Members tardis86 Posted February 7, 2016 Author Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CBRMRNI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1454885809&sr=8-2&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=leather+chisel Thats what i have... Is that right? Quote
Members Dwight Posted February 7, 2016 Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 Tardis86 wrote: "i feel like im missing something here, i put alot of time in this stuff and it looks like crap. any helpful ideas are appreciated." And: "i REALLY don't want to use an awl for poking holes. is there another way?" A carpenter could use a rock to drive nails, . . . and a truck delivery driver could use a Mini-Cooper, . . . but neither one was designed for the task at hand. You asked for good suggestions, . . . suggestions that would help you make your work look good, . . . that is exactly what we gave you. If you use a drill or even a drill press, . . . you will NEVER be as accurate making holes as you will be with an awl and a stitch marking tool. Making the hole, . . . determines what the overall stitch looks like, . . . and the example you gave us in post # 1 shows you did not take the time to make the holes so that the stitches would line up correctly. Two needles and an awl are the leatherworker's equivalent to the carpenter's hammer, or the delivery drivers Peterbuilt truck. Beat yourself up if you want to, . . . but until you are willing to follow the suggestions of people who are and have been in the industry, . . . you are just not going to create an esthetically pleasing product. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members thefanninator Posted February 7, 2016 Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 (edited) http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CBRMRNI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1454885809&sr=8-2&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=leather+chisel Thats what i have... Is that right? No, yours is flat. You want a diamond shaped chisel.Looks like you did a nice wet mold... Edited February 7, 2016 by thefanninator Quote http://www.instagram.com/fannintexas/
Members tardis86 Posted February 7, 2016 Author Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 Tardis86 wrote: "i feel like im missing something here, i put alot of time in this stuff and it looks like crap. any helpful ideas are appreciated." And: "i REALLY don't want to use an awl for poking holes. is there another way?" A carpenter could use a rock to drive nails, . . . and a truck delivery driver could use a Mini-Cooper, . . . but neither one was designed for the task at hand. You asked for good suggestions, . . . suggestions that would help you make your work look good, . . . that is exactly what we gave you. If you use a drill or even a drill press, . . . you will NEVER be as accurate making holes as you will be with an awl and a stitch marking tool. Making the hole, . . . determines what the overall stitch looks like, . . . and the example you gave us in post # 1 shows you did not take the time to make the holes so that the stitches would line up correctly. Two needles and an awl are the leatherworker's equivalent to the carpenter's hammer, or the delivery drivers Peterbuilt truck. Beat yourself up if you want to, . . . but until you are willing to follow the suggestions of people who are and have been in the industry, . . . you are just not going to create an esthetically pleasing product. May God bless, Dwight Yea i guess i just have some anxiety about using the awl, especially with thick leather. I have to suck it up and try it. Quote
Members tardis86 Posted February 7, 2016 Author Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 (edited) Double post... Stupid phone Edited February 7, 2016 by tardis86 Quote
Members Halitech Posted February 7, 2016 Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 If you are nervous about using an awl by hand, get an awl blade, put it in your drill press but do not turn it on. Use a stitching wheel to mark your hole locations. Put a piece of cork board on the drill press bed, put your leather down, then use the drill to punch (not drill) your holes. Just make sure you put a slight angle to the holes to make them look right. Also, make sure you use a good quality glue and let it dry first. Is the above proper use? No but at least you end up with the right shape holes and they will go straight through Quote Every day you learn something is a good day. If you don't learn something every day, was it worth waking up for?
Members TinkerTailor Posted February 7, 2016 Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 On my website i have a bunch of photos of a case i did that was very similar to what you are trying to accomplish. No descriptions, but look at the pictures in the slideshow. It is a case for a bicycle lock that laces onto the bike frame. (the photos are actually of 3 cases that are almost identical) I used a stitch marking wheel, and then punched all the holes with an awl first, Then i stitched it. I used heavy duty contact cement. There is a photo there of the stitching in progress, http://tinkeroutfitters.weebly.com/how-we-do-things.html Great job with the forming. getting the hang of the stitching is not that hard, you just have to practice a bit. Btw, some people have used a dinner fork to mark the stitch positions, and then poked the holes with an awl. On thinner leathers i have used an old treadle sewing machine to punch my holes for me. I have one at home that will just do 7spi. The machine does not even need to be able to make a stitch, you are going to run it without thread as an automatic hole punch. Quote "If nobody shares what they know, we will eventually all know nothing." "There is no adventure in letting fear and common sense be your guide"
Members thunter9 Posted February 7, 2016 Members Report Posted February 7, 2016 They use to sell what was known as a pegging awl. Don't sell them anymore. I used to do a lot of baseball stitching on round things . The awl I use now is needle in a sewing handle.long tapered and very sharp. Little bees wax on the tip ,less chance of sticking.to the leather. Quote
Members tardis86 Posted February 8, 2016 Author Members Report Posted February 8, 2016 maybe i will try a few of these http://springfieldleather.com/42608/Chisel%2CDiamond%2C2prong/#review seem ok? i also have an awl in my basket as well. Im thinking its ok to own and use both at different times? Quote
Members Tugadude Posted February 8, 2016 Members Report Posted February 8, 2016 Yes, the Finesse tools from Springfield will do just fine. I would get a 2 prong for curves and a 4 or 6 for straight runs. The pegging awl mentioned above is still available from C.S. Osborne if you choose to go that route. Good luck, keep at it as that is the way to improve. Quote
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