Heavy Saddle Skirting

[Tiffany]

I'm trying to practice my handstitching on some 14oz saddle skirting and having a devil of a time punching the holes. I wet the leather beforehand and it cut relatively easily but trying to use the Tandy 4 tong punch is just impossible! I got the idea to use a thin drill bit in my dremel and "pre-cut" the holes before using the diamond shaped awl..seemed to work pretty well. Is this a correct method or is there an easier way?

Thanks!

[Beaverslayer]

Trying to put holes into 14oz leather is going to be very hard with the 4 prong punch. I'd stick with the dremel and drill bit method, it will most likely take the same amount of time as trying to pull that punch out of such thick leather.

Ken

[Randy Cornelius]

Your awl must be super sharp to go through shirting. If you try to use a Tandy or Osborne awl straight out of the box it will not work good for you. They must be sharpened and polished to work good. I use awls from Bob Douglas which are much better but cost a lot more. You can make a Tandy work but you must be good at sharpening. Use a wet stone and sparpen to a needle sharp point, keeping the diamond shape as you go. Then polish with rouge. You might want to get the Stolhman book on hand sewing lots of helpful tips.

Good luck

Randy

[Tiffany]

Thank you both for the wonderful responses.

[superchute]

I drill and then use two needles to sew it works great if to tight us a bigger drill bit works great

russ

[YRsaddles]

the dremel tool works great and use it from time to time...but mainly when I'm hand stitching I use an awl and it has to be VERY sharp..most of the tools you by will have to be sharpened before use...all I use is saddle skirting...and if you can't go through several layers of skirting easily then the tool isn't sharp enough..remember this...a tool that isn't sharp enough will hurt you A LOT easier that one that is

Dave

[Timbo]

The 4 prong punch you are trying to use was not meant for such heavy leather. Getting the leather wet helps punch the holes but distorts the edge. If you have the single diamond punch it will work better but be very tedious. As others have said the norm for stitch holes in skirting is a very sharp diamond blade sewing awl. I've punched thousands of holes with the 4 prong punch but it has limitations, mostly getting it out of the leather after it is all the way through.

Tim

[Don101]

Hi Tiffany here is a tip for you just get your diamond awl and some wax (any wax will do a candle ) and push tha awl into the wax then pierce the hole in the leather becarefull you will be surprised how it goes through like butter try it on a piece of scrap first, Don