Chakotay

I'll go against the grain and say my lasers have become my most used and indispensable machines; even more so than my sewing machine! I do most of my cutting on them. I can create, modify, and tweak my patterns quicker and more accurately. I now also incorporate the stitch holes into my patterns. Makes saddle stitching a breeze.

Sounds just like my Class 26. Guess that's just the way they sound.

This. Though I often stamp the entire front and back as well ... just depends. Especially if the holster is a "Mexican-loop" style with a skirt (one I make frequently), there's really no reason to stamp the back side. It's literally never going to be seen.

I'm definitely in the minority here. I only use water-based contact cements like Aquilim 315 and EcoWeld. I find them much easier to work with and plenty strong enough . . . though I'm using them to glue items that eventually get stitched anyway. The high-VOC glues quickly give me headaches, and I don't like their 'stringiness". Once you get to finishing your edges, rub them with a rubber cement eraser, sanding belt cleaner, or even a piece of denim. It will catch all the tiny gummed-up fibers and make your edges smoother.

Etsy is my go-to for leather patterns. If you have a bit more to spend and don't mind the wait, there's Babylon Leather. It's an overseas outfit that sells physical patterns in either acrylic or cardboard. Huge selection of bag/satchel patterns and I've purchased several times from them.

It's great for applying dyes and oil.

good to know.

Isn't everything ultimately made in China? I've bought loads of tools, including a full set of piping feet for my Class 26 from Amazon. All made overseas. Works just fine. In many (most) cases, you don't have a choice.

I've only had experience with LightBurn to run the machine. But as Bert03241 mentioned, I don't actually do any design in LightBurn. I create the design in Adobe Illustrator and import into LB just to position and choose power/speed/pass settings. As someone else said, Inkscape is another vector program that's a free download. As always, Youtube is your friend on all of these.

You'll eventually want the ability to actually CUT your leather pieces out, not just engrave. Not sure if the Laser Pecker will do that (someone else can chime in). For around that price level, there's a whole host of open-gantry style diode lasers that will cut and engrave on Amazon. I have direct experience with the Creality Falcon 10W. It's a good machine for what you're wanting.

check out about 13 mins in . . .

Sold!

Selling an almost-new TandyPro Strap Edge Beveler. Used once. comes complete with the box. $200

If you buy a generic one of these machines, this video may be helpful. It absolutely works . . . but there is a learning curve. https://youtu.be/pG8j8ql2oIw

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