ATTACKATTACKATTACK Report post Posted May 5, 2011 Gooday! First post here, so I hope I am doing things right! Very excited to start off on this. I'd like to start my first project. My idea was to do a Wallet as my first project, but reading through everything here so far a Belt seems like a more realistic and possible kick off to this great hobby. I'd like to do just a simple belt with some edging and have some creasing just in from the outside of the belt. I have at the moment no tools, no leather, and no experience. So I was hoping people here could suggest me a few avenues for all of them. I've seen the pictorial instructional on making a belt and will likely follow that one to a T. What I am basically looking for in direction is: Which tools should I get for this? Which leather would you suggest and how much of it?(I have measured as to the diagram in the pictorial and I have a 37inch waist.) Are there anymore interesting instructional information on belts around that might help me out? And basically any other tips or suggestions or even hellos you have for a newbie. To give you a project line for what I'd like to do to possible suggest tools for down the line too. I'd like to make a belt, a wallet, and hopefully later down the road a camera case for an old film camera I shoot with. My budget is around 100$-200 for the startup costs. I could spend more, but I don't know how much I will like this type of craft so I don't want to overbuy out of the gate. Thanks in advance for the response! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craig h Report post Posted May 5, 2011 Gooday! First post here, so I hope I am doing things right! Very excited to start off on this. I'd like to start my first project. My idea was to do a Wallet as my first project, but reading through everything here so far a Belt seems like a more realistic and possible kick off to this great hobby. I'd like to do just a simple belt with some edging and have some creasing just in from the outside of the belt. I have at the moment no tools, no leather, and no experience. So I was hoping people here could suggest me a few avenues for all of them. I've seen the pictorial instructional on making a belt and will likely follow that one to a T. What I am basically looking for in direction is: Which tools should I get for this? Which leather would you suggest and how much of it?(I have measured as to the diagram in the pictorial and I have a 37inch waist.) Are there anymore interesting instructional information on belts around that might help me out? And basically any other tips or suggestions or even hellos you have for a newbie. To give you a project line for what I'd like to do to possible suggest tools for down the line too. I'd like to make a belt, a wallet, and hopefully later down the road a camera case for an old film camera I shoot with. My budget is around 100$-200 for the startup costs. I could spend more, but I don't know how much I will like this type of craft so I don't want to overbuy out of the gate. Thanks in advance for the response! I am a newbie also..but here is a thought! You'll need a piece of marble or pounding board...you can buy leather belt strips with the snaps and slots already cut at a decent price. Purchase a basket weave stamp...border stamp.. ..a edger...a border creaser..a mallet... a swivel knife and perhaps some dye ..... this will get you pretty well started . I think at a decent out flow of your hard earned dollars. A learner ..Craig h Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azrider Report post Posted May 27, 2011 My first belt cost me over $200. It was worth it. If I was trying this out and wanted a simple belt, and was trying not to spend a ton, I would get the following: Pre-cut belt blank with snaps from Tandy Keeper Kit from Tandy Adjustable Crease from Tandy #2 Edger from Tandy Utility knife with a fresh razor blade from tool box. Dye small container from Tandy Saddle Soap- from my shoeshine kit Top Coat finish- Small container from Tandy Buckle from Tandy Read the tutorials on how to do edges and how to do make a belt in the how to section. Spend several hours making the belt. Let the finishes dry, and wear your belt. This was where I went back to Tandy and got stamping tools, a stone, and books. Looking back, just get the books your first few rounds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glendon Report post Posted May 28, 2011 The starter kits available at Tandy are a perfect way to get started I think. The Deluxe Starter Kit is on sale right now. It comes with both a belt kit and wallet kit along with all the tools you need to start out. I would also pick up a bag of tooling leather remnants for $10. That gives you a pound of scrap to practice on very cheap. With shipping that would run you something around $100, and would keep you busy for awhile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
