Hand Stitching Leather

[1961MJS]

Hi

I just left the OKC Tandy Leather and bought both white and brown linen waxed thread.  I'm weeks away from actually using it so I don't have an opinion on it yet.

Later

[dwight55]

Dwight, What did you not like about Springfield's thread ?   Thanks, Jerry

I ordered dk brown and black, . . . 346, . . . and was given the impression it was a waxed thread.

It may have been trucked somewhere within a mile or two of a beehive, . . . that is the nearest it ever came to being waxed.

For me, . . . it was VERY dry, . . .

Also, the Tandy thread measured .029 or thereabouts, . . . the brown was .022 and the black was .024, . . . and simply did not look as good.

I'm certainly no expert, . . . but I know what I like, . . . and it simply was not likeable for me. 

May God bless,
Dwight

[onegunred]

Okay, so it was the wax and dia. and not the durability of the thread ?  Thanks, Jerry

[Slowhand Bob]

Dye the thread with the color you will use on the holster and then let it dry good before waxing the thread for sewing.  I have yet to see any thread damage due to leather dye.   

[Massive]

D 55,  I would try the Z threads.  That is what Tandy sells in 69 thread.  But they also sell the thread you are used to, and that I use in 270, which is a polyester thread.

You  can get the z threads from Tippman.  Z threads are nylon with a normally hard hand to them, a bit like the poly Tandy sells.  And they don't need wax to work properly, however, I haven't used the heavy ones, or know whether they are waxed.  Just ask first.  That is a 1 pound spool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thread-Size-Z346-Tan/110446270446?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D389%26meid%3D4635100905133157359%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D11%26sd%3D110446270239%26

[Massive]

By the way, they have more sizes and colours on their main site.  I prefer to buy off the ebay site.  But they have a lot of sizes from 69 on up 400s and for colours white, beige, brown, black.

[dwight55]

Thanks, everyone for your help, . . . one wouldn't think just finding a spool of thread would be this exasperating, . . .

So far, every thing else I have tried, . . . to me it does not LOOK right, . . . and the white thread I'm getting from Tandy actually does not like the dye.  It will take it, . . . but it would look better if the thread were colored first.

I do that sometimes by dying the thread itself ahead of time, . . . but I just hate to spend that extra effort and time if I could somewhere / somehow find the right thread so I don't have to.

This waxed thread pulls tight and stays tight for my Boss, . . . even if every now and then I have to take 15 minutes and clean the wax off the thread route.

May God bless,
Dwight

[Red Cent]

http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=waxed-thread

[Arizona Cattleman]

I use Tandy's waxed braided thread but I only hand stich.  Comes in several colors like black, brown, beige, white, red and blue.  It threads on the needle easy.  Looks much better on a finished project for me.

AC

[Mogorilla]

Hey all,
I use Tandy's as well, but lately I have found their quality went down, the thread having unexpected weak spots.  So, I am looking about.   I am curious, does anyone know what ply of thread Tandy's is?  There are variety of plys and thicknesses and sometimes I have wanted thinner thread and ended up trying to unwind the Tandy stuff.   I would like to know more about the differences.

Thanks

[rickk]

Zack White Leather has heavy waxed thread in White, Brown and Black.

[Massive]

This waxed thread pulls tight and stays tight for my Boss, . . . even if every now and then I have to take 15 minutes and clean the wax off the thread route.

May God bless,
Dwight

Dwight, if you are using the Boss, why aren't you using the Tippman thread that I suggested.  That is designed for use in your machine, and comes in useful colours.  I ask because I was thinking of getting it the next time around. I like Z thread, and the price for the size, and their shipping up to here is all good for me.  But if you are running a Tippman machine, and don't like their thread, that would be important info before I invest.

The only company I know that sells thread heavy enough for our work in fancy colours is Weaver (not that you asked).  They now have a retail site, though I am still hoping they list some stuff on ebay.

Also, why are you using 347 thread.  Most people seem to use 270.  I just mention it because 270 and 205 are a lot more common, and they are more than strong enough.  I have some designs where I may have to go to 205 on the bobbin to hide the stitches in thinner material.

[Ray]

Only hand stiching after deep grooving with two needles. Holes made by hand chisel pliers and awls and - if nothing helps - with a drilling machine.

When the sewing is done I lock the last two backstiches with a drop of glue (becomes invisible when dry) and finish it with an oversticher for an even look.

Best regards!
Ray

[Graveyard Jack]

I use this nylon thread in a brown color for nearly everything, unless I want to use artificial sinew. It's tough, it's pre-waxed and it comes in brown. If it comes off the spool with too much wax, I just run it over my thumbnail to scrape off the excess.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/lacing/threads-sinews/1227-038.aspx

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'm going to merge this thread with out hand-stitching thread that's linked to in the FAQ thread. It's good information and that will put it all together.

[fred45]

I use a drill press and a 1/16 bit to do the holes, I made a pony on the concept of the one posted on the first page, use 1x3 pine added a bit to the jaws and some leather so as not to scratch projects, I use a chunk of 4" pvc pipe with a slot as a spring, then hand stitch with 2 needles

[Massive]

http://www.mainethread.com/product10.html


These threads can be twisted to a "bristle", and the whole thing will sew like threading show lace, no struggle.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Do pards know of an off-white linen thread that wouldn't look too new? Trying to get that old-time look.

[ChuckBurrows]

Barbour's Red Hand Linen comes in a light gray/natural unwaxed linen - Last time I bought some from Campbell-Randall, you might also check Ebay.
For period pieces I use 3 cord (mine is 20/3), and it also comes in 18/3, 25/3, and 30/3 - the higher the first number (the gauge) the thinner the individual cords. I stitch at 8-12 SPI, which is typical for the era we try to emulate.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Chuck, I've been using the Barbours natural thread, but that's pretty much white. I wondered if there was something with more of an aged look, maybe with a touch of tan, the way you see in PI.