AnnaG

That would be great, thank you so much!

Thinking about it, I wonder if some quality watch buckles would be suitable for toy breed dog tack? Hm.

I am honestly, completely lost here. I'm looking for some good quality, not plated (in my experience anything plated will start flaking and going straight off a cliff within a few weeks of regular use), hardware for general things like leashes, collars, maybe handbag straps. If the planets align, such hardware exists in the US. I've been Googling and searching the forums diligently but there's just so many...found several places in the UK but the shipping would eat me alive there. If anyone has the time, I'd greatly appreciate any leads or mentions of favorite hardware houses. I'm also looking for really tiny hardware, like buckles that would fit on a Chihuahua sized dog harness.

I am a beginner leather worker LOOKING TO BUY tools. I need almost everything and figure second hand would be the best place to look first so I can put more money towards leather and hardware :D I am looking for: Stitching awl Scratch awl Skiver Saddler's Groover Edge Beveler Stitching Iron, 6 stitches per inch Stitching Iron or Overstitcher Size 8 (8-9 stitches per inch, fine stitching) Strap End Punches Rivet Setter Grommet / Eyelet Setter(s) Edger Tool Mallet / Maul Hole Punch(s) Oval Punch(s) Dye(s) Saddle / handstitching books or pattern books I would also be interested in leather! I'd like to find some latigo or perhaps harness leather. I am located in the US. Please PM or e-mail me at CheapNightmares@gmail.com with prices. I will update here as I gather tools.

Thanks for the help everyone! Oldhat, I'd like to build stuff that can be used in an outdoor application without worry that it's going to rot or fray, from what I've read a quality linen thread and beeswax will hold up like there's no tomorrow, but the code sounded like it would add an extra level of protection and durability. I'm hesitant to use poly thread because of it's inherit slipperiness, I'm also wanting to hand-stitch, I really enjoy working with my hands. I'm especially wanting to build some harnesses and collars for my hunting dogs. We go through all kinds of damp mud and muck, I clean and condition my leather on the regular but any additional measure of toughness can't hurt. Theoretically, if I decided to use code, I could buy a waxed thread and then just wax it in addition? I'll be ordering some of this thread soon, which was recommended by another forum member: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221455736903?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&var=520324821693&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I also found this seller with Barbour's for what seems like a very good price (considering trying it?): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barbours-Linen-Thread-/281715973986

I dug through my bookmarks and found a little more info on the 'sticky wax' I'm talking about, it's an either Rosin - Beeswax mixture or a Pitch - Rosin - Beeswax mix (less common given the scarceness of pitch these days). It seems to be primarily used by shoemakers. I was curious about this because this mix 'locks' the thread into the hole because the wax melts with the friction of stitching and then cools and resets again. It's also called 'Code'. I thought it might be sensible to incorporate it into regular leatherworking because it seems very durable and holds fast, in addition to the stitch hole made with a diamond awl tightening up around the thread. http://wherearetheelves.net/making-code/ http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=33120 http://aands.org/raisedheels/Techniques/coad.php I have a bit of linen thread and a cake of beeswax leftover from bookbinding and I'm going to sort through my leather scraps and maybe try and make a little something today, practice some stitch technique.

I've been doing a lot of reading gearing up for my first real project and I had just a few newbie questions! First off, I've read about gluing edges of leather and then stitching but I've also read about 'sticky wax' (still browsing recipes for that) and how that 'locks' the stitch into place. Do you do both or just one or the other? I'd like to work with linen and possibly mess with some artificial sinew. Secondly, if I were to sew a soft bag, like a pouch, would using the sticky-wax route for a strong stitch be the best route or would that possibly make the seam too stiff for a soft bag (like a belt pouch sort of thing). Thanks in advance everyone, this forum is just a treasure trove of information, I've been reading for hours :D