Punching holes to lace a Brooks or other leasther saddle
08-08-12, 05:41 AM
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Punching holes to lace a Brooks or other leasther saddle
As I understand it the purpose of lacing a saddle is to keep it from spreading or splaying out and becoming overly soft and swaybacked like an old horse correct?
Does it hutrt the value of a new Brooks to lace it? What about something like a good condition old (real age unknown) Middleworth or other saddle?
I am still trying to trade off or sell my Imperial but I thought I would use it as pettern for punching holes in my other Brooks first. While most are rather new I do like the look of the laced saddles. Is this bad idea?
Does it hutrt the value of a new Brooks to lace it? What about something like a good condition old (real age unknown) Middleworth or other saddle?
I am still trying to trade off or sell my Imperial but I thought I would use it as pettern for punching holes in my other Brooks first. While most are rather new I do like the look of the laced saddles. Is this bad idea?
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08-08-12, 05:47 AM
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If you intend to re-sell them, punching holes is a bad idea. If you intend to ride them, then no. I have done it to a number of older Brooks saddles and for me, it makes them more comfortable.
08-08-12, 05:47 AM
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BG,
Lacing a new Brooks would hurt the value. But lacing a saddle that needs lacing should enhance the value.
Lacing a new Brooks would hurt the value. But lacing a saddle that needs lacing should enhance the value.
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08-08-12, 05:59 AM
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I wouldn't do it just for the looks. But I'd definitely do it to save an older saddle and make it rideable again. I recently laced an old Ideal which turned it from something nice to look at into something quite nice to ride.
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08-08-12, 03:42 PM
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here is the MiddleWorth I am considering modifying, I look and see if i have better/closer pics of it.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Last edited by Bianchigirll; 08-08-12 at 04:31 PM.
08-08-12, 03:55 PM
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I recently posted some images and notes regarding a Velo Orange leather saddle that I laced. It helped me get a couple of extra years from a saddle that would have been shot otherwise. Here's a link to the thread I responded to:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post14550351
And here is one of the images. More in the other thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post14550351
And here is one of the images. More in the other thread:
08-08-12, 05:02 PM
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For punching holes, you should use a proper leather hole punch set, and not just a sharp awl. The hole punch properly cuts the leather, whereas an awl essentially tears the leather. It is also possible to set metal eyelets which serve to further strengthen and protect the leather from tearing under load.
Check out the tools at a good leather store.
Cheers,
Joe
Check out the tools at a good leather store.
Cheers,
Joe
08-08-12, 07:28 PM
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I have an older leather saddle that I was thinking about taking to a shoe repair shop to have them punch it and install eyelets.
08-08-12, 07:37 PM
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I have done it. I used a leather punch which offers multiple hole diameters. The tool enables you to make perfect holes. You can get it at any chain craft store like Joann's or Michaels.
Might hurt resale value but getting more miles out of a great saddle is a valuable thing too.
Might hurt resale value but getting more miles out of a great saddle is a valuable thing too.
08-08-12, 09:04 PM
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i used a drill.
the only time you see the hole is when it isn't laced...which is never...since you want to lace it.
the only time you see the hole is when it isn't laced...which is never...since you want to lace it.
08-08-12, 09:10 PM
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08-09-12, 03:38 AM
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Sorry no it is a standard
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
08-09-12, 08:29 AM
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I have done it. I used a leather punch which offers multiple hole diameters. The tool enables you to make perfect holes. You can get it at any chain craft store like Joann's or Michaels.
Might hurt resale value but getting more miles out of a great saddle is a valuable thing too.
Might hurt resale value but getting more miles out of a great saddle is a valuable thing too.
08-09-12, 11:20 AM
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I wouldn't do it to that old Middlemores, which is unusual and kinda collectible.
There are special punches for putting nice clean holes through thick leather, but a high speed drill does an equally nice job.
There are special punches for putting nice clean holes through thick leather, but a high speed drill does an equally nice job.
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