Gouging Evenly On Two Sides

[brettra]

Hello all,

I'm looking for help on gouging a sewing channel on two sides of leather. I recently worked on a guitar strap that had two pieces of veg tan that were to be glued and sewed together. I carefully cut a gouged then used the thong chisel but when put together, ended up with an extra hole that of course threw the project off.

How do I ensure that I get lined up holes? I figured that If I glued the pieces together first and then tried using the thonging chisel, I ran the risk of punching on the backside outside of the channel.

Any practices that make this easier to manage?

Thanks,

Scott

[Dwight]

Scott, . . . I use my sewing machine for these projects, . . . but when I do have to sew by hand, . . . I either stand up over my work, . . . or I place it in the front of my work bench where I have a place where I can punch my awl through the leather into a hole especially placed in the edge of the desk for that purpose.

Using either method, . . . my holes are 90 degree perpendicular to the leather, . . . making it all work out right.

If you have a small drill press, . . . putting the chisel in it, . . . DO NOT TURN IT ON OF COURSE, . . . and use the leverage of the arbor to punch down through, . . . straight.

In any of the above ways, . . . you first glue the pieces together, . . . then work on it as though it was one piece from the beginning.

Hope this helps.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited July 16, 2011 by Dwight

[Tree Reaper]

I don't usually gouge the back side for that reason.

[brettra]

Hello Dwight,

Thank you for the information. I find it amazing how something seemingly so simple can cause me so much confusion

I do not have a drill press so I will work with the manual process and work from straight above. I've been working from sitting so this is most likely a contributing factor.

I've worked a lot slower on this project as I was making numerous mistakes by simply rushing through projects. I've not had a lot of input on the forum but the people in this community have been great

Anyway, I will work on cementing my two pieces together and take the time to punch from straight above. I'm thinking I'll need to post some of my projects soon for some c & c to see where I need to take my projects next.

Again, thank you for taking the time.

Scott

[brettra]

Tree Reaper,

I try not to also but have a few recent projects that I would like to be reversible.

[Ferg]

Wanting reversible doesn't matter. Do not gouge the back side, just learn to hold the punch in a perfectly vertical manner. If you are hand sewing learn to hold the awl perfectly vertical.

Concentrate on doing this and before you know it the process becomes automatic. Take it slow and check the tool before each punch/awl hole.

ferg

Tree Reaper,

I try not to also but have a few recent projects that I would like to be reversible.

[brettra]

Ferg,

Does this impact the strength of the thread? My understanding that gouging is to protect the thread from damage.

Rushing seems to be the constant theme of most of my errors. Taking a break from stamping right now because the wrist is sore and eyes are crossed

Thanks also for taking the time to respond!

Scott

[Tree Reaper]

I have also punched from both sides but don't go all the way through, eyeball the top hole and mark then punch the bottom hole directly below it then you can wiggle the needle or awl around to find the other side if they don't line up perfectly.

Takes a little longer but it works.

Kevin

[brettra]

Thanks Kevin,

Didn't think of that.... I've watched the leather stress a bit sometimes when trying to get the needles through and missed the hole on the other side. Actually didn't think of using it to my advantage!

Some great ideas to get me going. Appreciate all the input!