Difficulty learning my adjustable groover. Advice please?

Started by Tallbald, January 27, 2011, 08:46:19 AM

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Tallbald

I bought a Tandy adjustable groover and have been trying to teach myself to use it, with varying results. Didn't do well on dry 10 oz, giving either a ragged cut with inconsistent depth or barely cutting at all. Dampened the leather and had some better results, but still varying depth. Tried leaning the tool forward and then backwards. Some change but not great. Do I push the tool or pull it toward me? How much of the cutting edge should extent beyond the shaft? I know the problem is with me, not the tool. Maybe I'm trying too much to treat the tool and material like my woodworking. Guidance sure would be appreciated. Thanks, Don

TwoWalks Baldridge

Quote from: Tallbald on January 27, 2011, 08:46:19 AM
I bought a Tandy adjustable groover and have been trying to teach myself to use it, with varying results. Didn't do well on dry 10 oz, giving either a ragged cut with inconsistent depth or barely cutting at all. Dampened the leather and had some better results, but still varying depth. Tried leaning the tool forward and then backwards. Some change but not great. Do I push the tool or pull it toward me? How much of the cutting edge should extent beyond the shaft? I know the problem is with me, not the tool. Maybe I'm trying too much to treat the tool and material like my woodworking. Guidance sure would be appreciated. Thanks, Don

With my adjustable groover, I pull it towards myself.  Make sure you have the proper side of the blade on the leather.  As far as getting consistent depth, you must keep a consistent amount of pressure and angle on the too.

The amount of cutting edge will depend on how far from the edge of the leather you want the groove.
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marine-mp

Tallbald,
   If it a typical Tandy's groover, the cutting blade (??) that slides in and out should be square.  When you tighten the handle, the blade should assume a slight rearward cant.  As TwoWalks said, pull it toward you at a 45 degree angle to the leather.  If the leather is really thick, that 45 angle may have to be more so as it don't dig in to deep as you pull it toward you.  Practice on so scrap and you'll be doin' it in your sleep!!!!  Semper-fi   Mike

Slowhand Bob

I second the notion that you may need to double check thet you are using the cutting side of the blade (hole).  Unless they have changed them you should be able to tell that the corner above one hole has been slightly rounded off and this needs to go down.  After that I would think that it is possible one of the China men drilled it wrong!   Tandy has a new model out that should give a lot more leverage but I have not tried it yet.

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter



    I picked up one these new stitch groovers, and find it works very well, you still have to watch and make sure your edge guide stays on the edge, there was a little learning curve, but I like that you can put direct pressure on the the groover itself it makes nice clean lines, here's a look see. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Tools/88081-00.aspx?feature=Product_574


            tEN wOLVES  :D
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Dalton Masterson

10W,
Did you notice that it cuts a little bit wider groove than the craftool groover? I am still undecided as to which one I like best...

Everything the other guys said rings true.

I also dampen my leather just a tad when grooving. It seems to make a smoother cut for me.
The biggest thing is to just practice making grooves. Get groovy with it..... ::)

DM
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Ten Wolves Fiveshooter

Quote from: Dalton Masterson on January 27, 2011, 07:52:47 PM
10W,
Did you notice that it cuts a little bit wider groove than the craftool groover? I am still undecided as to which one I like best...

Everything the other guys said rings true.

I also dampen my leather just a tad when grooving. It seems to make a smoother cut for me.
The biggest thing is to just practice making grooves. Get groovy with it..... ::)

DM

       Dalton I think it depends on how much pressure you put on it, with the other groovers you can't do that, and you are cutting on an angle, but to answer you yes it will make a little wider grove, but if you lighten up on your hold it seems to work best, at least for me, there's that learning curve again, all these tools react differently, I still like my old groovers, and keep them set up at various widths, and I always dampen my leather before using my groover or my edge bevelore . the trick as you said is practice practice practice, this is a must for all tools.

             tEN wOLVES  :D
NRA, SASS# 69595, NCOWS#3123 Leather Shop, RATTS# 369, SCORRS, BROW, ROWSS #40   Shoot Straight, Have Fun, That's What It's All About

Tallbald

Thank you all. TenWolves mine is like the one you gave a link to, with the cutting tool in the shaft and with the accessory spoon. Looking at the link, I see what a good deal she got on it as my wife had a 40% off coupon at a local hobby store, and it was marked as about $20 to begin with. Actually, I hadn't even seen the spoon bit until I saw your link and peeped around behind the enclosed card in the package. A nifty bonus! Don

Sir Charles deMouton-Black

My local leather shop says he finds no advantage in the 88081 and will continue to stock the older one.  He will special order for $34.49 Canadian, less 10% for special order plus 12%sales tax.  $20 less 40% is a no-brainer, $35 requires some motivation!
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Ten Wolves Fiveshooter


  Dang Sir Charles deMouton-Black, I payed just under thirteen bucks with my coupon for mine, are they that much more where you're at, it's not bad at all, just a little learning curve, but I still use my old ones also.

             tEN wOLVES  :D ;D

NRA, SASS# 69595, NCOWS#3123 Leather Shop, RATTS# 369, SCORRS, BROW, ROWSS #40   Shoot Straight, Have Fun, That's What It's All About

LoneRider

The "New" groover doesn't go around corners near as well as the old style! I don't think I like it as well. I do like the wider groove of the new blade! Might try to make the new blade work in the old tool!
Happy Trails

Slowhand Bob

I have three old compass style Osborns and they are a pleasure to use if kept sharp.  Problem is that they are about at the max on metal left for sharpening and the style will not hold up to a very heavy hand for long use.  The newer Osborns may be a bit sturdier made, they look it, but swapping out dull blades is not as much an option as it is with the cheap Craftsman style.  J Watt has a beautiful compass style but I know I would be to rough on it and the price is high also.

I have never tried it but someone with a sturdy hand and good eye just might have enough metal to open the hole a tiny bit on the Craftsman cutters???

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