a "shopping list" for the neophytes

[pete]

I'm so impressed with the new interest and talent that many of these new members have. What I would give to have had a place like this 20+ years ago when I started to get serious. There wasn't even a Tandy close by let alone an internet to swap information and pictures.

What do you all think about a "shopping list" for the neophytes joining us regarding the things that we have bought in the past that flat -

didn't work

you never used

was worthless

can't live without

found a better substitute

didn't work as advertised

must have

etc etc etc...

Maybe we could add to it as we did with the poll on

what I have learned about leatherworking

thoughts?

pete

ps- I'll start the thread

The roller swivel knife sharpener is real handy when starting out. Perfect angle each time

the plastic circle edge burnishing tool is worthless.

[esantoro]

You've got to get a dremel. I was surprised I had heard of these only recently, and yet they've been around for years.

[Johanna]

The "ultimate workshop" kit Tandy sells is a good value for someone starting out. Everything but the rotary hole punch is useful.

Johanna

[Michael Sheldon]

If you're going to stamp/tool leather, a large, thick stone slab is essential. My personal opinion is that 2" thick is best. I struggled for a while to get good clean impressions. I finally bought a slab, and my work improved dramatically.

[esantoro]

600 grit and 400 grit wet/dry sand paper. Even if you don't know much about sharpening tools, you can give your knives and edgers the once over with these fine grit papers and see a big difference. This alone has been motivation for me to learn more about sharpening tools.

[esantoro]

I don't know how I had worked so long without a hobby vise.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-51874-BENCHT...1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Dremel-2500-Multi-...ksid=p1638.m118

[Regis]

Pete,

Good idea but, not sure how we can make it an easily accessable reference for new folk. I'll start entering

didn't work - old cheap leather(seems like bargin); pull type skiver

you never used - Skiving knife (Hurst video); Manul sewing "unit" needle/thread/awl in one

was worthless - Rotary punch from TLF

can't live without - individual hole punches; very sharp angle or filigree blade on swivel knife; modeling tool; optivisor;

found a better substitute - heavier mallet

didn't work as advertised - black eco-dye

must have - propetal; cutting matt; stable/heavy/marble tooling base

- I would buy very minimal tools and add only when I could not do some necessary task.

- Would buy better quality tool when convinced you will use it a lot.

- Buy best leather within your budget from reputable source that offers full refund if not satisfied.

- Don't just buy leather, have a purpose and ask for weight & type reccomendations

[esantoro]

Do not buy the Super Skiver from Tandy--Does not work.

[esantoro]

Pete,

Good idea but, not sure how we can make it an easily accessable reference for new folk. I'll start entering

didn't work - old cheap leather(seems like bargin); pull type skiver

you never used - Skiving knife (Hurst video); Manul sewing "unit" needle/thread/awl in one

was worthless - Rotary punch from TLF

can't live without - individual hole punches; very sharp angle or filigree blade on swivel knife; modeling tool; optivisor;

found a better substitute - heavier mallet

didn't work as advertised - black eco-dye

must have - propetal; cutting matt; stable/heavy/marble tooling base

- I would buy very minimal tools and add only when I could not do some necessary task.

- Would buy better quality tool when convinced you will use it a lot.

- Buy leather from

I second the dissatisfaction with the TLF Pro Rotary punch. The tubes do not center on the cutting anvil. I like the idea of individual punches, though not sure I want to keep track of them all. Perhaps the osborne rotary punch is better.

[Art]

However, do buy the 3001-00 Safety Beveler, Half the price, 4 times the usability and takes the same blades as the "Super" Skiver.

Art

Do not buy the Super Skiver from Tandy--Does not work.

[Regis]

However, do buy the 3001-00 Safety Beveler, Half the price, 4 times the usability and takes the same blades as the "Super" Skiver.

Art

Agree - Safety Beveler good and Super Skiver poor.

Regis

[Luke Hatley]

HEY PETE........MAKE A ROAD TRIP TO MEMPHIS AND WE WILL

MAKE A VISIT TO THE TANDY STORE.......I LOVE HELPING FOLKS SPEND THEIR

$$$$$$ AND I PROMISS YOU WILL ONLY BUY WHAT YOU NEED....

[pete]

hey- you're a funny guy!

I'm one of those who has collected a lot of junk over 20 years and want to stop others before they hurt themselves!

I just put 25 tools in the local paper- $4.00 each or all 25 for 50 bucks.

They sold in 2 hours to the same woman!

I bought 1 new basketstamp with it

I WILL look you up in Memphis though- I'de love to se your set-up

pax

pea-aire'

[moriver]

Best deal I ever found, a rejected granite countertop, rejected for a bad color spot in one corner. it's 2 feet by 5 feet, 1 inch thick, made the best worktop I have ever found. I tool on it, set rivets, skive, dye,etc. It cleans up with soap and water, hasn't chipped, gives you a nice hard sharp edge to shape things on...

The best part was I traded a day planner for it.

[moriver]

The super skiver works pretty well if you place a dull blade backwards between the good blade and the frame. It caused the blade to set out enough from the tool that it really cuts into the leather well. I've used them this way for several years and I would hate to not have it on the bench. It's great for forming a ground seat in a saddle.

I also use a flexible ruler that I bought at staples. You can shape it and it holds the shape. Great for repetative tracing or transferring the shape of something to a pattern. Such as a template for a saddle tree to fit a specific horse.

Used stirrup leathers make great strops.