Mushroomed Straight Chisel

[rdragons]

First attempt at making lacing holes with a straight chisel. Both Chisels are mushroomed from having to hit so hard to get them through the leather. I had shiny chips of chisel plating coming off all around my work.

The Tandy video makes it look easy.

http://www.tandyleat...tch-Lacing.aspx

I used a piece of hardwood with a scrap of belt leather as a buffer to protect the tool blade after its through the piece I am working on.

But it took such an extreme amount of force that the tools are mushrooming.

Obviously something is resisting the tools progress.

They are new tools and should be sharp.

After, I thought about wetting the leather to make it softer, but haven't found anything on the internet that says to do that.

What is wrong that my chisels are mushrooming.

Edited January 30, 2010 by rdragons

[westtxcowboy1979]

What kind of hammer are you using? It's best if you use a polly mallet or raw hide. You should probly sharpen the chisels to. Hope this helps

[whinewine]

What is wrong that my chisels are mushrooming.

Did you use a metal hammer?

If so, this is why.

NO leathertools are made to be struck with a metal hammer. None.

russ

[Timd]

Those punches need to be sharpened, polished, and stropped. Start with 400 grit wet/drysand paper, then 600, then you can strop it. Hidecrafters has a George Hurst video explaining it much better than I can, but I hope you get the idea. And like Russ said, metal hammers are taboo!

Edited January 30, 2010 by Timd

[somewhereinusa]

When you're done with the sharp end you need to dress the top too. Put a nice bevel around the top. Those mushroomends can break off and put an eye out.

[Luke Hatley]

I USE AN END GRAIN PC OF WOOD, AFTER THE PUNCHES HAVE BEEN RE-SHARPENED, THEN I POLISH THEM ON A BUFFING WHEEL. ALSO I HAVE A BLOCK OF PARAFIN CLOSE BY TO PUSH THE PRONGS IN EVER SO OFTEN. TRY IT...........I USE A RAWHIDE MAUL.....MO METAL TO HAMMER WITH.

[WyomingSlick]

QUESTION - What are the dark lines on your leather? It looks like you drew the pattern on the leather with a pencil. Generally speaking, most everybody uses a stylus or pen to trace the pattern onto the leather which results only in an impression of the lines into the leather. They do not mark directly on the leather with a pen or pencil. I suspect those marks are going to be hard to remove.

As thin as that leather looks, your lacing punches should be sharp enough to push them through with your hand - At least, a single layer.

As far as a mallet to hit them with - a deadblow plastic hammer that is filled with metal shot is an economical alternative. You can find them in generally any tool store, or at walmart.

[Storm]

For what it's worth that mushrooming looks very pronounced and the same degree on both chisels.  I am also looking at what appears to be flattening on the chisel points which leads me to believe you might not have been using a poundo board or something similar. In over 30 years I have never had a tool mushroom like that and would agree that the only thing I can think of that would do it is a metal hammer. I too ask the question why are you using a lead pencil directly on the leather? Another tip I can come up with is to push your chisel points into beeswax. The thin layer will make the chiseling go much quicker and cleaner. I have also felt that next to a swivel knife your mallet is your next most and important tool. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Storm

PS: The only person I ever heard of that used a metal hammer was "Billy 2 shews". Granted it mushroomed his tools but he's one of the finest around. Check out his gallery here on the site:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=viewimage&img=465

[rdragons]

Thanks to all who responded.

westtxcowboy1979

whinewine

Timd

somewhereinusa

Luke Hatley

After serious consideration from everyone's input I have decided I need the 16 oz polymer mallet. I visited both WalMart and Sears today and had no luck in locating a polymer. Did find a dead blow hammer at Sears, but I have enough leather experience to realize it is like Storm says, next to the swivel knife the mallet is the most important tool there is. So will stop by Tandy tomorrow after work and get the polymer.

Also will be sharpening the chisels and grinding the mushroom off. Even though I don't know why they weren't sharp brand new right out of the bag. I also think I will try punching the holes while the leather is cased instead of letting it dry out.

wyoming slick

Storm

The dark lines are from carbon paper used to trace the pattern. I have used carbon paper to transfer patterns since I started dabbling in leather. Earlier work was mostly painted. Then my wife bought me the basic set of six tools and I did the Victoria Clutch Purse. If you look hard enough you can see hints of the lines only because I used a flash to take the picture. What color remains ends up in the knife cuts and adds an outlining shading effect which I like. For the most part the lines are not noticeable after applying neatsfoot oil.

As to the current project I finished lacing this morning and applied the first coat of neatsfoot this evening. If the carbon paper lines still work for me I will post a picture.

[rdragons]