Tools for a newbie

[Dynamik1]

Folks,

Thanks for having such an awesome resource to virtually "guild" together to learn and share.

I really would like to try my hand at making holsters. I have read the tutorials and I have a pretty good list of tools and materials that I will need. When buying tools I learned long ago that it pays to get quality crafted tools - they last longer, make the job a bit easier when you dont have to fight the tool and I usually dont regret buying the higher quality pieces.

So my question is this, are the tools at Tandy high quality? I have seen comments where it seemed like Tandy was a good source and others where it seemed Tandy has "economy-grade" tools.

So knowing that I like a higher quality tool (although not necessarily hand-made mega-dollar tools, this IS just a hobby), what sources would you recommend for buying the basic tools I will need to get started?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

[Hilly]

Folks,

Thanks for having such an awesome resource to virtually "guild" together to learn and share.

I really would like to try my hand at making holsters. I have read the tutorials and I have a pretty good list of tools and materials that I will need. When buying tools I learned long ago that it pays to get quality crafted tools - they last longer, make the job a bit easier when you dont have to fight the tool and I usually dont regret buying the higher quality pieces.

So my question is this, are the tools at Tandy high quality? I have seen comments where it seemed like Tandy was a good source and others where it seemed Tandy has "economy-grade" tools.

So knowing that I like a higher quality tool (although not necessarily hand-made mega-dollar tools, this IS just a hobby), what sources would you recommend for buying the basic tools I will need to get started?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

Hi Scott. If you ask 100 people here the same question, you're likely to get 100 different answers. My suggestion is to get some books and videos on holsters and how to make them, and if you plan on hand stitching, I highly recommend the book "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" by Al Stohlman. I consider knowledge one of the best tools of all. Get some basic tools from Tandy or Hidecrafter (and yes, they are pretty much "economy" grade), learn how to use them, and see if the tools you get will work for you. If not, then you haven't invested a lot. If you find they work well enough for your needs (and many people do), then you will have some cash left over to invest in other goodies for your hobby. Just my 0.02.

Enjoy your hobby, and please share some photos of your projects with us. We love pictures!

Hilly

[Rawhide]

For tooling tools, I like the Barry King line. See here. They are expensive, not the most, but they are more expensive than tandy. Hidecrafter's has a much better economy line than tandy, and an intermediate line that's about 10 to 15 bucks a tool, that most on this board are very satisfied with, including me.

Other makers include Robert Beard's Pro Series Tools, Wayne Jueschke, Chuck Smith, Bob Douglas, and Paul Zalesak and many more, see the main page for a list of them all.

[TwinOaks]

First off, to Leatherworker.net!

I can do nothing but agree with Hilly's and Rawhide's posts. Left out of the tool list is the sewing machine. None of the ones that will sew holsters are cheap. They start at about a grand and go up from there. If you're not ready to drop that kind of money, definitely invest in quality hand sewing materials. There's a nearly unanimous agreement that Bob Douglas makes the best Awl available (search best awl for contact info).

Learn how to saddle stitch, the little sewing awls that produce a lock stitch are nifty, but don't produce quality stitching for holsters.

When you get a creaser/folder/slicker, invest a little more and get a good wooden one. The nylon ones from Tandy work, but you'll need to dress the edges to remove any mold lines, then re-smooth where you dressed it. Just get a nice wooden one to start with, or if you're handy with tools, you can make one pretty easily. (I made mine using a 'turning blank' from Woodcraft, a dremel, and a bat. powered orbital sander)

And in agreement with Hilly's statement about knowlege being the best tool....Experiment! One of our Aussie members, Davy, has had no real training, no guilds to help out, basically he's been on his own. He also decided to do his stamping with multiple stamps over the same area to get unique patterns. It's absolutely fabulous work, and something that most of us never even contemplated. It isn't the traditional way to stamp, but there's nothing wrong with it. So, as you progress in your addictionhobby, don't ever think that there's only one way to do somthing. Also feel free to ask guidance and advice in the holster forums. There's lots of people here that are willing to help.

Go beat a dead cow,

[Dynamik1]

Thanks to all!

