4-Prong Square Leather Lacing Chisel

I created this tool for punching stitching holes for leather scales. If you'd like to know more about making these scales, you can find that instuctable here. This tool allows you to punch four holes in a square pattern. In the case of the scales, it allowed me to punch holes in the intersection of four scales all at once and get consistent stitching throughout the project.

wire nails

JB Super Weld (UV curing glue)

wood block

drill

wood dowel

hammer

washer or nut

Drill a hole in a block of wood that leaves your wire nails exposed by about a 1/2" and is as wide as you'd like your holes to be from each other.

To prevent the nails from embedding themselves deeper into the block of wood as it's hammered, you need some sort of metal base inside your drilled hole. I opted for a nut, but a washer or other solid metal object would work.

Press the nut into the bottom of the hole.

Hold the block of wood on it's side and apply glue to the bottom of the hole. Lay a nail in the glue and cure it with the UV light.

Rotate the block around and repeat the process until you've glued four nails into the hole as shown.

The glue is strong, but not strong enough to withstand repeated pounding with a hammer. Therefore, you need support in the center of the nails. Cut a small piece of wooden dowel that is roughly the depth of the hole and hammer it into the center of the nails using something like the bolt as shown.

Sand the wood block to prevent splinters and use pliers to shift the nails if necessary. You can add more glue to the nails around the dowel after making adjustments.

Enjoy square or "x" stitches on your next project.