Stitching

[fredk]

Each to their own way

For a lot of my stitching I use these pliers for making the holes. They are really fast in use. I can go around the perimeter of a book cover for an A6 book in just about 2 minutes [I've timed it]. A few minutes longer for a cover for an A5 sized book

Available with 4 teeth/prongs and 2 teeth/prongs

the type of book cover I'm talking about

Also used on the perimeter of this Navigator's Board. It took only a few minutes to punch all the holes

 

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by fredk

[Spyros]

10 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

Punching the front, then the back. Using a block of wood to hold it down. Using an array of tools for tight curves, gentle curves, straight lines. Yeah, seems WAY faster than gluing, stabbing, stitching.

I'm sorry, maybe we're talking about different things here...  Why would anyone punch the front and then the back separately?  Or use a block of wood or other tools? I mean I must have made a hundred bags/belts/wallets using chisels and never done any of the things you describe.  What have I missed here?  I just glue, scribe a line and punch my holes through both layers at once.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Spyros

[tsunkasapa]

Just 85% of everything that has been said. Try using them on a holster for a large pistol that is 1/2"-5/8" in the trigger guard area. I'll  pass on chisels.

[Spyros]

 

Just now, tsunkasapa said:

Just 85% of everything that has been said. Try using them on a holster for a large pistol that is 1/2"-5/8" in the trigger guard area. I'll  pass on chisels.

I still have no idea why anyone would use anything more than a chisel and a mallet to punch it with.  That's all I use anyway, and anyone else I've seen.

I admit I don't know anything about holsters because 99% of the planet does not carry guns, just not a big market in my neck of the woods.  But you're right I guess I should qualify that when I say chisels are faster I mean in common leatherworking projects like bags/belts/wallets.  There will always be specialty stuff where specialised equipment is needed.

[Spyros]

31 minutes ago, fredk said:

Each to their own way

For a lot of my stitching I use these pliers for making the holes. They are really fast in use. I can go around the perimeter of a book cover for an A6 book in just about 2 minutes [I've timed it]. A few minutes longer for a cover for an A5 sized book

I bought a pair of those but they've been relegated to very rare and specific tasks, like trying to punch holes in awkward places where I can't use chisels easily.  With those pliers I found it very hard to keep the bottom holes well aligned on a straight line.  But maybe I was using them wrong.  How are your bottom holes?  Do you have any tips for using them better?

[tsunkasapa]

Almost all of my work is either holsters, sheaths or saddle/tack build or repair. The only belts I've done in 15 years were for me. Wallets? Did one for the grandson.

[tsunkasapa]

1 minute ago, Spyros said:

I bought a pair of those but they've been relegated to very rare and specific tasks, like trying to punch holes in awkward places where I can't use chisels easily.  With those pliers I found it very hard to keep the bottom holes well aligned on a straight line.  But maybe I was using them wrong.  How are your bottom holes?  Do you have any tips for using them better?

There were two pairs of those at the Scout camp I worked at. They had the same issue. I always assumed it was due to the abuse that a couple hundred 11-18 year old gave them.

[Spyros]

17 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

Almost all of my work is either holsters, sheaths or saddle/tack build or repair. The only belts I've done in 15 years were for me. Wallets? Did one for the grandson.

I know, sorry, I get it.  I must remember that not everyone does what I do.

[fredk]

1 hour ago, Spyros said:

I bought a pair of those but they've been relegated to very rare and specific tasks, like trying to punch holes in awkward places where I can't use chisels easily.  With those pliers I found it very hard to keep the bottom holes well aligned on a straight line.  But maybe I was using them wrong.  How are your bottom holes?  Do you have any tips for using them better?

 

1 hour ago, tsunkasapa said:

There were two pairs of those at the Scout camp I worked at. They had the same issue. I always assumed it was due to the abuse that a couple hundred 11-18 year old gave them.

1. I've found that some of these pliers don't have the teeth sufficiently hardened, thus they can be easily bent, to varying degrees, giving a poor straight line. And its not a case of the cheapest being bad. I've found both cheap and expensive ones which had the problem. In fact my ones that I have now were quite cheap - under £10 a pair ($15?)

2. On some items I make a stitching line, top and bottom with a wing divider. Just an impression in the leather, then I put the top teeth into the line and by feel I can make sure the bottom teeth are in the bottom line. Over lap by at least one tooth, preferably two. If I'm in a real hurry I chance it and have no over lap.

3. On the Navigator's board, there was a 3mm MDF panel enclosed by the leather. I just put the plier's teeth up against the board. The board edge kept my line straight. I make other things in which I enclose thick card as a stiffener and use the pliers in the same way.

1 hour ago, tsunkasapa said:

. . . Try using them on a holster for a large pistol that is 1/2"-5/8" in the trigger guard area. I'll  pass on chisels.

yes, horses for courses. I don't make holsters or sheaths, just bags, belts, beanie type hats, light-weight stuff so my pliers work very well for me, but their maximum cut is about 4mm (10oz), they struggle at any thing over 4 mm (10oz). Also they are only good for as far as they can reach from the edge of a piece of work, about 25mm / 1 inch afair. On the Navigator's Board, the pocket, bottom right, the inside stitching line was pre- done with the pliers then an awl through the main piece after the pocket was glued down

[tsunkasapa]

11 minutes ago, fredk said:

1. I've found that some of these pliers don't have the teeth sufficiently hardened, thus they can be easily bent, to varying degrees, giving a poor straight line. And its not a case of the cheapest being bad. I've found both cheap and expensive ones which had the problem. In fact my ones that I have now were quite cheap - under £10 a pair ($15?)

Never underestimate the damage that a crew of teenage boys can do to even the best of tools. I came in the door just as one of them was hammering a scratch awl through his leather on a marble slab. He "Didn't want to scar the table top".