Made some stitching awls

[SmilinJim]

I've bought Tandy awls and Osbourn awls and didn't like the feel of either. Blades are not interchanceable between the two either. So like my daddy taught me, if you can't find it , make it. I bought some pin vise heads on the internet. They come with 3 different size collets so I can change blades from just about any source. I made two different awls. The first uses a piece of Carribou(?) antler, for when I need to apply a lot of pressure with larger needles. The second is holding the smaller osbourn needle and fits my palm a little better. In the last pic I have a regular sewing machine needle, for leather, so I don't have to use the larger needles that come with most hand sewing tools. I've got some Whitetail deer antlers that I'm going to make a handle from that will probably replace the large Carribou handle. In the end I guess it's just me. I like to tinker with things. LOL

[pepin1948]

Yours will probably last better too! That's really nice work!

[Billsotx]

Jim, I've been moving a box of those egg lookin' things around my workbench for a while now. Now I know why I didn't toss them ... lol! Thanks for sharing those pix.

[SmilinJim]

Put em to use Bill. 79 cents from Hobby Lobby and a 1/4 inch drill bit and a 3/8 inch bit in a drill press. Works wonders. My motto is simple solutions from a simple mind. Actually my first was modifying a hand sewing tool to accept an old Dremel tool chuck so I could use smaller needles for lighter leathers and cloths. Works okay too. Guess I've just got too much time on my hands while at home. LOL

Keep on smilin

Jim

[Billsotx]

I agree - KISS - keep it simply simple ....

[Romey]

I make my own as well, I thought Id toss in a tip > bust a eraser from a pencil to use as a guard on the tip of the awl, helps keep it sharp when being bounced around in a drawer or work bench.

Edited February 14, 2007 by Romey

[Billsotx]

What about the cork in that jug of vino you got hid out in your saddle bags? ... tastes better than chewing on a pencil, especially the ones with lead paint on them ... lol

Edited February 15, 2007 by Billsotx

[SmilinJim]

When you've had enough of the vino the awls work great holding those little sausages too. You can use the corks then cause you don't have to put em back in the bottle.

[STPENNER]

I was doing a project with a serious deadline, and broke the only awl haft I had. I had to improvise and wasn't sure what to do. I went to the hardware store, looking for ANYTHING that might work. I ended up buying a replacement chuck for a speed drill. Slide the blade in , tighten it up and away I went. Fits nicely in the palm , and I've been using it ever since.

Scott