Overstitcher?

[katsass]

Robert, I don't know if this is your problem, but I recently switched to a C.S. Osborne overstitcher because I couldn't get a good imprint with the cheap ones Tandy sells. Here's an idea of what one looks like, and it comes in 5, 6 and 7 marks per inch:

http://www.csosborne.com/no485.htm

I purchased mine from Springfield Leather.

Hope this helps!

Got to agree with ABN......the overstitch in my pics is over 30 years old, and was bought at a Tandy store back then. It appears that somewhere along the line they went to a cheap tool maker, but back then there stuff wasn't too bad.........I know my favorite awl was made by Osborne and was purchased at some other Tandy store many years ago. Mike

Edited September 2, 2010 by katsass

[Deanimator]

I use a 5per Tandy. My objection to it is that it wobbles, causing it to walk out of my stitch groove unless I'm VERY careful, and even then it sometimes happens. I also wet the groove before I use it, which gives me better results.

[katsass]

I use a 5per Tandy. My objection to it is that it wobbles, causing it to walk out of my stitch groove unless I'm VERY careful, and even then it sometimes happens. I also wet the groove before I use it, which gives me better results.

As I said, Tandy stuff wasn't too bad.....30+ years ago. They have definitely changed, both in their store quality and their choice of suppliers. JMHO Mike o

[RWP]

i agree i've had several problems with tandy as far as quallity and service go thats why i just made a BIG A$$ order from springfield lol should be in sometime next thursday im dying for the stohlman holter book i ordered im gonna TRY and work on one i've done just doing from instinct later on during the day today

[mugwump]

abn i think that having the cheap one from tandy IS part of my problem my friend uses the c.s. osbourne one from springfield too and the difference is night and day when put side by side thanks all for the advice

take it with a grain of salt, but i also would suggest getting an osbourne for your oversticher over the tandy's in general if for nothing else the quality check when it was made. the main problem with the tandy's is twofold (again ymmv), one is the hardness/composition of the metal used for the wheel (too soft), and how the tines are shaped (or actually mis-shaped/blunted too much). if you do opt for the tandy, make sure to look at and carefully examine each overstitcher they have in the place, and compare the tines to find the one(s) that came through the mfg process and shipping still useable. also, the multi-wheeled one they sell has the spacing closer toghter than the individual overstitchers, so a '6' in one, might not be a '6' in the other... hope i helped and didnt muddy the water too much...

eric

p.s. i mainly use the '6' for general use, and use either a '5' or a '7' depending on how the actual product will be used, and the stress the stitched area will receive and the material.

[Deanimator]

im dying for the stohlman holter book i ordered

It's a good book.

A lot of the designs are kind of dated, with exposed trigger guards, etc., but in terms of basic technique, it's fantastic.