Purchasing Tools/hardware/leather In Canada

[KristineRosePhoto]

Hi Everyone!

I'm brand new to leather working and am enjoying it immensely; I took a class at the local Tandy shop with a great instructor. So now I'm in the (exciting) process of learning and making but I am at the point where I need more tools, hardware, and leather for some of the things I want to make.

I'm located in Halifax, Nova Scotia- so I don't have many options outside Tandy for purchasing things locally.

I'd love recommendations for places to purchase tools online- specifically I'd be interested in Canadian suppliers, or information from Canadians who have purchased from US suppliers (Springfield, Zack White, etc.) - I'm a bit wary about the brokerage and duty charges.

Also interested in places to purchase hardware- fasteners, snaps, etc. in bulk. - is Ebay worth it? I know many stores on there are shipping direct from China.

As for leather I've only been buying it in person at Tandy so far. I've noticed that within a specific type of leather each piece varies greatly in quality- so I've spent time looking through them all to find the best pieces. As such I'm wary of buying leather online since two pieces that are supposedly the same (at least in price) are very different. Is this specific to Tandy- or would this also apply to other stores as well?

I appreciate any input! Feel a bit like a fish out of water looking at all these different websites selling what looks like basically the same thing.

Cheers,

Kristine

[Eccho]

Hi Kristine, I live in Ontario for 61/2 mo. of the year, and S. Texas for 51/2mo. While in Ontario I deal mostly with Tandy, as I have three stores in relative close proximity. The closest is actually 3hours away. I have built a bit of a rapport with the manager of that particular store,and they have come to know me, and what I expect in regard to leather. If you are able to visit your local Tandy, try doing that. Introduce yourself, tell them what you are going to make,show them what you feel is the type of leather you believe you would like to receive when you order. I have had to return a few things, and I have had to get credit for a few errors, but I have never had a problem. I keep a PO box in Mich. which is only an hour from my home, so I get orders dropped from US suppliers and go pick them up. It is just so much faster than waiting till things clear customs. I have bought from Springfield Leather Company, and have visited their store. I have had wonderful service from them, and gotten nice leather from them, but I think shipping to NS would be prohibitive. For my money the absolute best supplier of all things hardware would be Ohio Travel Bag. They are easy to set up a wholesale account with, and their prices are very good. I believe they have a minimum order of $30.USD, but I should be so lucky as to only need that much.. Try to establish what you are going to make in the next 2-3 months, figure out what you will need for hardware and try to order it all at once, as much as you are able. I am certain others will jump in here and some will not agree with me, but I can only tell you what my experience has been. Keep tooling, and welcome to the net. Eccho

[KristineRosePhoto]

Thanks for the advice Eccho! I really appreciate it

[Tempus]

I know exactly what you're going through. As far as I can see, it's just like going to Costco - you have to be aware of what the prices are. Personally, I found Tandy prices for their tool kits high. I've been shopping around and found that with a little effort you can get more for your buck. Just think outside the box. Some automotive tools are easily substituted so try your local Princess Auto or Busy Bee Tools (Dartmouth) for hollow hole punches etc. They may not be the Cadillac of tools but you'll get by. Michaels, Fabricland & other craft/fabric stores ... If you have the time, check local auctions. I've also found: http://www.leathersmithdesigns.com/%C2'> (in Halifax) though here leathernetwork.net - haven't purchased from them - just offering ideas to you. Goodsjapan.com appears to have decent tools for the price (their pricking irons received good reviews) - I'll be getting some stuff from them shortly.

There's a fairly large "for sale" area here on the forum too - but deals go quickly. That's where I found member jmkjmk2 who's in the process of gathering some used tools for me. Just PM him (message him). Many other members sell their used tools here. Depending on the item, you can end up saving 50-75% on the cost of new - if you don't mind used tools. Plenty of videos to watch too - on Youtube - check out Ian Atkinson (Leodis Leather) & Nigel Armitage (Armitage Leather) for ideas etc.

