How Do I Make A Perfect Line Of Holes With My Awl?

[Rockworthy]

Hello again, I have another total noob question: I want to hand stitch a steering wheel cover onto my car. I have been researching how to do this for quite some time, but there is so many little details it's hard to get all the information in one place. So: Once I have my pattern for the leather I'm using and I cut out my piece of leather, I want to make holes with my awl along the seams before stitching. However, how do I make perfect holes the perfect distance apart, in a perfectly straight line? Is there some kind of tool that can mark the spots for the awl, so that I don't have to just "eyeball it"? This is all by hand, mind you, I don't have a machine.

[Tree Reaper]

If you don't have the tools you can mark the line by running a compass or divider along the edge putting a light scratch in the damp leather then use a ruler to mark the spacing along that edge for the stitching.

If you want to invest in the tools I can tell you what to buy.

Kevin.

[bex DK]

What you want is a wheel that looks like a rowel from a spur. It makes little marks at an even distance. You just roll it along where you want it.

But if your project is a one-off, it is probably cheapest to use a ruler and make marks along it with the same distance between.

[Dwight]

Another simple little trick for perfectly spaced anything: take a small, narrow piece of wood, . . . maybe 1/2 in by 1/2 in, . . . maybe 3 inches long.

Use a rule to mark your spacing, . . . cut the head off a #3 finish nail, . . . put it in your drill press, . . . drill straight through the piece of wood, . . . making a perfect line of holes.

Gently drive new #3 finish nails into the holes, . . . you then use the whole thing as a marking tool, . . .

Takes 15 minutes to make, . . . will save you hours in marking and poking.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Rockworthy]

What you want is a wheel that looks like a rowel from a spur. It makes little marks at an even distance. You just roll it along where you want it.

But if your project is a one-off, it is probably cheapest to use a ruler and make marks along it with the same distance between.

Do you know exactly what this crazy little spur thing is called? If I know what it's called I can go and search for it

[Rockworthy]

Another simple little trick for perfectly spaced anything: take a small, narrow piece of wood, . . . maybe 1/2 in by 1/2 in, . . . maybe 3 inches long.

Use a rule to mark your spacing, . . . cut the head off a #3 finish nail, . . . put it in your drill press, . . . drill straight through the piece of wood, . . . making a perfect line of holes.

Gently drive new #3 finish nails into the holes, . . . you then use the whole thing as a marking tool, . . .

Takes 15 minutes to make, . . . will save you hours in marking and poking.

May God bless,

Dwight

That's very interesting and I never thought of that. I don't have a drill press though, but I know someone who does... this technique brings a bunch of similar ideas to mind. Thanks man.

[Louro]

The tool is called a overstich wheel Like this one.

http://springfieldleather.com/store/product/3425/Overstitcher%2CSet%2CSz-5%2C6%2C7/

I hope this help

[Gawdzilla]

Another simple little trick for perfectly spaced anything: take a small, narrow piece of wood, . . . maybe 1/2 in by 1/2 in, . . . maybe 3 inches long.

Use a rule to mark your spacing, . . . cut the head off a #3 finish nail, . . . put it in your drill press, . . . drill straight through the piece of wood, . . . making a perfect line of holes.

Gently drive new #3 finish nails into the holes, . . . you then use the whole thing as a marking tool, . . .

Takes 15 minutes to make, . . . will save you hours in marking and poking.

May God bless,

Dwight

If you put two pieces of wood together and drive the nails into both, then separate them, you wouldn't have to drill the holes, correct?

[Tomcat1066]

If you put two pieces of wood together and drive the nails into both, then separate them, you wouldn't have to drill the holes, correct?

I'd think that by driving the nails, you could deform them in the process. The result would be a row of nails that aren't exactly straight.

With a drill press, you have a guide that maintains distance from certain points and makes it easy to put all the holes in a straight line, something that's not exactly easy doing by eye (which is something else that could throw off nails if you drive them in).

At least, that's what I would see as potential problems anyways.

[Gawdzilla]

I'd think that by driving the nails, you could deform them in the process. The result would be a row of nails that aren't exactly straight.

With a drill press, you have a guide that maintains distance from certain points and makes it easy to put all the holes in a straight line, something that's not exactly easy doing by eye (which is something else that could throw off nails if you drive them in).

At least, that's what I would see as potential problems anyways.

Drilling pilot holes in the wood would stop the formation I think, but that puts us back to the drill press, doesn't it? I need to talk to the local machine shop about grinding a wheel pizza cutter.