New techniques. Wet forming and baseball stitch

[Littlef]

A little practice on some new techniques.  I have my little Coehorn Mortar, and I keep adding new pieces to the Artillery Kit.  I just finished the bore swab, which obviously started off as a toilet brush.  It originally had a grippy rubber handle, and I ripped that off, and fashioned a wooden handle.  The remaining shaft is an odd tapered oval shape, and then there's a plastic ridge where the brush starts.  This was challenging to get the leather lay right, and form properly over the ridge.  I used binder clips to clamp it in place, and then as it dried, I used a paper folder to work the ridge until it held the shape.  The stitch line isn't perfectly symmetrical, but the shaft itself oddly shaped.  Its good enough for my purposes, and it was a good opportunity to try a couple things I hadn't done before.  And now, it more closely matches the aesthetic of the remainder of the kit. 

 

 

[Bert03241]

very cool

[Littlef]

16 hours ago, Bert03241 said:

very cool

Thank you sir.

[DanC]

I'd say you did a very good job - very few people are perfect!

Welcome to Normal!!

[Evierosie]

On 11/30/2024 at 8:57 PM, Littlef said:

A little practice on some new techniques.  I have my little Coehorn Mortar, and I keep adding new pieces to the Artillery Kit.  I just finished the bore swab, which obviously started off as a toilet brush.  It originally had a grippy rubber handle, and I ripped that off, and fashioned a wooden handle.  The remaining shaft is an odd tapered oval shape, and then there's a plastic ridge where the brush starts.  This was challenging to get the leather lay right, and form properly over the ridge.  I used binder clips to clamp it in place, and then as it dried, I used a paper folder to work the ridge until it held the shape.  The stitch line isn't perfectly symmetrical, but the shaft itself oddly shaped.  Its good enough for my purposes, and it was a good opportunity to try a couple things I hadn't done before.  And now, it more closely matches the aesthetic of the remainder of the kit. 

 

 

That’s some impressive craftsmanship! Adapting a toilet brush into a period-accurate bore swab is a creative touch, and the leatherwork sounds like a real challenge. Even if the stitch line isn’t perfect, the functionality and overall aesthetic make it a solid addition to your artillery kit. Always great to see historical pieces with a personal touch!

[TomE]

Looks very professional to me.  Lots better than my baseball stitching.  Do you use one needle or two?  Are you prepunching holes or using a sharp/glovers needle?  I'm trying to get the hang of baseball stitching to secure thin patches as an inexpensive leather repair.  Would welcome any tips.  

[Littlef]

17 hours ago, DanC said:

I'd say you did a very good job - very few people are perfect!

Welcome to Normal!!

Thank you very much.  It’s what I call, good enough.  It’s certainly better than just a white piece of plastic.  Just trying to make the tools blend in with what “could be” period correct.  

[Littlef]

3 hours ago, TomE said:

Looks very professional to me.  Lots better than my baseball stitching.  Do you use one needle or two?  Are you prepunching holes or using a sharp/glovers needle?  I'm trying to get the hang of baseball stitching to secure thin patches as an inexpensive leather repair.  Would welcome any tips.  

Thanks Tom.  I did two needles.  I’m no expert.  I think this was the first time trying a baseball stitch.  I watched a couple youtube videos, and went for it.  Since this was an odd shape…. It’s not round, it’s more oval.  And it tapers, being thicker at the handle, to thinner right before there’s the wall around the brush head.  I wetted the leather, and took binder clips and pulled it as tight as they would hold.  About every 15-20 minutes I’d look it over, and see where it was stretching and getting “baggy”.  Then I’d pull it tight again, and do a little trimming, if need be.  Once it formed and quit stretching and contracting, I punches the stitch holes, and did the baseball stitch.  
 

and I just used regular straight saddle stitching needle.  I bet with ,correct curved baseball stitch needles, you could get a tight more precise stitch line…. With practice.  

Edited Saturday at 09:32 PM by Littlef

[Littlef]

15 hours ago, Evierosie said:

That’s some impressive craftsmanship! Adapting a toilet brush into a period-accurate bore swab is a creative touch, and the leatherwork sounds like a real challenge. Even if the stitch line isn’t perfect, the functionality and overall aesthetic make it a solid addition to your artillery kit. Always great to see historical pieces with a personal touch!

Thank you very much.  It’s been a really fun project, that I’ve been slowly adding to for a couple years,   One little piece at a time.