Joseph Dixon Saddlers Clamp

[Jax]

I found these on ebay, hope it is of some use to you

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leathercraft-Lacing-Sewing-Clamp-for-Stitching-Leather-/261208429471?pt=UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&hash=item3cd13c539f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/leather-working-stitching-clamp-saddlers-clamp-/230972103530?pt=UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&hash=item35c7029b6a

I hold mine between my knees, some have them attached to the work bench.

[Basically Bob]

I recently purchased one of Abbey's and am very happy with it. Covered the jaws and base with leather and cut it to bring it to a comfortable level while using it in a straight up and down position. I also sewed-up a leather loop to loosen and tighten the jaws. I really do like working with this much better than the stitching pony I was using.

[celticleather]

How do you hold these things while working ? I take it this is like a long stick with curved clam shape jaws ?

Traditionally, saddler's clams are used in a sitting position. For a right-handed person, the clam would be rested on the left thigh, with the right leg over the lower end of the clam (see picture 1). Some folk like to add the strap and stirrup (see picture 2), which allows a greater pressure to be applied to the jaws of the clam by pressing down with the left foot.

I prefer to work standing up, so I fasten the clam to my bench with a quick-release strap. As mentioned above, it is important to line the jaws of the clamp with soft leather, to avoid marking the piece that is being sewn.

[Fowlingpiece]

The above is one manner of holding that I think is more continental in origin. (See Diderot's Encyclopedia)

Traditionally it depended on from which shop you learned from and from whom they learned technique from. I was taught to use the clams held vertically. I make my own clams to be self sprung. Most of the time, their own pressure and a slight bit from my legs is all that is needed to secure the job.

[Invasion]

I found these on ebay, hope it is of some use to you

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leathercraft-Lacing-Sewing-Clamp-for-Stitching-Leather-/261208429471?pt=UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&hash=item3cd13c539f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/leather-working-stitching-clamp-saddlers-clamp-/230972103530?pt=UK_Crafts_Leathercraft_LE&hash=item35c7029b6a

I hold mine between my knees, some have them attached to the work bench.

Ahh thanks for those really nice of you to find them for me...sorry for that late reply I missed your post!

I recently purchased one of Abbey's and am very happy with it. Covered the jaws and base with leather and cut it to bring it to a comfortable level while using it in a straight up and down position. I also sewed-up a leather loop to loosen and tighten the jaws. I really do like working with this much better than the stitching pony I was using.

That's interesting that you like it much better than the stiching pony; any particular reason? I like the idea of the leather strap mod you did

Traditionally, saddler's clams are used in a sitting position. For a right-handed person, the clam would be rested on the left thigh, with the right leg over the lower end of the clam (see picture 1). Some folk like to add the strap and stirrup (see picture 2), which allows a greater pressure to be applied to the jaws of the clam by pressing down with the left foot.

I prefer to work standing up, so I fasten the clam to my bench with a quick-release strap. As mentioned above, it is important to line the jaws of the clamp with soft leather, to avoid marking the piece that is being sewn.

Thanks for the info really appreciated. What is a quick-release strap ? ( I think that is going to be a silly question)

The above is one manner of holding that I think is more continental in origin. (See Diderot's Encyclopedia)

Traditionally it depended on from which shop you learned from and from whom they learned technique from. I was taught to use the clams held vertically. I make my own clams to be self sprung. Most of the time, their own pressure and a slight bit from my legs is all that is needed to secure the job.

I guess it is a matter of trying and seeing what suits best. Thanks for the info

[Basically Bob]

That's interesting that you like it much better than the stiching pony; any particular reason? I like the idea of the leather strap mod you did

Invasion, There are a few reasons: the curved jaws and sides allow for a larger object to be held easier without bending it as severely, the angle of the clam can be varied while you are working because you are not sitting on it and I really like the leather loop that I made for tightening the jaws instead of a bolt/wing nut (thread will not get hung up on it). Bear in mind that this is my personal preference only. Edited May 3, 2013 by Basically Bob

[Invasion]

Invasion, There are a few reasons: the curved jaws and sides allow for a larger object to be held easier without bending it as severely, the angle of the clam can be varied while you are working because you are not sitting on it and I really like the leather loop that I made for tightening the jaws instead of a bolt/wing nut (thread will not get hung up on it). Bear in mind that this is my personal preference only.

The wing nut on my tandy one drives me spare as you say thread gets caught up all the time.

I do like the fact that you sit on it to hold it in place; but then I may find like you I prefer the clam!

Have you got a picture of how you attached loop that you made ?

Edited May 3, 2013 by Invasion

[Basically Bob]

Sure, I can do that. Will be in a couple of days, however.

[Basically Bob]

This photo shows the stitching pony I was using and my recently purchased stitching clam with the leather and loop that I added on my own. This photo is a close up shot of the leather loop that I made. It simply slides up and down on the clam to tighten or loosen the jaws. I really like this method and take no credit for it whatsoever. . To make the loop, I just cut a strap off of a piece of scrap bridle leather I had, cut it to what I thought would be a good length, glued and stitched it together. Nothing fancy, for sure but it sure does work for me. Hope this helps.Bob (sorry for the "screwy" positioning of the photos - haven't quite got all this tech stuff down yet)

Edited May 4, 2013 by Basically Bob

[Invasion]

This photo shows the stitching pony I was using and my recently purchased stitching clam with the leather and loop that I added on my own. This photo is a close up shot of the leather loop that I made. It simply slides up and down on the clam to tighten or loosen the jaws. I really like this method and take no credit for it whatsoever. . To make the loop, I just cut a strap off of a piece of scrap bridle leather I had, cut it to what I thought would be a good length, glued and stitched it together. Nothing fancy, for sure but it sure does work for me. Hope this helps.Bob (sorry for the "screwy" positioning of the photos - haven't quite got all this tech stuff down yet)

Thanks for those pics really appreciated. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words

That's the stiching pony I have. I am deffinaltley getting the stiching clam makes the stiching pony look like a toy. The loop idea is brilliant, so simple and does the job!

Thanks again for taking the time to post the pictures really appreciated