Newbie with questions

[chiefjason]

18 hours ago, Dwight said:

Now this is going to rankle some feathers , . . . and it is just too bad.  I'm just plain lazy, . . . do not like to do any extra work that I can figure a way around or to get out of.

That is why I have a Tippmann Boss sewing machine, . . . "Hands are for hamburgers, . . . sewing machines are for stitching".

But if you don't have the machine yet, . . . this is a down and dirty way to save yourself some grief.

If you have a small drill press, . . . or one of those $20 things that hold a hand drill and work like a drill press, . . . drill a 3/8 inch hole in a piece of plywood about a foot square, . . . tape it down so the hole is where the drill would be, . . . chuck up your awl blade in the press, . . . run your stitch wheel so you know where they need to be punched, . . . use the drill press to punch the holes.  Take a piece of duct tape and tape your chuck so it does not turn on you, . . . or just eyeball it every time you get ready to drop it through.

# 1:  it is a super whole bunch easier

# 2:  it is easier to see where you are punching because your hand is not in the way

# 3:  the holes are absolutely 100% straight up and down (otherwise the back looks somewhere between "not perfect" and "downright shabby")

# 4:  you can punch all the holes for a project, . . . take your awl, your needle and thread and go over to the couch, . . . turn on your favorite TV show, . . . sew and watch the boob tube at the same time.

AND, . . . it is so much easier on the hands.

Also, . . . if you want a bit of a fancy stitch, . . . turn the awl blade about 30 degrees, . . . and it gives a bit of a rope looking effect to your stitching.

May God bless,

Dwight

I only hand stitch.  This is exactly what I do for my stitch holes.  And I don't use a stitching pony.  I just hold the holster and stitch it.  Usually while in bed with a drink watching a movie.  lol

My only recommendation would be to lay a thin piece of cardboard under the leather.  Sometimes the hole for the awl will imprint on the leather.  

I use 346 thread and 00 needles.  Fingerless gloves for pulling tension so you don't get cut, I use original Mecanix gloves with the thumb and pointer cut out and the rest intact for pulling.  Small pliers for back stitching and tight spots.  A home made stitching palm for pushing the needle.  

[Josh Ashman]

When I hand stitched my process was somewhat similar. Instead of a drill press (don't have one) I used a regular awl blade and haft handle but I did "pre-stab" all my holes. I'd place one of those rubber "poundo" boards from Tandy over a cutting board and stab the holes straight down. the poundo board is basically just rubber and is roughly 1/4" thick. It kept my awl blade from going too deep and the cutting board kept it from getting dull too quick. Once the holes were stabbed I'd stitch it up using a saddle stitch (2 needles). I did make a home made stitching horse that I used all the time, but before I built it I got by with holding whatever I was sewing. To me, using the horse was faster because I could use both hands to stitch. Light leather gloves with a doubled up palm to keep fingers from getting sliced by the thread when pulling tight and for pushing the needle through. Finger tips and thumb tips cut off on both gloves for increased dexterity. 

Hand stitching holsters isn't bad at all. Hand stitching saddle skirts is not that fun!

Good luck with your project! 

Josh

[Tigdim]

Dwight, 

I have no issues with your method, it is a great idea! I would be able to set it up so there is a stop, pressing the awl to the same depth every time, can easily follow your stitching groove and keep everything straight! You also get the mechanical advantage of the press, it so should be less physically demanding. Only problem I have, is that I do not have a drill press.  

Only thing I need for the stitching horse is a little bit of hardware... a hinge really. I think, I have everything else. So a few hour of work on my part and I will have something that will work for stitching... for now.

A drill press is on the list of wants, but its behind putting a sub-panel the our detached garage. Currently, the entire garage; lights and outlets are on one 10 amp circuit, run to the garage on 14 gauge wire. This is so I can run power tools in the garage without the lights going out! I currently have to run an extension cord from in the house out to the garage. 

 

Aaron

[Dwight]

Actually, Aaron, . . . a full fledged drill press would not be needed if you have a good 1/4 inch drill (or a busted one for that matter).

Every spring when my buddy and I start out on our yard sale escapades, . . . invariably we will see one or two of these (or very similar) units out there for $5, . . . $2, . . . or something similar.  They cinch down on the neck of the of the hand drill and make it a kinda sorta drill press, . . . but would be perfect for your use.

Too bad you  can't tie a rope to your garage and drag it down here, . . . we could wire that puppy up in a Saturday morning, . . . and you would be "on your way" so to speak.

I've got to do the same to mine, . . . but it ain't happening until the outside temperature is equal to or above my age, . . . and I was born in 1944.

Take a look at this:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bench-Drill-Press-Stand-Single-Clamp-Base-Frame-Electric-Hand-Drill-Holder/382301724943?hash=item5902f5610f:g:8AoAAOSwb9BaohvL

May God bless,

Dwight

[JLSleather]

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-5-speed-bench-drill-press-60238.html

Watch their ads, you may find a coupon to save even more on this.  At this price, if it fell apart in a year who would care?!@!

[dikman]

I use one of my sewing machines for pre-punching the holes in my holsters. No thread, a 140 needle and I handwheel it, makes it easy to keep the holes straight!

[JLSleather]

That would work also.  I was suggesting the table top drill press since that will punch the holes if you want, BUT WILL ALSO allow him to insert a burnisher to do the edges without getting another tool.

 

[Mechanic]

1 hour ago, JLSleather said:

That would work also.  I was suggesting the table top drill press since that will punch the holes if you want, BUT WILL ALSO allow him to insert a burnisher to do the edges without getting another tool.

 

Lowe's has a pack of different sized drum sanders for cheap.

They work well in one of those tabletop drill presses.

After changing tools, another drill press just makes sense.

A belt sander is nice on straight edges.

 

[dikman]

11 hours ago, JLSleather said:

That would work also.  I was suggesting the table top drill press since that will punch the holes if you want, BUT WILL ALSO allow him to insert a burnisher to do the edges without getting another tool.

 

True, my idea only works if you've already got a suitable machine, it would be false economy to buy a sewing machine just for pre-punching holes. If you have to buy something then a drill press makes more sense.

[Tigdim]

Well, I am a little over 3/4 of way through making my stitching horse. I just need assemble the clamp/mount it on the horse. I took some liberties with the Stohlman design, but it should work. 

I have been rolling over in my mind what I can use instead of the drill press for punching holes. I thought of a few different ways that it could be done- building a simple lever arm (similar to a reloading press) would be the easiest. But then I got to thinking about the sewing machine idea... that is when this came to me.

Build a simple U shaped frame (made from scrap steel I already have) laid on its side, a piece of plywood mounted on the bottom of the frame with a hole in the center for the awl blade to extend into,  make a holder for the awl blade on a slide (directly above the hole), mount air cylinder to work the slide and a foot control valve.  Line up the awl blade appropriately in the stitch groove, press foot petal, BAM... awl plunges through the leather- release pedal awl retracts. Re-align move to next stitch mark, press foot pedal -BAM. Sounds easy right?   

Then I can leave the drill press set up with a sanding spindle or the Burnisher (I don't have yet... )

I am going to shut up until I finish my stitching horse, and actually make something with leather. I have too many ideas running around in my head! 

Aaron

Edited March 20, 2018 by Tigdim
Clarification, originally used petal not pedal.