Members Sheilajeanne Posted October 8, 2021 Members Report Posted October 8, 2021 (edited) I just found my cheapo Tandy stitching chisels, the black ones, are pretty much beyond the point of saving, even though I've always used a poundo board underneath them. The Tandy pro chisels are on sale for 20% off right now. I'm in Canada, so importing stuff from the States (or elsewhere) is pricey and slow. Would the Pro tools be worth the money? Edited October 8, 2021 by Sheilajeanne Quote
Members DustinSmith Posted October 8, 2021 Members Report Posted October 8, 2021 I have a set of the Japanese style and I love them, they were sharp right out of the box and they make your stitches look great! One note I would offer is definitely use the smallest needle you can with the thread you're using as the holes will be much smaller than tandys other chisels Quote
Members Tugadude Posted October 13, 2021 Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 I've posted a few times about Tandy's Pro chisels. I like them. The ones I have are the stainless steel ones. The teeth are long and narrow and have a flatter angle than some. I with they were a tad narrower and angled a bit more sharply, but they work well as-is. They call them "Fine Diamond Chisels" now. But my recommendation is if you got decent results from the black irons from Tandy, then give Springfield's diamond chisels a try. They sell them as a set, quite cheaply and I've been extremely happy with them. They are more of the "chunky" diamond shape, but smaller than the black Tandy irons. I think they are a great all-around stitching chisel. I bought the smallest size and have been having good luck with them on wallets, etc. They come out of the leather much easier than the black Tandy irons. These are the ones I mean below: Retail is $34.99 but if you have a wholesale account it drops to $29.99. Quote
Members Sheilajeanne Posted October 13, 2021 Author Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 Tugadude, thanks. I have two of the above Tandy chisels, but need one with the teeth slightly farther apart for the current project - 8 stitches per inch, while the diamond chisel I have is 9. And I am NOT satisfied with the black ones! They are supposed to be the higher quality 'pro' chisels, but in spite of me never having used them without a poundo board beneath them, they are pretty much ruined. And, of course, this happened in the middle of a project, so I want to get something quickly so I can finish it. Are the poly boards easier on punches and chisels than the poundo boards? Just wondering what I could have done to have gotten a longer life from these chisels. Quote
Members chrisash Posted October 13, 2021 Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) I use poly cutting board with a spare piece of old leather between the chisel and the board. most times the chisel never touches the board. I use the french style (slits instead of diamonds) Edited October 13, 2021 by chrisash Quote Mi omputer is ot ood at speeling , it's not me
Members Sheilajeanne Posted October 13, 2021 Author Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 Good idea, Crisash! Quote
Members Tugadude Posted October 13, 2021 Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 58 minutes ago, Sheilajeanne said: Tugadude, thanks. I have two of the above Tandy chisels, but need one with the teeth slightly farther apart for the current project - 8 stitches per inch, while the diamond chisel I have is 9. And I am NOT satisfied with the black ones! They are supposed to be the higher quality 'pro' chisels, but in spite of me never having used them without a poundo board beneath them, they are pretty much ruined. And, of course, this happened in the middle of a project, so I want to get something quickly so I can finish it. Are the poly boards easier on punches and chisels than the poundo boards? Just wondering what I could have done to have gotten a longer life from these chisels. The black ones suffer from bending of the tines. I don't think that will be nearly as easy on the ones I have. I have bought two sets of what Tandy calls the 2mm Pro irons (the black ones) and they work fine right up until they don't. And they seem to work best with larger thread due to the size of the teeth. The teeth on the ends of the irons bend over time I think because it is nearly impossible to consistently pound squarely down. There will be times when you hammer a bit off-kilter and that shouldn't necessarily result in bending the tines or teeth. The Springfield irons are holding up just fine so far. Quote
Members Sheilajeanne Posted October 13, 2021 Author Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) When I look at the tines under high magnification, it's not so much bending as it is they've become blunt. VERY blunt - to the point the metal has spread out sideways from the points. You'd think I'd been pounding it on a rock... Yeah...Springfield. Unfortunately I'm in Canada. Shipping and duty costs, plus really slow shipping is why I prefer to deal with a Canadian seller, if possible. The Canadian postal service is MUCH better than the USPS. Last time I ordered something to be shipped from Tandy's, it arrived within 3 days! Edited October 13, 2021 by Sheilajeanne Quote
Members LeatherLegion Posted October 13, 2021 Members Report Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said: Yeah...Springfield. Unfortunately I'm in Canada. Shipping and duty costs, plus really slow shipping is why I prefer to deal with a Canadian seller, if possible. These are the same chisels as Springfield's ... without the brand but the same "great" quality ...next day delivery too. Or just $10 here if you are willing to wait more that 6 weeks Edited October 13, 2021 by LeatherLegion Quote
Members Sheilajeanne Posted October 14, 2021 Author Members Report Posted October 14, 2021 Wow, with the price being that cheap, I'm willing to give this a try! I really need something so I can finish my project, and if I use Chrisash's tip, hopefully they will last a long time. I would pay much more than that for a single one of Tandy's Pro Diamond Chisels! Quote
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