JRDill

Now that I'm thinking about it, there's no way it's 8oz. veg tan. It was a pack of scraps given to me from Tandy and says "Veg Remnants 8oz." so I'm starting to think it's 8oz. of scraps?

I'm going to start making very simple credit card wallets that will hold four cards, two on each side. I am curious of what type(s) of leather to use and what weight. I am currently making a "prototype" if you will of one, but the 8oz. scraps of veg tan I have seem way too flimsy.

This is a great question I was about to ask! I have an old military style metal desk with a wooden top. My working area is the first floor of my two story home with a basement under me. What thickness of granite should I get, and where should I look for an inexpensive option?

This sounds really cool! I can't wait to see where it goes.

I believe it is a Tandy stitch groover. And the study guide is great. Apparently he would do practice carves and tests, then send them in and they would send back a grade and critique. I'll post some photos some time of it. Thanks for all the comments! I will be updating this thread often as I learn and grow.

I wasn't sure which sub forum to put this under, so I figured this would be a good place. I wanted to start a thread to document my journey and progress as I grow in my leather experience. Last night I was finally able to unpack all of my Grandpa's tools from the storage bins I had of them (http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=64178 this thread in "Getting Started explains that a bit). I have yet to organize or catalog what toold I have, mainly because it is a lot! Here are some photos of my work area. I'm about 75% set up. Missing a few essential tools for belt making, which I will start soon, but other than that I am pretty set! Cool and old Stamper! Grandpa's first leather project was to make covers for all of his Al Stohlman Leather courses! Here is the cover ABC Stamps he used most often More alphabet/number sets Most of the tools. I still have a shoe box of stamps and another with more carving/design tools. Can someone tell me what the second to last from the left tool is (the ones laying on the desk)? It's got a small allen wrench looking attachment on it. I am set on dyes (especially black and dark brown), for the next lifetime. All of his traced patterns he ever used! His first swivel knife. My favorite part of the collection.

Thanks, Byggyns. I will check out that book for sure. I think I am going to go with veg tan so I can hand dye. I get to start working next week on leather and I'm really excited. I just moved to Kansas City from Houston for work and I've been in temporary housing for a month. I can't wait to show some progress photos!

This is gold for me. I know the process of making a belt, I just needed strong guidance with the whole "measurement" thing.

I won't be tooling the belts. I want to start with just plain, great looking belts. And thanks so much for the links, super helpful!

Also, what type of leather do you recommend for belt making?

Thanks for the feedback! I think I am going to start with blank belts and make my way from there to wallets as I grow more confident. I'll be practicing tooling throughout until I have a decent grasp on it. I guess my questions right now surround belt making; Is there a particular measurement for things like distance between buckle holes and how long the fold over for the belt keeper and buckle? Also, any good sources for buckles outside of Tandy are greatly appreciated!

My Grandpa, who I was very close to, passed away a little under a year ago. He was an excellent leather craftsmen on top of being an outstanding human being and male role model for me. I was the only grand kid who showed interest in his hobby and craft, and as a result of that he left me all of his tools. Unfortunately, some of them were sold in an estate auction (weird long story itself), but I received the majority of the tools. Now that I've moved into a home I have room to organize all the tools and get to work! My plan is to make belts, wallets, guitar straps and guitar amp handles.Unfortunately, I have no idea where to start. My biggest concern is which of these projects to start on first? My assumption would be belts as they seem pretty straight forward. Any guidance on books and youtube channels would be great! Once I am set up I am going to start another thread to keep up with my progress. Thanks to all of you for such a great community! Lots of great information here! Probably the coolest piece of all the tools is my Grandpa's first mallet. Just holding this thing brings back great memories of stamping keychains as a kid in his shop!

"Skiving" is the thinning of a piece of leather. Around the buckle area you want to do this so you get a nice and clean fold over on the buckle, and it's not a big, bulky open space. It also puts way less pressure on the hardware, allowing it to stay secure longer. Does that make sense?