Stitch Groove

[rickeyfro]

Just curious as to what stitch groover you guys have found to work best

[Rawhide]

Just curious as to what stitch groover you guys have found to work best

Hands down, Versa Groove by Bob Douglas.

[rickeyfro]

Rawhide, is there somplace on line that i can check those out?

[sodapop]

heres the only pic i have of mine...its sweet man...money well spent for a core tool like this...you'll be glad ya did ;0)

bob douglas 307-737-2222...$80.00 for the groover and each tip is $15.00...three different sized tips...

darryl

[hidepounder]

I also use the Versa Groover. In addition I use Bob Douglas' free hand groovers, sizes #1 & #2. I also have a J. Watt groover that I have installed a Douglas blade in. I never sew anymore without grooving first.

[rickeyfro]

Is the only place these are available direct from mr douglas? I see hidecrafter has discontinued them.

[hidepounder]

Is the only place these are available direct from mr douglas? I see hidecrafter has discontinued them.

As far as I know, that is correct.

[savage_here]

I don't want to hijack the thread, so if this is deemed a totally separate question I'll start a new topic.

Has anyone ever offered a stitch groover that has some sort of plate attached to the tip that would make the groove a fixed depth? It seems that all I've seen and tried rely on a constant pressure and deft touch to make sure the groove is the same depth around the piece being worked on. Seems to me that some sort of plate integrated into the cutting tip would be perfect to make this a non-issue.

Thoughts?

[Lippy]

You can also find the Versa Groover at Sheridan Leather Outfitters (307-647-6679). They sell the whole line of Douglas tools.

Cheers.

[greg gomersall]

The angle you hold the tool at is what determines the depth of the cut not the amount of downward pressure applied. Greg

[savage_here]

The angle you hold the tool at is what determines the depth of the cut not the amount of downward pressure applied. Greg

This is obviously true as well. But, I work on a lot of chrome tan and softer leathers, some with texture. I can tell you that on softer stuff, downward pressure does indeed play a role, especially when dealing with a tumbled texture or the like.

[badger]

I just bought one, arrived today......

Anybody want my old ones?

Seriously, this is THE best grooving tool I've ever used.

I order all three size blades with it and you can colour me impressed.

This tool is going to make me look great!

I found you can set the depth of the groove by varying the amount of the blade stem you insert into the tool body. If the guide rod is running on your stone slab, it can only cut to a given depth.

The tooled groove is laser sharp and clean. Wow!

Cheers,

Karl

[Geoff]

Is it possible to sharpen these groovers if they become dull? If so, how is it done?

Thanks

[badger]

I plan to strop and polish the rounded outside part and run a rouged thread through the hole. They come pretty sharp and well polished.

Karl

[steveh]

It helps if you moisten the leather you intend to groove, it is much easier to do and extends the sharpness of the cutting tip.

[Rawhide]

Is it possible to sharpen these groovers if they become dull? If so, how is it done?

Thanks

Yes It is possible.

Assuming you let it get fairly dull with no nicks in the cutter, you can use progressions of wet-dry sandpaper to bring it back, followed by stropping it. What you do is find the bevel of the cutting edge and lie it flat on a piece of 800 grit paper glued to a hard flat board. Pull the bevel along the sandpaper, away from the cutting edge and at the same time rolling the tool to cover the entire cutting edge in one stroke. do this several times on 800, then 1200, then 2000 grit. Then strop it on a rouge board with the same motions.

If you keep it fairly sharp and just need to touch it up, you can get away with just stropping it, or using the 2000 grit, then strop.

Good luck.

[Geoff]

I am about to order a "Versa" from Sheridan. Do I need all 3 groover blades?

What is the approximate cut for each.

By the way, my main leather work is knife pouches & sheaths as well as belts.

Thanks for your help.

Geoff

[Art]

Hi Geoff,

If you only do one size thread, probably not. If you do drastically different sizes like 346 and 138 then probably yes. Ask Vandy what size fits what thread and get what you need.

Art

I am about to order a "Versa" from Sheridan. Do I need all 3 groover blades?

What is the approximate cut for each.

By the way, my main leather work is knife pouches & sheaths as well as belts.

Thanks for your help.

Geoff

[hidepounder]

If memory serves me (and I can't count on it anymore), Bob makes three sizes. I use a #1 and a #2. I use a #1 for 69-138 thread. The #2 is good for up to around 277 thread. I have used it with 346 as well...but that was probably pushing it....

Bob

[Geoff]

If memory serves me (and I can't count on it anymore), Bob makes three sizes. I use a #1 and a #2. I use a #1 for 69-138 thread. The #2 is good for up to around 277 thread. I have used it with 346 as well...but that was probably pushing it....

Bob

Thanks for your help. I am mainly working with linen thread, with their strange count descriptions (18/3 & 25/6etc.) I am not familiar with the thread descriptions that you mention.

However, I reckon that the minimum diameter is 0.5mm and the maximum diameter is 1.0mm.

Regards,

Geoff