TLE: Using a Chisel On Multiple Plies Of Leather 

You could use 2 or 3 needles to line up your holes when gluing it together basically guaranteeing your holes are perfectly aligned.

OLD LEATHER SMITH here, very nice Chuck, I personally used 2 drill my holes after glueing I have VERY SMALL DRILLS, everything lined up perfectly no ruff edges GOD'S BLESSINGS ✝️⚾🙃

With this method, it's a miracle to get the holes lined up when you glue it together. I've never been able to get this method to work.

Chuc, you should be using an awl for those holes, a chisel makes far to bigger hole, bur if u use the chisels then wax the stem and point, it comes out far easier, the normal way to do it would be make the awl holes in the first and second layer once they have been bonded, then awl through the third layer when stitching, great videos keep them coming "BlackDog"......

Where were you 59 years age when I was struggling with the same problem??? I came up with basically the same "fix". You make things look so simple and easy, and I learn quite a bit from your videos. I am a self taught leather worker . I have been for almost 60 years, but I always appreciate new tips. Maybe when I get through I will know it all. I am 76 but I plan to live to at least 12o. (as old as Moses!) Thanks.

I went to a dremel tool drill press with a 1/16 inch drill bit after my very first Holster.

"Long way around the barn" - I'm using this! Thanks for another great video!!

Thanks chuck always like to get the little tricks

great idea chuck! thanks

As always the master at work.

Excellent tutorial. Thank you for your time.

Everyone has their own little "tips & tricks" to help keep their holes aligned. One of the things that helps me the most is, the actual hole shape. The 4 types of hole shapes I use are: Straight, Slanted, Round, and a Pin Hole. These are all the types of stitching chisels I have anyway, and I use them in different situations. If I have multiple layers of think leather, using the straight style of hole (like Chuck uses in this video) actually make this SO SO much easier. Their is a certain amount of "leeway" when using these straight holed chisels. I would imagine the worst choice on for something like this would be the round and pin hole style holes. There is basically ZERO leeway with those. You have to get them dead-on or you can tell. Those are only good for thinner leather where you can go through the whole project at once.

Nice method, useful for sheath and so on.

Great lessons from the professor! This works so good for prefect stitch lines, I've been using this method for holsters for about a year. I use a drill press for really thick sheaths (3/4" on up at the throat).

Good tip Chuck!

I'm doing a replica of a Buck 107 sheath and your idea makes sense. I did purchase a drill press for the project cause the sheath and welt added to 3/4". Will use your idea this weekend on the project and return the drill press. Have a nice and productive weekend Chuck!!!! See you next Wednesday.

Nice I like when you share those little tips and tricks they're very helpful

Thank you so much for this. I am making a drawknife sheath that has two layers with a welt. How to do this accuralately with my punch is what us needed. Your technique answered it for me.

Realy helpful!!!thanks!!👍

Always good quality content at your channel. Greetings from Brazil!

Great stuff, thanks for sharing with us noobs. Your videos are educational and inspiring to us who are just getting into leatherwork.

Good advice!

How about a leather element for rolled edges, or different methods for hiding stitches? Both are things I’m interested in, but as a beginner I don’t really know where to start.

I would just like to say that your leather conversion chart is very helpful..

I consider myself to be a creative person but this is clever! I’m kicking myself for not figuring it out on my own. This is *really* a great work around. Thank you Chuck and Weaver Leather!

This is so good, I was stuck trying to chisel two-ply 9oz leather and I knew it wouldn’t end well, luckily Chuck and WLS always have the solution! Thanks so much

That's how I always saddle stitch. I put one needle through, pull the thread back to open the hole, then put the other needle through. I never saw the point of trying to put both needles through the hole at the same time.

thank you so much

I did something similar on a holster, except I incorporated the sticking holes in the patter itself.

Perfecto 👍👍👍

Always spot on! My question is, what if your stitch line is longer? Not looking for a video on that, but maybe a short narrative about it. Thanks a lot love your approach to us crafters!

I have had this problem, my chisel is stuck now it's being used as a coat hanger.

Your videos have really given me the inspiration and motivation to start this craft that I’ve been wanting to try for some time. Great videos and great teachings. I was wondering if you can make a video about making suspenders? Or if you have any tips about making them. Thanks again for all the helpful information.

Same as Sanders lol... I drill press thick stuff...

Gracias 👍

this helped tremendously...I would basically destroy my work trying to pull out a buried chisel

I use a deadblow hammer and just try to use 2 strikes to punch the chisel through just enough for the prongs to be all the way through but not all the way up the chisel.

Perfect timing, making a sheath for a hefty sized knife and was only just thinking about things like this, cheers!

Any tips or tricks for adding rigid reinforcements inside leather? For example, a leather box with sheets of plastic inside for strength and structure.

Great tip. How would you implement this on lined belt? I have problems keeping my punch perfectly straight up and down when punching though about 12-14 oz combined leather. Thanks!

Why not use pricking irons and a diamond awl. It tends to push the leather out of the way instead of cutting it or god help us removing it with a drill. This maintains the strength and integrity of the leather and when you set the stitching by hammering it, it closes fully around the thread making it stronger and look better. I’d love to see a leather element on traditional saddle stitching in this manner as it is definitely an improvement on using diamond chisels.

Would a similar technique be possible to mark the front and back with a stitching wheel? Do those different sizes match the spacing on certain chisels like a Size 5 wheel = 4mm spacing?

Hi. I'm wondering how you lined the holes up perfectly on the glue up.

Chuck, I have 4 different size chisel sets, which size chisel should I use with different leathers?

can u make a sheath for a case knife sod buster jr

Great work as always. But I have a question... how do you finish that stich with 3 pieces of leather? I've seen a few videos and notice that you push through 1 side on opposing ends and meet in the middle and tie off. Do you try to push through 2 sides on 1 end and 1 side of the other and meet at the same plane? I apologize I watched the video without sound and I've been drinking... heavily. Thanks again and great video as always.

Indonesia is here

Thanks a lot for the tips, I find myself often struggling with exactly that problem. The thing is, I only have slanted diamond chisels, so I can't chisel from both sides as the holes will misalign ( / on \). Any tips for that problem except the 1 prong chisel?

if someone was to invent a way to hold down the leather around hole as you pull out the chisel - that would be amazing!

What brand and size chisels were you using?

Is it necessary to add a welt to a holster or is that just for wider framed pistols?????

Use a drill press

I usually glue the pieces together, then I punch thru all layers.

Slightly off-topic, but what is the purpose of the welt? Does it add stability to the seam?