by dwags4him » April 24th, 2008, 9:20 pm
Just an idea.....
I have found through numerous repairs that the best way to keep this split from spreading is to...
A) Keep the laces of the fingers tight, esp. between the pointer and middle finger stalls.
or
A + B) Add mid-finger support lace, ala what is factory installed in most new Trap-eze gloves. Trapeze's are the most prone to the problem because the web is so efficient at absorbing the shock of a catch that it spreads that shock to the nearest finger joint. Just gently push your hand into any glove's web and watch the joint at the base of the pointer finger stretch. Balls often do not hit the pocket exactly, and that strains this joint even more.
The how to section....
Grab your favorite practice glove
Here's how I have learned to do this....
1) The way that has worked well for me to get very accurate holes is to take a 3/4" or 1" strip of something solid (a ruler works very well), and lightly score the leather in a straight line along both edges (Pen, awl, pencil)....this will establish the line that the holes will occupy.
2) Than mark the holes (dead center in the middle edges of all the fingers, and in line with step 1) with a small Phillips screwdriver, which allows your drill to move without slipping. You can make a slight divot.
3) Grab a drill, or if possible a Dremel rotary tool, and use a very small (1/8") bit (I use a drywall cutting bit, because it won't grab the felt inside the glove) to drill a hole. This hole should completely perforate the leather. Use a very high speed, otherwise you will guaranteed snag the felt inside the leather when you break through.
4) Switch to a sharpening/grinding bit (these usually feel like sandpaper and look conical, sometimes without a sharp point.), and re-do all the holes....this time let the bit widen and smooth the holes....what you will be left with is perfectly circle holes of about 1/4".
5) Grab some lace and re-lace the new piece of leather so that it runs towards the palm of the glove....under where your fingers will rest while in their stalls.
6) Run the string one way....and back again along the other set of holes, looping around on the top side of the pointer finger, than back through the middles of all the other fingers, and back up to the surface of the pinkie finger. Your knot will be very close to the knot that secures the pinkie felt piece inside the glove.
7) Repeat about 20 times, and you will be able to do the whole deal in about 15 minutes....
I have used this on my own gloves for years....it works beautifully. I have never had a glove develop any bad split....just jump on it early...and keep the new lace and the fingertips tight!
No glue...No epoxy....No deaths.
David Wagner
Play It Again Sports Northbrook
847-564-9180
I service all gloves brought to PIAS Schaumburg, Villa Park, Oak Lawn, and Northbrook.
847-899-5423 [Cell]