I should have stated upfront, no money in budget or forseeable future for a sewing machine, so I am definitely interested in handstitching. Thanks for all the advice! My Mother called from Detroit last week and asked what type of gift cards my wife and I would like this year - since I am into shooting I asked for a Dick's Sporting goods card so I could stock up on 9mm ammo, but just a day or two later I discovered this place. Now I wish I had asked for cash or a Tandy gift card LOL! To get here I followed a post by a guy on ktog.org (Kel-Tec Owners Group) where he posted a pic of an IWB holster he made. I have since become completely bitten by the bug of "hey! I wanna try that!". Interesting thing I learned Christmas Eve is that Father-in-law used to be heavy into leatherworking when he was a younger man - startin' to wonder if he might have any vintage tools laying around? hmmm...

[TwinOaks]

If he does, it'd be hard to go wrong with them. A lot of my tools are hand-me-downs from my dad who was bitten by the bug 30+ years ago. The collection isn't extensive, but it's better than a starter set. A lot of the newer Craftools from Tandy are lacking in the quality dept. The reason, I presume, is that much of the manufacturing has been outsourced, and we're now dealing with hastily assembled, mass produced tools, made by unskilled labor, and given inferior chrome plating. The corners (inside and outside corners) are more rounded on the newer tools, and IMO don't make good crisp impressions.

Of course, you can't really expect hand made stainless steel tools for $6-$8. For that, you pay $30-$80 and call Barry King.....that's EACH. Symmetry in geometric stamps is also an issue, for the same reasons.

However, all is not lost, as the big wigs at Tandy have realized the error of their ways and are looking for really good specimens of earlier tools to remake the master dies. Who knows, maybe Tandy will introduce a second line of tools- better quality, but more expensive. I hope so.

Anyway, if you can find old tools, and they aren't worn out, it's a good thing.

[Dynamik1]

Well I went to Tandy yesterday and picked up the Stohlman Art of Hand Sewing kit - it was on discount for $33. I also got a pair of high-quality shears, some eco-flo dye (also on sale for $3.50) an additional overstitch wheel (#7) and some small pieces from the scrap box. Last night I cut a small piece about 1"x3" grooved it, marked some holes, punched and stitched it just for practice.

The store was out of stock on a lot of items so I backordered them and they should be in Monday. In addition to the list above I am also getting a stitching pony, 6-7oz shoulder, a free-hand stitching groover tool and an edge beveler.

Thanks to everyone for all your great help!

And oh yeah, Happy New Year!

[TrooperChuck]

Welcome to our obsession, Dynamik1! I started out much like you, buying everything from the Tandy Leather Factory in Spokane, Washington. About 90% of the tools I have are from Tandy. But, the other 10% are what made me realize there's better stuff out there.

I think the best thing about Tandy is that they offer an avenue for new people to enter the leathercrafting world. And that's not a bad thing.

Even though I've only been leathercrafting for about 5 years, I have seen a noticable decline in the quality of Tandy's tools. Especially the stamping tools. The last few tools I've bought must be made out of some super-cheap metal because they are mushrooming really fast. I have some older Tandy tools that were given to me, which I use quite often, and they aren't showing any signs of mushrooming at all. But the new ones... I think they're going into the "I-don't-use-that-tool-anymore" box real soon.

Another item I bought from Tandy and was TERRIBLY disappointed with was their Craftool Draw Guage (#3084-00). What a piece of junk! The blade that comes with the tool is too flimsy. When cutting heavier leather it bends to one side and it's pretty much impossible to get an even cut. The threaded part that holds the blade must be made of pot-metal because within about a month of using it, I stripped out the threads and now the tool is useless.

If you are handy at woodworking, or have a friend who is good with wood, make yourself a stitching pony. I made my first one out of 1x4 pine, a door hinge, and a spring clamp. Later, I made myself a much bigger one, and I think the cost of materials was still way less than what Tandy asks for theirs.

Its good to see you aren't wanting to buy a sewing machine just yet. I own one, and have access to two others, and I almost never use them. I like sewing by hand. I guess if I had tons of jobs to do and limited time to do them in, I might try to get better with my machine. But, since this is just a hobby for me, I'm quite content with hand sewing. Besides, when I put on some music and sit down at my sewing bench, it's very relaxing.

Good luck to you, and happy stitching!

Chuck

[Greywynd]

Another resource is Al Stohlman's book on tools.....I forget teh exact title, but something like "leathercrafting tools and how to use them". I have to go digging to find my books.....been fighting computer troubles the last day, so still on that mission.

That book though, has a lot of information. How to sharpen, use, and maintain tools, and even how to make some depending on the type of leather work you do. If I recall, I think there's also some more information on stitching too.

[jbird]

The awls in that hand sewing kit are nor good even for a newbie.

Josh