Light weight press for making stitching holes quickly

[SteveOz]

I've been searching for a way to speed up punching holes for stitching. I'm not at the stage yet where I can justify the purchase of a sewing machine, but it's not far off.

I currently mark a stitching line on both sides of my work and then I punch half way through from one side with a diamond chisel. I then push all the way through with a needle to the other side. Then on the other side, I line the chisel points up with the pin holes on the second stitching line. And then I punch half way through again from the second side.

You're probably thinking what I already know... Yes, this is rather insane. But, I like to make neat stitching holes, what can I say.

Long story short, has anyone ever made a light weight press with a toggle clamp for making stitching holes? Please the attached photos. 

I think with an added guide fence, something like this could be very useful for light weight work...?

[dikman]

It might work, I guess, for lightweight stuff, but in my opinion you'd be better off using an arbor press with an adapter for the chisel. Or using a full size drill press.

[chrisash]

Have a look at the French style of irons, they have a flat blade rather than a diamond shape, and can slide to quite a thickness of leather with ease, and no need for the reverse side cut, if the leather is to thick and you don't want to use a awl then they sell French irons in a reverse direction for use on the back of the leather to ensure a nice stitch

[Wepster]

if you decide to make one, these toggle clamps from bessey auto adjust to maintain pressure over a range of thickness. Might be a good choice. 

https://www.bessey.de/en-us/bessey-tools-north-america/products/clamping-tools/auto-adjust-toggle-clamps

[SteveOz]

@dikman Thanks for your suggestions. I do have an arbor press that I use as a die clicker. I'm doing watch straps so they're 2- 2.5 mm at the most.

Edited June 22, 2023 by SteveOz

[SteveOz]

@chrisash Thanks for your suggestions. I've been toying with idea of getting some French pricking irons. I do like the look of the slots they make. But, I also like the way my Japanese stitching chisels are pointed and make it easy to align with the stitching line I make. They just drop into the groove. 

[SteveOz]

@Wepster Hey Wepster, thanks for that suggestion. That looks like just the thing and reasonably very reasonably priced too.

[RockyAussie]

Hi @SteveOz, you know I would favour a sewing machine myself but I would have a think about the multiple uses that can made with a cheap drill press. You can get very nice holes with a punch in a drill press and whether it is stitching chisel a little bit of fence building can save you a whole lot of time. The pics below are a setup I use when I want a line of holes spaced evenly apart and nice and quick as well.

Notice in the pic below where there is a little peg (3mm aluminum welding rod) which I have inserted into the wood. When I have made a hole it gets located onto the peg and the next hole gets punched. If I want a wider spacing I just move the fence in the vice and that's it.

Forgot to say they make great sanders and burnishes and the speed can be changed to suit the job. I will have to take a few shots of my little drill press that I use for a lot of that type of stuff.

Regards Brian

Edited June 22, 2023 by RockyAussie

[AlZilla]

11 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

Hi @SteveOz, you know I would favour a sewing machine myself but I would have a think about the multiple uses that can made with a cheap drill press. You can get very nice holes with a punch in a drill press and whether it is stitching chisel a little bit of fence building can save you a whole lot of time. The pics below are a setup I use when I want a line of holes spaced evenly apart and nice and quick as well.

Notice in the pic below where there is a little peg (3mm aluminum welding rod) which I have inserted into the wood. When I have made a hole it gets located onto the peg and the next hole gets punched. If I want a wider spacing I just move the fence in the vice and that's it.

Forgot to say they make great sanders and burnishes and the speed can be changed to suit the job. I will have to take a few shots of my little drill press that I use for a lot of that type of stuff.

Regards Brian

That is a great idea. I think I'll use it but I'll have to look for a used drill press since the one in my shop tends to be covered in oil most of the time. I can see it being very useful.

[fredk]

3 hours ago, SteveOz said:

. . .  I'm doing watch straps so they're 2- 2.5 mm at the most.

For that a domestic sewing machine will work - for punching holes using a leather needle. 

1. I picked up a working domestic in a charity shop for under £10. I also got an old (1970s) domestic 'free' with a sewing machine table I bought for £20. I use a domestic Singer 99K for punching holes around the perimeter of wallets and card cases

2. On manual, which I do, you can control the speed of making the holes, fast or slow

3. I use a magnetic guide on the sewing machine to set my edge to hole distance