Waxed thread

[wildmanh]

I ran out of waxed thread the other day and need to get some more. The stuff I've been using came with a sewing awl I got about 14 years ago. Was natural colored and had 4 stranges. I think it was this item number from Tandy: 1205-04. Does that sound correct to anyone? Or is there something else I need to look for? I'm also considering the following threads:

Tejas Waxed Thread Natural 4 oz

Waxed Nylon Thread Natural

Artificial Sinew Natural

Also, does Walmart or Micheals sell waxed thread? Any information, sugestions and such are welcome! Thanks a bunch,

Heber

 

[Wild Rose]

IMO the best is to get unwaxed linen thread and wax as you need too - much better and cheaper. Here's a link to two types, Barbour's and one from Yugoslavia for half the price. I can recommend the Barbour's for sure since I've used it for 40+ years, but reports back from those whose opinion I trust on the matter have tried the Yugoslavian and liked it enough to recommend it so next time I buy thread.....For general use I'd recommend the 5 strand/cord with a single 'O' size harness needle.
http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=linen

For wax - Use beeswax, which is available from most leather suppliers or you can buy in bulk from several on-line dealers and/or local suppliers. Personally I like to use a mix of beeswax and pine pitch to produce a harder wax like shoemakers traditionally use. I melt beeswax with pitch (one source is http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?products_id=373 ) at a ratio of approximately 60/40 - use 6 parts beeswax to 4 parts pitch - 1 1/3 cups wax with 2/3 cups pitch is a good start. I use an old slow cooker to melt mine - the fumes can ignite so it's best to use no open flame. A double boiler will work too. You need to keep the heat low enough so that you just melt the two without the mixture smoking.
Once melted you can pour off into a large, deep bowl of cold water - knead it into smaller usable "balls" while in teh water and still warm, wipe dry, and then set aside to harden.
The pitch adds stickiness plus anti-fungal/bacterial properties.
To wax your thread draw the single thread through the wax until coated with wax - not overdone, but enough to coat all strands. Then burnish the thread - use a piece of soft scrap leather and pull the thread through it several times or hang it from a hook and burnish with a piece of brown paper bag. The idea is to generate friction to create enough heat to drive/melt the wax mix into the threads core. Check after burnishing and if need be, re-wax and re-burnish.

Commercially waxed threads have always been way too over waxed for me, plus in the long run the cost factor for the waxed thread is 4-5 times more expensive than unwaxed and waxing it yourself. But others mileage WILL vary.......

 

[ilbruche]

I use the artificial sinew on some stuff but it tends to split and fray easily.

For my sheathes I use the nylon braided cord that Tandy sells. It's more expensive than the waxed thread but it's beefy stuff. I comes in about 12 colors also.

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Chuck,

I recently sent you an email asking about the Barbours linen thread, as I was having difficulty finding it. I notice in your tutorials you refer to their red linen thread. It seems natural and black may be the only colors around these days. What would you recommend regarding coloring the thread? It seems once it's waxed it won't take on the leather dye when dying the sheath. Should I dye the thread, and dry it, before waxing it and stitching?

Thanks so much, Phil

 

[Tinbasher]

Chuck,

I recently sent you an email asking about the Barbours linen thread, as I was having difficulty finding it. I notice in your tutorials you refer to their red linen thread. It seems natural and black may be the only colors around these days. What would you recommend regarding coloring the thread? It seems once it's waxed it won't take on the leather dye when dying the sheath. Should I dye the thread, and dry it, before waxing it and stitching?

Thanks so much, Phil

The nutual braded thread that I use is waxed and it seems to take on the dye ok

Richard

 

[Wild Rose]

Chuck,

I recently sent you an email asking about the Barbours linen thread, as I was having difficulty finding it. I notice in your tutorials you refer to their red linen thread. It seems natural and black may be the only colors around these days. What would you recommend regarding coloring the thread? It seems once it's waxed it won't take on the leather dye when dying the sheath. Should I dye the thread, and dry it, before waxing it and stitching?

Thanks so much, Phil

Phil - It's not Barbour's red linen thread I referred to, but rather their Red Hand Linen, a trade name.
If you want thread dyed - dye it with the same leather dye you plan on using a head of time. I take a hank, tie off one one end over a hook, then take a rag wet with dye and rub it along the length or easier just dip the thread in the dye and then wipe it through a cloth to get rid of the excess. Let it dry (doesn't take long with leather dye and if it dries too light re-dye) and then wax.
Got your email but as you can see I answered your question here. BTW - Barbour's was purchased by Coats I believe and apparently they will still be making the linen thread, but as I noted the Yugo thread from C-B is less expensive and from all reports just as good....The only reason I haven't used it is I bought a few years worth of Barbours just prior to finding out about the Yugo thread...

 

[Phil Dwyer]

Chuck: Thanks for the info. Funny how my mind works. I linked up the red ball point pen with the Red Hand Linen thread. Da, should have known. (Insert a smilie slapping forehead here.) All the best, Phil