Pet peeves - Ugh!

[tsunkasapa]

I can't say that any of those have ever caused me a moment of grief. Maybe it's just me, but none of those are a problem.

[fredk]

Its not a problem, its an annoyance

[Cattleman]

A pet peeve of mine... In other makers work, when they make a beautiful pancake sheath or holster... But they dont slick the edges inside the belt slots!!!!!!

[billybopp]

15 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

This was a kit for a change purse they were discontinuing, so I think they didn't care anymore. I also had trouble getting the holes to line up, which is probably why I haven't done the other kit I bought. I did notice the problem with the dome, though.

I haven't had too many problems with Tandy kits. The leather sometimes isn't the best quality, and they punch REALLY large holes in the projects. You won't like the holes if you're planning to sew, BUT if you're lacing, your poor, blistered fingers will sometimes wish the holes were even bigger! 

When I started doing leather stuff, I bought some Tandy kits.  It was good to get a feel for how to put things together.  Since then, I've bought others but the first thing I do with them is to make a pattern from them!  I put the kit together to learn where the "sticking points" are in assembly and other details, and also use them to try out my first thoughts on decorating and colors.  They generally come out OK, but what follows is usually much nicer when I use the templates to cut out my own version, use proper chisels to make sewing holes, and any other changes!

The kits they sell tend to be attractive, nicely proportioned, solid designs that are then buggered up with huge stitching holes, the simplest possible way to attach hardware, etc.  There are a lot of relatively simple improvements to be made by anybody with some experience under their belt.

- Bill

[SUP]

@billybopp yes many of the Tandy patterns are nice. Never bought a kit yet because I'm too busy drooling over leather sides and can never resist buying them and then have to use them! At lease willy-nilly I learnt to cut and design. 

The large stitching holes -  I suspect because the kits are usually bought by new hobbyists or people who do leatherwork only occasionally, it makes stitching easier and doesn't scare them away. Many sellers do that, even on Etsy. A pet peeve of mine as well! 

 

Edited February 10, 2024 by SUP

[Sheilajeanne]

Billybop, exactly what I do, too! I think their kits are overpriced, and I can make the same item much cheaper if I make a pattern and cut the leather myself. I really dislike the amount of lacing needed for some of Tandy's kits, so then I can stitch rather than lace, if I choose to. I use the cardboard from old cereal boxes to make my patterns. Being somewhat skilled with drawing, I also often put my own choice of decoration  on the item. 

Edited February 10, 2024 by Sheilajeanne

[SUP]

@Sheilajeanne  I have a pattern from Tandy - a bag displayed in a far-off corner since the 1970s, and gathering a huge layer of dust - they kindly (and looking perplexed - they don't understand why I like it, I don't understand why they don't!) took it down  and let me measure it - I plan to modify the design and make it; it has some nice design features. We don't eat cereal at home, so I bought that huge roll of cardboard stiffener from from Tandy - very inexpensive - and am using that. Difficult to cut but it will probably last well. Plan to design it with Inkscape as well. It is free and my anti-virus is fine with it..  I like your idea of putting one's own decorations - not sure I am very skilled there but I can always try, I guess. 

Edited February 10, 2024 by SUP

[jrdunn]

@SUP, Since you live in a "cereal free zone", I might recommend "railroad board" poster board.  I got mine from Amazon.  Works good for patterns.  JM2C,  Jim

[SUP]

Thank you for that suggestion. @jrdunn I'll try that once I run out of the cardboard stiffener I got from Tandy.  It's a huge roll.

[Hags]

19 hours ago, Cattleman said:

A pet peeve of mine... In other makers work, when they make a beautiful pancake sheath or holster... But they dont slick the edges inside the belt slots!!!!!!

I agree! I had a local wood turner make me a burnisher and had him include a pointed end that I could do belt slots with.