Sanch Report post Posted March 9, 2011 Okay so I made a couple of diamond shaped awls and think that they are way to big in relation to the 0 size saddlemakers needles i bought. Soooo here is the million dollar question how large should the awls be in relation to the needles so as not to leave an auger size hole in the leather??? obviously they will be larger but how much larger my had made awls are like 1/8th of an inch long end to long end <> on one of them the other is approx 3/32nds of an inch <> I also know they should only be sharp on the business end and not on the edges but the width eludes me. oh by the way they are stainless steel....Stealf..Thanks in advance.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 10, 2011 wrong area to ask this?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 11, 2011 wrong area to ask this?? HMMMM NO TAKERS?? wow ok thanks then ADMIN PLEASE REMOVE!! stealf... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catskin Report post Posted March 11, 2011 I don't know why nobody answered your question. I don't do much hand sewing but from what I have done I would suggest the awl should be just big enough that you can push the needles through without to much difficulty. So that would mean thicker awl for thicker needles and visa versa. Okay so I made a couple of diamond shaped awls and think that they are way to big in relation to the 0 size saddlemakers needles i bought. Soooo here is the million dollar question how large should the awls be in relation to the needles so as not to leave an auger size hole in the leather??? obviously they will be larger but how much larger my had made awls are like 1/8th of an inch long end to long end <> on one of them the other is approx 3/32nds of an inch <> I also know they should only be sharp on the business end and not on the edges but the width eludes me. oh by the way they are stainless steel....Stealf..Thanks in advance.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted March 14, 2011 I don't know why nobody answered your question. I don't do much hand sewing but from what I have done I would suggest the awl should be just big enough that you can push the needles through without to much difficulty. So that would mean thicker awl for thicker needles and visa versa. Thanks so much catskin its rough to be new LOL! I have been using my hand made awls and to my great pleasure and excitement they are working like a charm! I have only managed to awl my left forefinger once didn't feel it till after it bled a little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catskin Report post Posted March 16, 2011 Your awls must be good! Not long ago one of the guys on here said if an awl doesn't go half way through your finger before you feel it, it is not sharp enough. Thanks so much catskin its rough to be new LOL! I have been using my hand made awls and to my great pleasure and excitement they are working like a charm! I have only managed to awl my left forefinger once didn't feel it till after it bled a little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted March 16, 2011 Pics always draw a better responce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iron Pounder Report post Posted March 18, 2011 On an unrelated note. How's the racing down in Clarksville? I really like that track. raced there a few times years back. Pulled a big channel cat out of the river that runs along downtown but can't think of the name of it. Might retie down that way. Tn folks are real salt of the Earth people. I'm having the same problem. I just need to get with someone that has some experience hand sewing. I bought the book they all talk about but it doesn't go into much detail. Nothing I Google search doesn't turn up,(with much better illustration) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanch Report post Posted October 16, 2011 On an unrelated note. How's the racing down in Clarksville? I really like that track. raced there a few times years back. Pulled a big channel cat out of the river that runs along downtown but can't think of the name of it. Might retie down that way. Tn folks are real salt of the Earth people. I'm having the same problem. I just need to get with someone that has some experience hand sewing. I bought the book they all talk about but it doesn't go into much detail. Nothing I Google search doesn't turn up,(with much better illustration) Ok so seven months later I see this post!! My stitching has improved and the ppl here have gone to shyte. A young man I work with got lifeflighted to Vanderbilt for multiple lacerations to face neck(jugular) and chest over a woman he's in stable condition. I can't say about the track only time I am near it is when I take the old iron for a ride down needmore rd. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katsass Report post Posted October 16, 2011 Ok so seven months later I see this post!! My stitching has improved and the ppl here have gone to shyte. A young man I work with got lifeflighted to Vanderbilt for multiple lacerations to face neck(jugular) and chest over a woman he's in stable condition. I can't say about the track only time I am near it is when I take the old iron for a ride down needmore rd. Sorry that I didn't see this sooner. The awl that I use the most is 1/8" wide, tapering for about 1/2" to a very sharp point. The blade is all of 1 1/2" in length. The blade is sharpened about 1/4" up from the tip. I use #0 and #1 needles. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites