Members sdkid Posted December 14, 2010 Members Report Posted December 14, 2010 Great tips, thanks guys. Quote
Members EJB Posted December 15, 2010 Members Report Posted December 15, 2010 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. Quote
Members JWGlover Posted December 15, 2010 Members Report Posted December 15, 2010 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. Quote
Members Ootpac Posted December 15, 2010 Members Report Posted December 15, 2010 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. Quote
Members ramrod Posted February 8, 2011 Members Report Posted February 8, 2011 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. Quote
Tree Reaper Posted February 8, 2011 Report Posted February 8, 2011 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. Quote
Members rodeomic Posted February 9, 2011 Members Report Posted February 9, 2011 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 Quote Happy Trails!
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