I have a Stewart Speedy Stitcher, but the bulk and weight mean it’s a home work shop item. Now an awl isn’t even something I use that often, but still, a handy tool to have access to.
Being the guy I am, I thought of making one myself. I had found a collet chuck for a pittance at Princess Auto recently. Still a bit bigger than I wanted though. Plus I would have to drill a hole through hardened steel.
Another tool that I use a lot and will carry in the Sew’mups, is an X-Acto knife.
Both for regular #11 blades and for curved blades to use as a seam ripper.
While looking through a tool box that I had had up in the boat loft, I found this knife, that I had practically forgotten about. (I have a few knives like this. Building models, doing pasteup and stripping film – some I’ve had for 35 years.)
Since the curved blade is meant for a scalpel holder, it isn’t a perfect fit, but it holds without slippage or wobbling, so it’s fine.
Great, it holds the blades. But wait! The proper X-Acto brand knives I have, have a single slot to clamp the blades.
This one has two slots...and a hole to hold a circular object!
Like a #4 needle meant for the Stewart Speedy Stitcher.
My kit also contains some drill bits, and a saddler’s awl.
Now clearly it lacks the ability to mount a T-handle, but I may drill a hole though this so that I can use a cotter pin (or something similar) to use for that purpose.
Great to find one tool that can serve dual duty. And when it’s one I didn’t have to pay for – even better. Given this thing is likely 25 to 30 years old, I couldn’t for the life of me tell you who made it or where to find one.
it is called a "pin vice" made to hold small drill bits
ReplyDeleteOh I know ... I just didn’t remember I had one.
DeleteAnd, I was looking at them recently, but all the pin vices I looked at only held a drill bit – not a blade. Or X-acto knife holders that only held a blade. The fact that this can do both is what had me thrilled.