ballbag without measuring
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airborne2037
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nice job.. I like it.. Have you tried waxed linen thread instead of the sinew? I used to use the sinew until i descovered waxed linen...just a thought...bag looks good though
I have not tried it yet, but I plan on finding some before my next atempt. Thanks for the compliment on the bag, my wife said it looked like an old timey wine skin lol. I picked up a stitching awl today, pushing a needle through thick leather is rough on the hands, and it will help me keep my stitching more uniform.
airborne2037
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you will find the waxed linen in the beeding isle of any craft store (hobby lobby, Michaels ect). I have never used an actual sewing awl but i couldnt even imagine trying to push a needle and thread through leather (my hats off to you 
. I use a scratch awl, punch the holes individualy and then thread through the holes.
. I use a scratch awl, punch the holes individualy and then thread through the holes.- Joined
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Nice job! I particularly like the configuration. That long taper to the mouth should help avert "bridging" of the balls and resulting blocks, something pretty common in bags with a faster taper or long neck.
I can imagine there will be lots more leather projects in your future. It's addictive as heck!
I can imagine there will be lots more leather projects in your future. It's addictive as heck!
CrackStock
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Nice. My first few were made out of old baseball and softball covers. I just cut off the stitching; folded one side over on itself and stitched them up. A cut of the connecting piece left a slot for the spout. I used a bit of copper tubing flared at both ends to keep the opening open. A hand filed plug was made and a slot to adjust the tautness inside the tubing was made. A bit of a wedge made it all work perfectly.
CrackStock
CrackStock
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I'm not saying this to be critical of your stitching, just the opposite in fact. I want to encourage you to keep up the good work while making it easier and carrying it further.
The most useful single source of info I found for sewing leather is Al Stohlman's classic book The Art of Hand Sewing Leather.
Cheap at ten times the $14.99 price tag, in terms of the new stuff you can do and the ease it will bring into your work. I even make cylindrical hard cases for camera lenses with nesting lids using his methods. Made a few briefcases too with square corners and all. Not saying any of that has to do with traditional muzzleloading gear, but it tells you how far the book can take you in all sorts of directions while really setting your feet on the ground for the basics.
Long as I have you directed to that site, check out this awl. I'm real fond of it for it's small size and those flat sides on the handle. Seems like a small deal, but the flat sides are real handy for helping you orient the blade, as well as for keeping the blooming thing from rolling off the table right after you sharpened the blade. Saves on pierced feet too, even if it doesn't manage to hit a cement floor point first! :rotf:
And speaking of awl blades, there's a whole lot to sharpening them. Do it right and they pass through leather like butter, but do it wrong and you practically need a hammer. Easy piercing makes it lots easier to keep holes straight and saves on bloody fingers on the back side when a dull awl suddenly jumps through the leather. :rotf:
There's even a hand stitching kit with the book and an assortment of tools on sale for $55, if you want a wider set of tools than just an awl.
The most useful single source of info I found for sewing leather is Al Stohlman's classic book The Art of Hand Sewing Leather.
Cheap at ten times the $14.99 price tag, in terms of the new stuff you can do and the ease it will bring into your work. I even make cylindrical hard cases for camera lenses with nesting lids using his methods. Made a few briefcases too with square corners and all. Not saying any of that has to do with traditional muzzleloading gear, but it tells you how far the book can take you in all sorts of directions while really setting your feet on the ground for the basics.
Long as I have you directed to that site, check out this awl. I'm real fond of it for it's small size and those flat sides on the handle. Seems like a small deal, but the flat sides are real handy for helping you orient the blade, as well as for keeping the blooming thing from rolling off the table right after you sharpened the blade. Saves on pierced feet too, even if it doesn't manage to hit a cement floor point first! :rotf:
And speaking of awl blades, there's a whole lot to sharpening them. Do it right and they pass through leather like butter, but do it wrong and you practically need a hammer. Easy piercing makes it lots easier to keep holes straight and saves on bloody fingers on the back side when a dull awl suddenly jumps through the leather. :rotf:
There's even a hand stitching kit with the book and an assortment of tools on sale for $55, if you want a wider set of tools than just an awl.
Thanks for the links, I realy enjoy working with leather. I hope to learn more and expand on the things I make. I would like in the future to make a rifle case out of leather. I also want to tan and use my own deer hides to make clothes and such.
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cool looking work... i suspect that you'll find the awl to be a very useful bit of gear. if you're pushing a needle through leather, you're braver than i by a darnsight!
