Newbie From Colorado

[CrufflerSteve]

I just joined this forum. Long ago I used to be a cabinetmaker. I moved into other career paths but tried to keep handy (since I only removed the tips of a few fingers).

I always found leather work interesting but never got started. A few months ago my local Tandy started a bunch of classes and I jumped in. I've found the tooling fascinating. I have several projects I've moved slowly on and a lot of scrap I've mangled learning how to do it.

I made a utilitarian knife sheath and have a nicer one in progress. Tandy had a belt making class and it was fun to cut it all out of a piece, put in rivets and punch holes. Rather foolishly I chose to tool it in an intricate Celtic design. I realized quickly I was out of my depth and ruined some scrap getting it right. Tonight I finished all the tooling. It's amazing how helpful a modeling spoon can be to simulated the over/under of knots. Next I'll dress up the edges and try to make it more consistent. My technique really improved from one end to the other.

Anyways, hello to the board. I now have a pile of tools, leather and a lot of projects to do.

Steve

[TwinOaks]

Welcome to Leatherworker.net and your new addiction hobby. We have a LOT of members who are happy to help out with any questions you'll have, so don't be shy about asking them. If you have a specific question, try to include a pic if you can, as it is easier for us to (literally) see what you're asking about and offer a little advice.

[joet]

I just joined this forum. Long ago I used to be a cabinetmaker. I moved into other career paths but tried to keep handy (since I only removed the tips of a few fingers).

I always found leather work interesting but never got started. A few months ago my local Tandy started a bunch of classes and I jumped in. I've found the tooling fascinating. I have several projects I've moved slowly on and a lot of scrap I've mangled learning how to do it.

I made a utilitarian knife sheath and have a nicer one in progress. Tandy had a belt making class and it was fun to cut it all out of a piece, put in rivets and punch holes. Rather foolishly I chose to tool it in an intricate Celtic design. I realized quickly I was out of my depth and ruined some scrap getting it right. Tonight I finished all the tooling. It's amazing how helpful a modeling spoon can be to simulated the over/under of knots. Next I'll dress up the edges and try to make it more consistent. My technique really improved from one end to the other.

Anyways, hello to the board. I now have a pile of tools, leather and a lot of projects to do.

Steve

Welcome to Leatherworker.net, from someone just down river from you (Pueblo). You've picked the right hobby to get into and you will learn a lot from your Tandy manager as well as from this group. Tell Tina "Hi" for me the next time your in her store. If you are interested, there is a leather guild that meets in the store every month except December. You would not be the only one that comes from a long distance for a meeting if you joined.