Just because

[ANovinc]

Sharing this one for no particular reason other than I'm happy with how it turned out I really stretched my wings on getting it to come out the way I envisioned. Watcha think about it?

And how do I insert pictures that aren't so dang small?

 

[Hale Storm]

I use Tinypic.com for full screen size pics.

We need more pics of your work. The back, the edges, etc.

 

[ANovinc]

I use Tinypic.com for full screen size pics.

We need more pics of your work. The back, the edges, etc.

Here you go. The back is not quite as pretty as the front (i'm still learning). I didn't get any good shots of the edges, unfortunately.

 

[Kiah]

Sharing this one for no particular reason other than I'm happy with how it turned out I really stretched my wings on getting it to come out the way I envisioned. Watcha think about it?

And how do I insert pictures that aren't so dang small?

I like the two-tone. :thumbup:

The pictures display as small thumbnails in the post, but pop-up full size by hovering over them with a mouse or clicking.

Also, click here to set your membership group correctly.

 

[ANovinc]

Thanks, Kiah!

 

[Hengelo_77]

Nice one.

I pre-mark and pre-cut stitching holes from both sides before I put everything together.
I put the holes over eachother, then use an awl to make sure the needles will go trough

 

[ANovinc]

Nice one.

I pre-mark and pre-cut stitching holes from both sides before I put everything together.
I put the holes over eachother, then use an awl to make sure the needles will go trough

Thanks. I've tried a similar method before, but then my stitch lines weren't the way I wanted after putting the sheath on the belt sander to true up the edges.

I just finished another tonight, that really looked bad on the back......(just when I thought I had [mostly] mastered straight lines)..... It's a stacked sheath with 4 layers to get through, so I'm thinking I should have punched the holes using the drill press and maybe wouldn't have run into so much trouble. Just couldn't seem to get the awl to go through the way I wanted it to. Very frustrating and discouraging. The sheath is beautiful, otherwise...I thought it was going to be my best work to date, but alas it was not.

 

[sheathmaker]

^^^^^

Punching the holes through multiple layers with the drill press is probably the best solution, however it's not even bullet proof. You need to consider modifying the needle to the shortest length that will fit into the press and still be long enough to penetrate the work completely. It is the very nature of different leathers to have different "temper" (density and firmness), therefore if the needle is too long there can be flex from slight to a lot in the longer needle and the hole will go in at some angle misaligning the front and back by the flex angle.

This same exercise using a hand awl is even more frustrating. In both cases be sure to lube the needle or awl blade with either bee's wax or paraffin wax every other stroke. It will penetrate MUCH more easily.

Paul

 

[ANovinc]

Thanks so much Paul. I wouldn't have thought to lube the awl (or needle) with wax....makes sense now that I know about it. I do feel better knowing that even the drill press is not without issue. I have another very similar sheath to make later this week and will try waxing the awl to see if I can get better results.

 

[ANovinc]

Here's some pictures of the sheath that didn't turn out so well on the back. I wasn't going to post it but decided what the heck. It's a left handed sheath by design. The good news is I may have a stitching machine heading my way for Christmas after the way this one turned out .

 

[RayseM]

I'd be very happy with that sheath. Nicely done :thumbup:

 

[ANovinc]

I'd be very happy with that sheath. Nicely done :thumbup:

Thanks much! I'm probably to hard on myself...I strive for perfection and I've yet to achieve it!