dyna hub. Dyna hubs (short for dynamo) generate electricity and eliminate the need for a battery.

Very, very cool. One of my "other" hobbies is restoring and collecting vintage bicycles. Mainly older 10 speeds such as Motobecane, Bianchi, etc. I can appreciate your project due to my experiences. I'll bet it is a real conversation starter!

I'm sticking with my theory that it is homemade

There are literally dozens of threads on this forum that will be helpful. Some folks have compiled long lists of "must haves" and others have listed various recommended vendors. I recommend that you get a hard copy of the Tandy and Springfield Leather Company catalogs. They show all kinds of tools and will help educate you in the process.

Very cool! I also love the hooves. Unless there is some identifiable maker's mark, there is always the possibility that it was homemade. In any event, glad you have it and can show it the love it deserves.

Here is a post that deals with this question. Dwight is known to give good advice, based upon experience, not theory. To be safe, I'd stick with veg-tanned leather. Or oil-tanned with a chrome-free lining leather.

LIDA Leather, your first name backwards. Then you can use LL as your "brand".

Makes perfect sense to me. Dye can spread too far if you aren't careful.

In the end, use whatever method works for you. I've seen hidepounder's work and mine couldn't compare in the least. Folks should try both ways and decide for themselves.

Don't need to derail the thread so I'll simply say we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

If you want to lose your faith in humanity, just read comments below an article, social media post or youtube video. Personally, I have little faith in humanity and lots of faith in God.

Welcome paloma!

yep!

Just another myth foisted upon an unsuspecting crowd... https://www.thoughtco.com/oil-comes-from-dinosaurs-fact-or-fiction-3980636