badLoveLeather Report post Posted January 14, 2008 Has anyone seen a 1/4 inch thonging chisel? I do a lot of lacing and wanted to try some 1/4 inch lace in some of my projects. I use thonging chisels to make the holes. I wanted to know if anyone knew where to buy a tool like that Travis Bad Love Leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted January 15, 2008 1/4 inch is a pretty wide hole. You may have to use nippers and punch them one by one or a single chisel and swell the holes. Marlon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted January 15, 2008 B L L I KNOW THE FEELING ABOUT WANTING AND IT IS NOT OUT THERE. I NEED THE SAME TYPE LACING PUNCH FOR THE FLORENTINE LACE TO DO SOME BUCKSTITCHING. I COULD NOT FIND WHAT I WANTED. I MADE MINE.... GOT A PC OF STEEL HAD A GRINDER AND FILES. PROBABLLY TOOK ME ABOUT 1 1/2 HRS.......HEY YOU CAN DO IT. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted January 15, 2008 You may be able to get what you want out of an old screwdriver. the shape is already defined. and all you have to do is grind the blade to the proper angle. Marlon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badLoveLeather Report post Posted January 15, 2008 I have an old machinist friend that may do it for me. I'll have to contact him this week and see if he can do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gremlin Report post Posted January 18, 2008 Marlon, you hit it right on the head. If you take a tape measure and check the width of the blade on some screwdrivers, they *are* 1/4 inch wide. Just sharpen the blade and you are good to go. Works like a charm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freak Report post Posted January 19, 2008 could you not use a 1/4" wood chisel ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gremlin Report post Posted January 19, 2008 Don't see why not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan Report post Posted July 15, 2010 Has anyone seen a 1/4 inch thonging chisel? I do a lot of lacing and wanted to try some 1/4 inch lace in some of my projects. I use thonging chisels to make the holes. I wanted to know if anyone knew where to buy a tool like that Travis Bad Love Leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stan Report post Posted July 15, 2010 I spend lots of hours working in the woods and thus have many chain saw files of various sizes. I use a grinder and a can of water to dip often and keep the temperature down so as to not burn the steel. I make all kinds of leather working tools this way. It the file is too wide, just grind away. There are lots of opinions about the chisels shape. Make one like a wood chisel and another with the taper the same on both sides. Then play with them to get what you want. The worn file holds easily in the hand and the price is right. Remember to sharpen and then polish on a strop for best results. Also, pawn shops are a good place to get screw drivers for 50 cents plus or minus. I make lifters, edgers, groovers, awls of several types, etc. out of the darn things. Spikes are softer steel and are easier to grind. Remember, you are punching or stamping leather. Its not that hard. Make some of your own simpler tools (bevelers and spoons are a good place to start). That way you will have $$ to buy leather or to buy good King or Beard tools that are often just what you need to get that special effect.. Just be careful and wear eye, hand , and ear protection. Luck, Stan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
