Howdy From A Newbie!

[BrushyHillGuide]

Howdy!

I wanted to introduce my self and warn y'all that there's a RANK newbie lurking around your forum! In fact,I don't even own a single leather working tool. As a craftsman inanother field, though, I know it's better to get advice beforejumping into something 'blind' and buying poor quality tools or toolsyou don't really need. So, I joined y'all in the hope that you'lltake pity on a newbie and help me get started properly!

Here's a little background: Growing uparound a ranch in NW Wyoming, and working as an outfitter and cowboyas a young man, I've always had an interest in leather work andsaddlery. I drifted into a totally different business, though. I leftthe country behind and had a terrific career as a tattooer and artist, becoming very well known for my traditional American and Asian style work. A few years ago I got totally fed up with city life and the politics of the art world and began missing the country life I grew up in. I went into semi-retirement from art, moved to a tiny town here in South Texas and became the ranch manager for Texas' largest bowhunting ranch. I still tattoo and paint but only on select, large projects that interest me. Moving back to the country and my ranch work has re-ignited my interest in leather work. Believe it or not, there's a lot of similarity between the art styles I specialize in and traditional western leather tooling designs. I would like to use leather as a way to bring the two together.

I'm hoping that some of y'all will help me to get started. I know that buying quality tools up front can make the learning process easier; but, I also know, that it's possible to over-buy or spend more money than necessary for tools that can't be appreciated until you are a real master of a craft. I'm looking to y'all for help finding that middle ground. Also, I need guidance finding some instructional material - books and, if at all possible, videos that will show me the basics. Once I have acquired some skill at tooling, I would like to buy a sewing machine and begin making chaps, spur straps and similar items; and, ultimately, I would like to attend a saddle making school.

Can I please get some recommendations on leather tooling instructional materials, which tools (brand/maker)to start with and where to buy them?

Thanks for taking the time to read this long intro post and thanks to everyone that tries to help me out!

Nick

P.S. Feel free to email me any of your suggestions.

[TSGLeather]

Howdy!

I wanted to introduce my self and warn y'all that there's a RANK newbie lurking around your forum! In fact,I don't even own a single leather working tool. As a craftsman inanother field, though, I know it's better to get advice beforejumping into something 'blind' and buying poor quality tools or toolsyou don't really need. So, I joined y'all in the hope that you'lltake pity on a newbie and help me get started properly!

Here's a little background: Growing uparound a ranch in NW Wyoming, and working as an outfitter and cowboyas a young man, I've always had an interest in leather work andsaddlery. I drifted into a totally different business, though. I leftthe country behind and had a terrific career as a tattooer and artist, becoming very well known for my traditional American and Asian style work. A few years ago I got totally fed up with city life and the politics of the art world and began missing the country life I grew up in. I went into semi-retirement from art, moved to a tiny town here in South Texas and became the ranch manager for Texas' largest bowhunting ranch. I still tattoo and paint but only on select, large projects that interest me. Moving back to the country and my ranch work has re-ignited my interest in leather work. Believe it or not, there's a lot of similarity between the art styles I specialize in and traditional western leather tooling designs. I would like to use leather as a way to bring the two together.

I'm hoping that some of y'all will help me to get started. I know that buying quality tools up front can make the learning process easier; but, I also know, that it's possible to over-buy or spend more money than necessary for tools that can't be appreciated until you are a real master of a craft. I'm looking to y'all for help finding that middle ground. Also, I need guidance finding some instructional material - books and, if at all possible, videos that will show me the basics. Once I have acquired some skill at tooling, I would like to buy a sewing machine and begin making chaps, spur straps and similar items; and, ultimately, I would like to attend a saddle making school.

Can I please get some recommendations on leather tooling instructional materials, which tools (brand/maker)to start with and where to buy them?

Thanks for taking the time to read this long intro post and thanks to everyone that tries to help me out!

Nick

P.S. Feel free to email me any of your suggestions.

Welcome to the network,

As a start, id probably say like most on here would, would be to check out the tandy leather factory nearest you and they can set you up with what you need, they are basically the one stop shop for all your leather needs from tools, leather and know how. Their tools arent the highest quality that is available but they are the worst out there either and are great for a starter to learn. They can advise you as to what you would need to get you started, they have kits with the basic starter set of tools and projects to help you along or you can forgo all that and just get the tools separate and start on your own project, as well as having great staff that can also guide you at how to do things. Also visit the website at tandyleatherfactory.com to see the products list as well as they have free online tutorials and videos to see what you are getting into, id say watch them first to see mostly what you'd be interested in you you can see what tools you'd actually need and which ones you can either forgo or improvise. They also have the new site of leathercraftlibrary.com for more pay and free tutorials, patterns, how to's and other things. To compliment that just surf these forums, check out the how to's, ask questions and hopefully the people on here will be able to help you out and you'll be on your way to making premo leather items. I hope that this helps, and that when you are ready, post up some of the things you are working on. See you around this site,

TSG