wizard of tragacanth Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Posted September 12, 2011 P.S. A GOOD sharp diamond shaped awl will slip right thru the 4 layers of 5/6 oz. veg tanned like this little guy with very little resistance. Really, that is quite surprising. I may give it a shot but I'm not promising anything. Quote
Members katsass Posted September 12, 2011 Members Report Posted September 12, 2011 Really, that is quite surprising. I may give it a shot but I'm not promising anything. Wizard, use the smaller drill: Sharpen the awl for only about 3/16" from the tip .... sharp enough to cut yourself!! Strop it a little on a strip of leather periodically, and use it to open the holes, keeping the angle correct. Take your time. As you get comfortable, you'll get quicker. As I said, I use a slender awl ... only about 1/8". It'll start to cut but will finally just push the leather out of the way and ultimately close back up over the thread, keeping it tight by friction. The holster shown is made from two layers of 5/6 oz, bonded together and used as a single thickness. I do almost all my holsters that way. Mike Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
wizard of tragacanth Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Posted September 12, 2011 Wizard, use the smaller drill: Sharpen the awl for only about 3/16" from the tip .... sharp enough to cut yourself!! Strop it a little on a strip of leather periodically, and use it to open the holes, keeping the angle correct. Take your time. As you get comfortable, you'll get quicker. As I said, I use a slender awl ... only about 1/8". It'll start to cut but will finally just push the leather out of the way and ultimately close back up over the thread, keeping it tight by friction. The holster shown is made from two layers of 5/6 oz, bonded together and used as a single thickness. I do almost all my holsters that way. Mike I'm feeling sleepy... sleepy... I feel my resistance fading... slipping away... falling... okaaay Mike... whatever you say... I'll do it... Oh, wow, I feel llike I just woke up... where was I, oh yeah, thanks Mike for helping me to achieve the high level of quality and appearnce that your holsters have and not allowing me to wallow in mediocrity. Seriously. Thanks for not giving up on me! Nick Quote
Members Wareagle50 Posted September 22, 2011 Members Report Posted September 22, 2011 Do all yall predrill your stitching holes? Quote
Members katsass Posted September 24, 2011 Members Report Posted September 24, 2011 Do all yall predrill your stitching holes? Wareagle, If you were asking me, no, I don't anymore. I started learning stitching from an old WWI cavalry soldier, back when I was about 17 ..... he made me use an awl (of his) Later I found a Dremel tool and thought that the drill method would be quicker and easier. (At 17 I thought I was inventing something new, and was smarter than that old man) It does produce a decent looking stitch line if one is careful, but in time, I found that gouging, marking my stitches with an overstitch and using just a GOOD, SHARP awl is quicker, and it eliminates an unnecessary step. Of course that old man was right. But now, I guess that I are that old man. Age does change one's outlook. Mike Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
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