Boss Awl Needle

[Normow]

I want to use my "Boss" slot machine stitcher for punching holes for hand stitching. I'd like to make a diamond awl needle for it.

Wonder if anyone has tried this or has experience making an awl blade for a stitcher.

[Luke Hatley]

Why make an Awl ? just use the largest needle you have . that is what i do.

if i am punching holes in thick leather, i will dampen it first.

Edited August 29, 2010 by Luke Hatley

[Normow]

Why make an Awl ? just use the largest needle you have . that is what i do.

if i am punching holes in thick leather, i will dampen it first.

Thank you, Luke. I'd rather not leave round holes, but want to make awl slits.

[harnessman]

Thank you, Luke. I'd rather not leave round holes, but want to make awl slits.

Hi

Get a piece of drill rod (good tough high carbon steel) the proper dia. to fit in the needle hole in your machine, cut to length required and sharpen the end to a chisle "V" end. Biggest trick is to keep the wedge shape perfectly centered so it does not drift when punchin the slots. Any decent machine shop can make you a dozen of these pretty inexpensively if you do not have the tooling and/or knowledge to do it yourself.

Hope this helps

Jim

[dirtclod]

If you have a shoe repair shop close. Go by ask about buying a awl from them. Most shoe shops use a needle and awl machine. Or they do around here anyway. Or you could ask supply house like Campbell Randall about getting some.

[harnessman]

If you have a shoe repair shop close. Go by ask about buying a awl from them. Most shoe shops use a needle and awl machine. Or they do around here anyway. Or you could ask supply house like Campbell Randall about getting some.

Hi

Most needle and awl shoe machines that I have run into use a square awl for shoe work, not a round awl with chisle point. Campbell, Randle, etc machines made for the saddle or harness trade use round awls sharpened on two sides to make a traditional slit shape. Also the shank of the awl for a old american or landis shoe machine may or may not fit thehole in the needle bar on your machine.

Jim

Edited September 4, 2010 by harnessman

[Dwight]

Sometimes I am at a loss for the correct "terminology", . . . so I cannot tell you off hand what the difference is between the two types of needles I have for my Tippmann Boss stitcher.

One is round, . . . as in circular, . . . the other type is more of a flat knife blade type. I am on my last one right now, . . . and I don't use anything but that type. It makes a slot type hole, . . . and is perfect for punching holes now, . . . and hand sewing later.

Give the folks at Tippmann a holler, . . . they'll walk you right through it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Denster]

Sometimes I am at a loss for the correct "terminology", . . . so I cannot tell you off hand what the difference is between the two types of needles I have for my Tippmann Boss stitcher.

One is round, . . . as in circular, . . . the other type is more of a flat knife blade type. I am on my last one right now, . . . and I don't use anything but that type. It makes a slot type hole, . . . and is perfect for punching holes now, . . . and hand sewing later.

Give the folks at Tippmann a holler, . . . they'll walk you right through it.

May God bless,

Dwight

Dwight. The terminology you are looking for is the S type chisel point needle. It's really the only good one for sewing heavy leather anyway.