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Thumper

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OK...I'm going to step out here and get ran over.

I've been looking a LOT today online and trying to figure out some tools to start with, even used off of eBay would be fine with me. My daughter and one of my boys is interested in learning leather crafting with me. So I need to figure out what are the "name brands" I can look for used or new at a decent price that I can try and get for a lower cost start in the world of leather craft.

Advice, tips, pointers, and experience verbiage is all welcome. surrender.gif

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Just a reminder - the "name brand" stuff isn't always the quality stuff. I do more "watch OUT for" name brands than I do "watch for" name brands. Some folks seem to think that the person who spent more on advertising has the better product (????). And then, there's a considerable price difference from one place to the other for the SAME product.

Depending on the age of the "kids", I'd think a strap cutter and box knife could be shared while mallets and tooling blocks might not be. Books and patterns certainly need not be bought repeatedly.

But if you let us know what type of projects you're thinking about it would be easier.

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They are wanting to make wallets and belts to start with. One is 19 and the other is 15. I know carving will be required, stamping, and some lacing. so let's start there.

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This kit has been marked down about 50%, to where it's now a reasonable price. This is all stuff that would help with what you're wanting to do, and from there you'll have a feel for where you want to go with it. There's a Tandy in Little Rock just up the road from you where you can see some other stuff that might help, but I suggest you look into the site in the next paragraph before you go ... the SAME stuff for LESS money in St. Louis. You can pay the shipping and STILL pay less.

You'll need some dye, finish, etc. I use Fiebing's spirit dyes, Neatsfoot oil, and Tan-Kote. Always good results, but I've heard good things about Angelus products and have been meaning to try them, too. Spirit dyes include alcohol (toxic if swallowed) and Angelus is water-based, but your kids are old enough that it's a personal preference. I get all of that at S-T Leather in St. Louis. The link works, but the prices haven't been updated on their site. There's a phone number on the site - just ask them to send you the 2010 catalog. Always good stuff from them. They will also have the lacing punches (3/32" for wallets) you'll want, and their belt snaps work well for half the money as other places.

You'll want something to cut a long, straight edge on the hide to start from. Doesn't matter what you use ... I use a glass table top that came with one of my tables (6' long and I can see the leather under it).

2/3 ounce or 3/4 oz tooling leather for wallet backs, and 8/9 oz or 9/10 oz for belts (if you're making lined belts, a 6/7 oz with a 3 oz "inside" should be fine). No way to "pick" a good hide that I can tell you with this post, and I always recommend you go pick it out ... for look, feel, smell, etc.

You'll probably also be wanting a good quality stitching/lacing horse, but I'll leave that recommendation for someone else, as I'm in the market for a better one myself :)

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You'll probably also be wanting a good quality stitching/lacing horse, but I'll leave that recommendation for someone else, as I'm in the market for a better one myself :)

Well, given a little time, I can build you one as I build me one. I've been building custom furniture for family and friends for 20 years now. It's a passion / hobby of mine and yes...I have a full time job that keeps me more than busy....but I will be happy to build you a horse that is of your design. Just PM me if you are interested. Maybe this will be a good way to repay you for the help you are giving to me in getting started in leather work. whatdoyouthink.gif

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I'm not seeing where I've done anything that requires or even suggests anything owed ... if I helped at all that's good. I'll keep you in mind about the horse, though, since I'm going to get one somewhere could just as well be one of yours :)

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