hosscomp

Al Stohlman talks briefly about making wooden forms or wood mandrils for cases. Are there other ways to this? I am planning to make a cylindrical case similar to the dice cup about 2.5 inches in diameter. The largest dowels i can find in local hardware stores are 2 inches in diameter. Do most leather workers have their own wood lathe and wood tools for making such forms? I found this one, Neiko 10370 Wood Cutting Lathe G1-1000, online for around $100 and am wondering if this would be a good one for such or if there is a less expensive way to do forms, or if they are really necessary.

Thanks for the reply. That is kinda what I was thinking about using.

Hi, I started out with a small kit from Tandy and made a few things: wallet, belt, checkbook cover, etc. Now I have bought more tools and leather and Stohlman's Hand Sewing and Leather Cases book and would like to clarify some things before going too far. My first question is on stamping. I read that I should contact glue the cased leather to a piece of cardboard before tooling. I also read that tooling should be done on a granite slab for deeper clearer imprints. Does this mean I need a thin, solid type of cardboard since it will be between the leather and the granite? If so, what type?