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Pierce the awl through pads of sole leather to stack up a depth stop to avoid piercing too far into the last, or into a last plate.
Many makers peg just slightly into the bottom of the last, at least were there isn’t any last plate. This requires a peg float or other tool to rasp or cut down the points of the pegs where they poke out above the insole.
Use pegs that are slightly longer than the holes being made.
Wet the bottom leather with a brush before piercing and let it soak in.
Lubricate the awl before piercing each hole. Some use beeswax, others paraffin, others soap.
Pierce far enough from the featherline so pegs won’t be seen from the side of the finished shoe.
Makers differ on whether or not to paste or glue pegs. Many find they aren’t necessary, even for heavily worn cowboy boots. Others prefer a small amount of paste.
Ideally, drive each peg by tapping in place, hitting once to set to the angle of the hole, then again to drive it completely home. If the peg is slightly longer than the hole, the top will break a bit. This is fine. Pare or rasp it off.