Monticore

not sure it would be able to handle 5-6mm thick leather though, i have tried mahcine shops, tool and die shops, tool shops just haven't found one willing to make it yet. with nothing in my area having to do everything via phone or e-mail is time consuming. was just hoping for an easier. thanks for everybodies help cory

would a 1/4 crew punch give the same look or more of a square finish cory

tried the 1/4 bag punch results were ok but not what i am looking for. i e-mail some other makers who had better holes and they seem to have had theirs custom made. anybody know someone who could make a 2x6mm rectangle punch, i asked a local blacksmith but he said no hehe. cory

dealt with them twice now and the service has been great no matter who i talk or how specific my needs/demands are they have been great fast reply's and have sent me some nice leathers. cory

thanks guys i wilhave a look at those osbourne punches. cory

i am looking for a punch to make 6mm rectangles like the ones in the strap pictured. http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/43772/2068580800105067276S500x500Q85.jpg

the strap cutter definatly works better on certain types of leather, thin, stretchy, upholstry leathers don't seen to work as well. http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=2532389&rid=2003 i use a similar method to the 1 in this tutorial, i cut my strips wider than i need and then trim them to size once glued, with softer leather having it doubled/lined it keeps it from stretching, and makes my edges better. using a utility knife take some practice aswell, just make sure its sharp.alos make sure your ruler has a cork backing.

i think the pigskin is split. but you are probably better off getting straight from tandy. i tried to figure out a cost thatwas fair but factoring in shipping its cheaper to get it from tandy. i can get you the product codes from tadny of what i have. cory

http://www.cancart.net/quietfiredesign.ca/...category_id=534 sells it by the yard not sure if there is a limit or not but i bought some in 25 yards. canadian site in canadian dollars, for you canadians( yes i used canadian way too much there ) cory

30us + actual shiping from canada probably like 25us. make me an offer if it doesn't sound fair, would consider trades 5-6oz oil tanned hides. 22 square feet cory coryp@vianet.ca or 1-705-753-1218

still have that chromed tan hide 35 us +25 us for shipping. just seems like its wasting away in my workshop.

jim thanks for all the info. thanks for taking some of your time in helping. using surgical gloves has helped with pulling needles through, i think i am using 0 or 000 sized needles the smallest ones from tandy, i will try and get bit bigger ones it would probably help. one last question would u still suggest an awl with supper soft leathers, since most of the stuff i use isn't tooling type leather i have problems with my softer leather with it pulling my glued pices apart sometimes or distorting the leather . this might be due to awl sharpness though .

here is my try with the awl , 7per inch, grooved line, 3ply thread from mainthread. i am a bit afraid to run a deep groove due to the 5oz leathers(doubled) i have not seem much leather work so i am not sure if this is acceptible or should i make my holes smaller/bigger . i use a spacer on my awl to keep my depth consistent. the backside didn't turn on great my groove was shallower and i have bad lighting /shadows etcc in my work area. tips always welcome

the problem i have with the awl 1 is practice hehe but 2 is i am not sure how big to make my holes i am using 3, 4 sometimes 7 cord thread , with the small holes i find it hard to pull the needle through , i don't want to use pliers everytime. are my holes too small maybe?, if i make them a bit bigger the awl holes shoe too much and i don't like the look. i like that idea of using a wire, i had though about using stitching awl (without the thread) just for making the holes. if you could psot a pic of you wire tool i can see about making 1. cory

watch straps maybe cory

thanks beener i'll check them out. cory

anybody know anywhere in ontario it is possible to find different unique leathers not normaly found at tandy or online leather stores. cory

i picked up a hand sewing book and i was doing it way wrong i was twisting the needles which made a big knot in each hole which neede a lot of tension or bigger holes to get a nice even flush look on the leather. i am using a ozbourne awl that i have modifed a bit to give a bob douglas sized hole but its definetly not as sharp as it would need to be. i live in northern ontario where the closest leather tannery or tandy is 4 hours drive away so i have done all my learning online/here and buying leather online is tough.even the leather watch straps i make i have no idea how good they are since i have never seen another strapmakers work in the flesh.the customers have been happy but i know they can be much better. here is a pic of 1 of my latest done with thonging chisel the one that give an awl shaped hole maybe thonging is a bad term

any tricks to corners i get a nice square corner top side but underneath i can't seem to get a nice square. with a saddle stitch i get 1 thread trying to kinda cross over the other one(if that makes sense) cory

i am with marlin on the rotary punch the people who use them get a nice finsihed consitant look but i don;t like seeing the holes too much. the only reason i started using a thonging chisel , the angled ones that give a awl look was because i wasn't doing it right and needed the bigger holes or my edges would buckle/my backside would not look clean. i always thought you needed a knot a full knot to be saddle stitch . i understand that you only need them locked to create the tension to hold the stitch . i should am a very visual person and learning everything online has been a bit tough to get used too. no classes or leather stores are withing 4 hour drive from my place. my stitch look tons better already so i will try using the awl again.

this is the one i looked at , i was making a knot in everyhole which kept me from getting them to sit the way they should. cory

well i just found another tutorial on youtube adn i tired his technique and i am getting the reulst shown in the lower pic, so i guess i was doing wrong/different. cory

also the bottom picture is borrowed from another maker

i actualy was using a angled thonging chisel , but i get the same results wheater is use my awl/chisels etc.. the technique i use or i thinbk i am using i got from this online tutorial http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19963 but i don't seem to get the looks other strap makers get , like more sepration between stitches etc.. cory