How To Make Holes For Hand Sewing

[sdkid]

Great tips, thanks guys.

[EJB]

I use a dremel tool and a tiny drill bit the size of the needle I'm going to stitch with. Also I like to use barges contact cement anytime I'm glueing leather, its the strongest bonding agent I've seen on the market.

[JWGlover]

I used to drill my holes with a bit but in order to keep the holes from coming out too big I would have to use a small bit and would have to pull the needle through with a pair of pliers. I liked the way it looked because it looked like it was done by machine but it got to be a PIA. Now I only use an awl and it is a whole lot faster.

[Ootpac]

I have been using a sharpened drill bit shank to make my holes. Lately I have been experimenting with mounting an awl blade in my modified arbor press. I still sometimes try using the awl by hand, but when I need to go through 4-5 layers of 9oz leather, the arbor press punches the holes nice and straight for me.

[ramrod]

there's some great reading here - and an outstanding video. that worker puts me to shame. i used to strive for that kind of consistency when i started doing this, but i've gotten lazy - prepunching holes, putting down my awl and needle. wow! this guy was amazing.

weldwood here, too. i just bought a can yesterday. 9 bucks and it lasts forever.

[Tree Reaper]

I was once told not to drill leather for sewing as it removes material and makes for a weak stitch, the awl just forces the leather apart and retains the strength of the leather.

Kevin.

[rodeomic]

This question will kinda go along with which thread to use. I am trying to figure out another way to make holes for hand sewing. The method i have been using is a small drill press. I go through and groove where i am going to stitch then use overstitch wheel to see where i need to drill holes. The reason i started using the drill press is that i use 5 min. epoxy to glue leather before dyeing. And drilling is easiest way to get through the epoxy(that i have found).

Also if there is another way to glue leather together with super strong bond like epoxy please let me know.

Thanks

Thomas

Thomas, as advised earlier, I to would steer away from epoxy. It's too stiff, and I would wonder what the lasting affects to leather would be, if any. As far as the stitching holes, you and I aren't far off there. I use a dremel tool, with bits one size smaller than the needle I will be using. I started this method solely due to my hands just not taking the pressure from the awl anymore. Something to do with age and arthiritis? Nah---couldn't be. ;-) Good luck.

Roger