leather stitching

[wbrent]

Maybe a silly question, but is there proper ways to stich the leather around a mast or oars? I kinda assume its different than lacing up a pair of shoes.

[Jim Ledger]

A baseball stitch is just like lacing your shoes and works well.

[Bob Smalser]

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/4518261/57815588.jpg

Soak the leather in water first.

Two needles and lengths of doubled waxed heavy thread. Tight overhand knots in the ends burned with a match to make stoppers.

Start from the inside to set the stoppers, make a loop, then run the needles from inside out to make the baseball stitch. Finish with another loop and burned knots on the underside.

Finish by boning the stitches with your fid to press them deeper into the wet leather.

[Bernadette]

be careful to cut the leather to perhaps a smidgen smaller than actual size because when its wet you can stretch it around your spar or whatever, then when dry, you will have a very snug fit. i usually soak leather for at least 30 mins if not more before stitching. its best to precut your holes if starting out for the first time.
and be wary of dyed leather. it will/can stain sails and the such like.
finally dress with wool fat or similar.

[goodbasil]

The English publication Classic Boat, #78, Dec.94 has a very good
piece on leather stitching for boats. ( 4 pages) I wish the author,
Chris Topf had expanded it a bit and published it as a small book or pamphlet.

[bloggs68]

Try this link.

http://www.gartsideboats.com/leather.php

Easy explanation to follow and works a treat.

regards,


AD

[redbopeep]

I need to re-leather a couple things including a gaff saddle. What type and thickness of leather should be used? What is there is so far gone that I can't figure it out. It is a sort of large saddle...umm maybe about 16-18 inches across the direction that wraps around the mast, about 10-12 inches the other way.

Thanks!

[Thorne]

I think that Bob S. posted a link to an oiled latigo leather supplier on eBay, somewhere in BC maybe? Worth checking out if you don't want to treat/ oil your own vegetable-tanned leather.

[Jay Greer]

Oil tanned greased red latigo leather is available from the ship's store at the Wooden Boat Foundation in Port Townsend WA.
http://www.woodenboat.org/
Jay

[Bob Smalser]

I need to re-leather a couple things including a gaff saddle. What type and thickness of leather should be used? What is there is so far gone that I can't figure it out. It is a sort of large saddle...umm maybe about 16-18 inches across the direction that wraps around the mast, about 10-12 inches the other way.

Thanks!

I'd want it as thick as I could make fit. Probably 7-8oz. And here's that other supplier of latigo:

http://www.buckskinleather.com/prices.htm

[abe]

The method used on the oars shown attached is the one referenced in the Gartside.com website. I suppose a similar method would apply to a mast saddle as well.

A few other articles have been published in WB magazine. Numerous posts on this Forum with additional info using the search function may help as well.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid174/p4f89834671e7d5f4dcfe441e40cf53fb/f396e0c8.jpghttp://cheerio.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p241260198-4.jpg

The leather and twine were purchased from our sponsors at the WoodenBoat Store.

abe