leatherhead117 Report post Posted December 12, 2009 Hello, I have been hanging around and visiting this site pretty regularly for several months now. Great site, by the way. Hoping to be able to post some pics of my work soon, no camera available when I get finished with one. Anyway, I've learned a lot from this site, but haven't posted very much. A little gun shy I suppose. But here goes. I am working on a present for my mother in law, a set of personalized coasters. Nothing compared to what I've seen on here, again greatness all over this site. What I need help with is the container that will hold the coasters. I have cut out a piece of leather in a square and wanted to miter the edges, then sew another piece, 4 total, on opposite corners. That way they have something just as nice, made of leather, to keep them in. My miters need a lot of work. they all end up uneven and well, just bad. Is there a tool for this or does anyone know how to make one? A frustrated mind would like to know. Please, any help would be welcome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spence Report post Posted December 12, 2009 You need an adjustable V-Groover. It'll cut out the groove so you can fold up the sides, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted December 12, 2009 There are a lot of people here who can tell you the proper way to do it, but what it really takes is practice. Sometimes it takes LOTS of practice to get it right. Practice on lots of scraps, and make sure you keep your knife wicked sharp. It can help to skive with the edge of the leather almost hanging off the edge of something, such as a plastic cutting board, so the tip of your knife can dip a bit lower. It also helps keep your blade sharp if you can run the tip of your knife on a piece of plate glass as you skive. Glass will not grab at the blade and dull it like plastic cutting board. Here are some videos that may help you out. Good luck, and please post some photos of your work when you can! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatherhead117 Report post Posted December 12, 2009 Okay, Thanks guys, I have an adjustable V-Groover, and it does do a good job, just not really for what I want to do. The videos are great, thanks leatherworker, and I am going to try the plate glass. You're right about practice, just got a little frustrated cause I wasn't seeing any improvement. Pictures are coming soon I promise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinhopkins Report post Posted December 13, 2009 Okay, Thanks guys, I have an adjustable V-Groover, and it does do a good job, just not really for what I want to do. The videos are great, thanks leatherworker, and I am going to try the plate glass. You're right about practice, just got a little frustrated cause I wasn't seeing any improvement. Pictures are coming soon I promise. Hi... I'm not the worlds foremost expert on Mitered edges, but I've made quite a number of round and square boxes using 45 degree angles. I've discovered that it's pretty easy to make the outside of the project look pretty good, but not as easy to make the inside look nice. A little bit of glued in lining just does wonders, and covers a multitude of sins!!! Best wishes! Kevin Hopkins Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted December 13, 2009 You can try making a wood jig that can help. Line up one edge (the other three edges don't really matter.) Screw two boards together temporarily, and cut a 45 degree angle on the edge that's lined up, then unscrew the pieces. Place the leather between the two boards and line the leather up to the bottom piece, place the top on the leather (line it all up). Then just cut off the protruding leather. it'll give you a perfect 45. I think this is shown in one of the Al Stohlman books. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hidepounder Report post Posted December 13, 2009 Leatherhead, The tool you are lookng for is a French edger. It will allow you to create miter edges. There is a learning curve regarding the use and sharpening but it will work very well if it's sharp. If it were me I would cut the the whole thing out where I could fold the sides up and only those edges would have to be sewn or laced together. Maybe that is what you're intending to do. If so you will use the adjustable gouge at the fold line to help the side fold. Hope this helps... Bobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
