Things I've Learned About Leatherworking Last Week

[Hi Im Joe]

The best and most importation thing I have learned is that speed and impatients will do nothing but create anger and a very bad project costing money and time that was wasted. Slowed down and smelling the roses along the way now.

This for me has a been a very hard lesson to learn. I've spent to much time in the "digital...I want it now!...age."

[MonicaJacobson]

Bummer, Chief! I did that a few weeks back (only snicked off the edge of my finger, but it's still jarring), and then made a seriously bad decision on the strength of the first one and gave myself a worse cut than ever on the other hand. It definitely complicated leatherworking for a week or two.

[zuludog]

I read somewhere that a champagne cork (yer actual cork, not plastic) makes a good support when using an awl, though I have yet to try it myself

[Hi Im Joe]

I read somewhere that a champagne cork (yer actual cork, not plastic) makes a good support when using an awl, though I have yet to try it myself

I can confirm this. It works really well. I use it on usually at the corners of items where it is hard to support the item with your fingers.

[Macca]

look at the positives.

If you stab your thumb with your awl & didn't feel it going in you know your awl is sharp/polished enough

[billybopp]

As some have mentioned, a wine bottle cork is a really great backer for leather when using an awl, and especially useful when you can't quite get your fingers placed right to safely use them. An added bonus is that drinking the wine to get the corks is quite enjoyable. A further added benefit is that you usually have a few bottles of wine around so that you can get replacement corks when you need them. A still further added benefit is that you have bottles of wine around to dull the pain when you get forgetful, don't use the cork and pierce a finger anyway. And if you don't have antibiotic cream around? ... Yup. More wine!!

It's a great system, really.

Bill

[MonicaJacobson]

LOL, Bill and Macca

[lightingale]

LOL Bill, I can get behind that!

The husband and I are planning a wine-tasting for two this weekend.. because what's the difference between Chianti, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir and Cabarnet? Hopefully we'll be sober enough to remember the difference the next day...

I'll make sure we get bottles with corks!

Edited December 8, 2014 by lightingale

[DoubleC]

I love the wine solution and I'm trying to work it into machine sewing somehow, LOL. Does it count if your hands just get tired from working? Especially when you leave everything to the last second and overwork your whole body? I can make cork necklaces and drink the wine for all the pain, physical and emotional after I finish a project You guys are a hoot.

[raysouth]

C'mon Guys,

I thought that stabbing yourself, cutting fingers, grinding them on the sander, smacking with hammer, spilling dyes, glue, and other potions, was all normal activity and was to be expected. Now I learn that these are all no-no's. What's a guy to do? lol.

Then add the dropped Chicago screws and learn that they just flew to Asia, smacking a rivet that just will not hold or bends at an angle, clearing tangled thread when you begin to learn the art of hand sewing, and then there is the misplaced tools and hardware that you just know you have, someplace unknown to anyone.

Goes on and on but isn't it fun, in the end, when it all comes together?

Love it.

God Bless.

Ray