Limited funds / first tools

[Pan5N3]

I'm fairly new to leather work and doing it as a hobby.  I'm slowly upgrading my Amazon tools and looking for recommendation or suggestions about machines or tools to put next on the list.  While I would love to get a good sewing machine, powered skiver or clicker press, funds are limited and those type of machines are more of a 'win the lottery' type dream for me.  But I'm looking to get something to speed up or allow more versatility.  The things I have been building are; notepad covers and bags.  I also have been doing so repairs / restorations for friends.  The latter is my favourite, but I don't think I would even be able to recoup costs, so only family and friends. Oh, and I won favour with my wife by making her a dozen roses for mother's day. 

So, just wondering what folks think would be a good next step.  I know that options are endless but thought I would ask what people found to be a good option that didn't break the bank. Also, are there things that I should avoid?  I've been considering a manual splitter, hand presses, a manual skiver and pretty much anything else.  I won't be in a position to start selling stuff for a while but would like to start building an inventory so that I can eventually hit a couple of craft fairs.

Put another way, this is almost the opposite of the dream machine post 

Any suggestions would be apprecaited.

[DieselTech]

I will recommend this manual leather skiver if you are working with veg-tan leather. 

I know it's China made, but this is a good manual skiver for the money. It works great. It is the same one that tandy, buckleguy, & a few other companies sell, but at 1/2 to a third of the price. 

The blade will need to be touched up if you decide to get it. 

[TonyV]

I would rather to look at Ebay and local classified ads, yard sales, estate sales and flea markets to find high quality used tools, rather than the cheap Chinese stuff from Amazon.   I already made the Amazon Chinese tool mistake and I'm slowly replacing those.  Yes, you can find some quality tools on Amazon, but they won't cost any less than dealing with the source retailers.  I prefer the local route, so that I can handle and evaluate the tool before I buy.  I recently bought a vintage swivel knife at a yard sale for $3 that is much smoother than my Tandy kit knife.

 

[AlZilla]

I think it's really a question of which tools you're finding lacking in your own work.

For me, I'm finding my one, small inexpensive edge beveler lacking, so that's one thing I'm looking to upgrade.

I also find myself cutting a number of straps, so I'm half heartedly wondering if I should look beyond the wooden strap cutter and my Jerry's Stripper.

Edited 3 hours ago by AlZilla

[DieselTech]

16 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

I think it's really a question of which tools you're finding lacking in your own work.

For me, I'm finding my one, small inexpensive edge beveler lacking, so that's one thing I'm looking to upgrade.

I also find myself cutting a number of straps, so I'm half heartedly wondering if I should look beyond the wooden strap cutter and my Jerry's Stripper.

You might check my thread on the Tandy Pro Manual strap cutter. It's a nice machine. You can cut up to 7 straps at one time, depending on width. It cuts 14-16oz saddle skirting like butter. 

[AlZilla]

1 hour ago, DieselTech said:

You might check my thread on the Tandy Pro Manual strap cutter. It's a nice machine. You can cut up to 7 straps at one time, depending on width. It cuts

Oh, I've been watching ...  Kind of spendy, but it's a nice piece of equipment.