[TinkerTailor]

Buckskin leather in Calgary has a huge selection, really well sorted. I have been there and they are meticulous about sorting. Other than the reject/defect sides pile, i barely saw a blemish. Their Hermann Oak room is as big as the whole tandy store in Calgary. The person I talked to last time said that in her training she was told that other suppliers will slip in a bad piece here and there on purpose to get rid of it, while they NEVER do that. Satisfied customers are happy customers and double shipping eats all the profits, so get it right the first time. I would never mail order leather from tandy, but would from buckskin at the drop of a hat. If you can go there, it is well worth while to look in their discount pile. Unlike tandy, where they are really bad, or little pieces, I got a 27 sq foot side of english bridle 4-5oz with a bad crease vertically in the middle for 100 bux. It was beautifull, but could only make 36 inch straps max. Perfect for my stuff, not so good for horse gear. Found a side in there 3 days before valentines day with a huge heart shaped brand on it, and almost bought it just for that but that is a different story.

[Gump]

Being from the area, I know exactly what you mean. But unfortunately Tandy is as good as it gets locally. Tundra leather in Ont. has a good selection of hides, but most tools are the same as Tandy. With our dollar in the toilet, shopping stateside will kill you. Minimum brokerage fees start around $27 for $100 worth of goods shipped and brokered through UPS. If you pay with a credit card, they will charge you a fee to exchange currencies. Paypal is a must for importing. So , basicly I buy Canadian whenever possible because the "savings" stateside aren't what they appear after shipping, brokerage, exchange fees and import duties on items not made in US. A lot of the time I can import from the UK cheaper than from US. So much for free trade, eh.

[KristineRosePhoto]

Thank you for all of the replies! They are really helpful. I appreciate the links to a few new places to check out!

Gump- I figured that might be the case shopping in US, but was unsure about the brokerage fees. Shucks! I used to buy my camera gear from BH, but nixed that with our dollar the way it is. Do you have any recommendations for places in the UK to check out online?

[25b]

Everyone talking about buying from goodsjapan, you'd be better served by buying from leathercrafttools.com. They have the exact same brand pricking irons and other tools as goodsjapan except their prices are a whole heck of a lot cheaper and they don't gouge on their shipping prices.

I have no affiliation with them except as a customer. I don't even go to goodsjapan's website anymore except to see just how much higher their prices are...

[Tim321]

There is a place in NS that sells a limited amount of leather, has some hardware and tools

Leathersmith designs

88 Woodlawn Road
Dartmouth, NS
B2W 2S5
Canada

Toll Free 1-800-845-1829

Local Phone 902-434-9721

http://www.leathersmithdesigns.com/leather-craft-supplies-leather-craft-supplier/

Hi Everyone!

So now I'm in the (exciting) process of learning and making but I am at the point where I need more tools, hardware, and leather for some of the things I want to make.

I'm located in Halifax, Nova Scotia- so I don't have many options outside Tandy for purchasing things locally.

Cheers,

Kristine

[TinkerTailor]

Everyone talking about buying from goodsjapan, you'd be better served by buying from leathercrafttools.com. They have the exact same brand pricking irons and other tools as goodsjapan except their prices are a whole heck of a lot cheaper and they don't gouge on their shipping prices.

I have no affiliation with them except as a customer. I don't even go to goodsjapan's website anymore except to see just how much higher their prices are...

Goods Japan has an ebay store on ebay.ca which has free shipping. There are also a few additional options on the ebay store that leathercrafttools don't have.

http://stores.ebay.ca/goodsjapancom/

[KristineRosePhoto]

Just received a package from leathercrafttools.com with no charge for duty or customs!

Thanks everyone for feedback and suggestions, I'm grateful to have a list of places to look over when I'm looking to purchase new materials and tools.

[25b]

Just received a package from leathercrafttools.com with no charge for duty or customs!

Thanks everyone for feedback and suggestions, I'm grateful to have a list of places to look over when I'm looking to purchase new materials and tools.

Yep......told ya. Very glad it worked out for you...I enjoy dealing with them over goodsjapan any day.

[Halitech]

I just ordered a few things from Springfield leather for less then 1 tool would have cost me at Tandy, including shipping. Granted I went with the cheapest method of shipping (12.95) so it will take about a wee to get here but saving 70.00 on the order will hopefully be worth it. I'm in the valley now which makes even getting to Tandy a chore since I don't currently have a car.