New Stitching Clam

[Lippy]

With lots of encouragement from JIMSADDLER, BARRA, and THE CAPGUN KID (see other stitching clam threads) I've just finished my stitching clam. It was made by steaming four veneers (approx .375" thick) of "Pacific Coast Maple" that were formed in a bending jig. It's 36" long and 3.375" wide which is perfect height for stitching while sitting in my deck chair. The "throat" is just under 4" at the widest point and about 19" in length.

I couldn't have done it without my forum friends. Thank you!

[King's X]

That sure is purdy! Nice job.

[Lippy]

Thank you!

I just use it for the first time. Wow . . . it's so cool.

[chouinardragon]

Hi,

It's gorgeous.

Would you please make one for me? My stitching poly does not go smoothly...

[barra]

Awesome job Lippy.

Barra

[UKRay]

That has to be the best looking set of clams I've ever seen. I hope they work as well as they look!

Ray

[Jimbob]

With lots of encouragement from JIMSADDLER, BARRA, and THE CAPGUN KID (see other stitching clam threads) I've just finished my stitching clam. It was made by steaming four veneers (approx .375" thick) of "Pacific Coast Maple" that were formed in a bending jig. It's 36" long and 3.375" wide which is perfect height for stitching while sitting in my deck chair. The "throat" is just under 4" at the widest point and about 19" in length.

I couldn't have done it without my forum friends. Thank you!

If your leather work is as clean as your wood work....watch out leather world!!>>>>>very nice work and very clever design, not sure about function.....is it just clamped between leather object or can u adjust pressure on the bottom...??

Any way, love the clean look!!

Greetings

James

[Lippy]

Here's an image That I posted in an earlier thread about stitching clamps or clamps. It shows them in use and gives a few different styles.

To open the jaws in my clamp it's as easy as making a fist with my left hand and sliding it down between the clamp halves. When the jaws open you place the item to be stitched in position using your right hand. Relax your left hand and the jaws close. The "head bolts" at the bottom do allow some minor adjustment for the tension on the the jaws. If you really wanted a stronger gripping jaw an ugly bolt and a wing nut could be placed higher up. Frankly . . . I think the fewer "wing nuts" in this world . . . the better. (Oops! That's another topic.) Anyway, wing nuts and protruding bolts, etc. are always a pain when the thread get caught on them as you are trying to pull the stitch tight. Placing the head bolts higher would have also increased the tension. A leather loop as shown in the middle set of clamps (see image and thanks to Barra for posting the clamps) would also add to the gripping tension.

Towards the end of this video about the making of a Hermes leather bag it shows clams in use. Once you get past the sales "fluff" the video shows some really fast hand saddle stitching too by folks who look like they've done it many times before.

It's been a fun process researching and building the clamps.

Again, thanks for the nice comments.

Lippy