Faulty Tool

[Heligan]

Im a bit concerned about what just happened to my background tool, the head snapped off...I was just hitting it with a mallet (not a hammer or anything weird like that) and it was at a slight angle to get into a tricky area. I cant really understand why this would happen unless the item was faulty, even though it has had a lot of use since I bought it a few months ago.

I sent Tandy an email on 6/11/11 but they have yet to respond. So naturally Im wondering if they are really the best folk to be dealing with now...yes I know its only a few days but I feel a response to a faulty item email should be pretty much instant.

So, where do other people buy there tools (Im in Scotland- UK) and does anyone have any idea WHY the head snapped off?

Edited November 8, 2011 by Heligan

[HellfireJack]

I've heard of this happening but have never seen it happen personally.

The heads are brazed on to the handle and the whole thing is plated.

You can try Barry King or Hackbarth tools.

[jforwel]

I accumulated a lot of Tandy tools when I started out but now I'm building a whole new batch of Barry King tools starting with the most used in my projects. Once I saw them at the Sheridan show I was addicted. Not the highest priced but certainly head and shoulders above Tandy.

[Heligan]

Thanks for the replies, Im certainly going to invest in a few tools from both Barry King and Hackbarth.... they just look so nice its hard to resist. Tandy sent me out a replacement (apparently they did try to email me but the emails kept bouncing back- so I got angry for no reason- guilt!).

Weird getting used to a new tool though, even though its an A104 it just doesnt feel the same!

[Logans Leather]

That's the problem with Tandy's tools lately. Lack of consistency. They are great to get started with, but I recommend going into one of their stores and trying out any tool before buying it. Go through every one they have in stock of any particular tool, and only purchase one if you get one that works and feels right to you.

When you're ready to step it up a notch (or several) move up to tools by Barry King, Gomph, Robert Beard, Bob Douglas, Leather Wranglers, or any of several competent, professional makers out there. Lots of information on this site about great tool makers. Research before you spend your hard earned cash

[Ken Nelson]

I just got 2 new thumbprints from Clay Miller this week. Very nice, professional tool at a most reasonable price. Turnaround was excellent too. For the price, quality and service, he is hard to beat. You can find him on this site. Thanks Ken.

[GlenH]

  On 11/9/2011 at 2:15 PM, Heligan said:

Thanks for the replies, Im certainly going to invest in a few tools from both Barry King and Hackbarth.... they just look so nice its hard to resist. Tandy sent me out a replacement (apparently they did try to email me but the emails kept bouncing back- so I got angry for no reason- guilt!).

Weird getting used to a new tool though, even though its an A104 it just doesnt feel the same!

Tandy sells lower quality tools for the beginner. If you bought their seven-tool set, you probably got one. Even in their leathercraft starter sets the tools are not as good as what they sell singly. The A104 that came with my deluxe kit wasn't flat on the bottom; that is, if I held the handle completely perpendicular to the leather, the point would go in deeper, leaving me a tool mark I could never get rid of. Once I discovered that, I tried to bend it with some pliers and it snapped off much as you describe. Since I broke it myself, I didn't figure it was Tandy's place to replace it. So I bought one off the shelf. The difference in quality was amazing.

Glen

[Heligan]

  On 11/13/2011 at 4:12 AM, GlenH said:

Tandy sells lower quality tools for the beginner. If you bought their seven-tool set, you probably got one. Even in their leathercraft starter sets the tools are not as good as what they sell singly. The A104 that came with my deluxe kit wasn't flat on the bottom; that is, if I held the handle completely perpendicular to the leather, the point would go in deeper, leaving me a tool mark I could never get rid of. Once I discovered that, I tried to bend it with some pliers and it snapped off much as you describe. Since I broke it myself, I didn't figure it was Tandy's place to replace it. So I bought one off the shelf. The difference in quality was amazing.

Glen

Hi Glen,

It was the deluxe Kit I bought.... and while I was happy with the backgrounder until it broke I didnt know any better. The replacement they sent me is really really naff though (Im thinking its out of the basic kit)!

Luckily I had ordered an a104-2 and am really liking that, the size is great for celtic patterns and getting into carved leaves etc too- BUT MOSTLY its giving a much nicer impression than I got with the previous tools, makes getting a decent background pattern easier- (so I guess that confirms what you say).... but based on what everyone is saying I think moving on to other suppliers is the way to go.

I have to say I think its very short sighted of Tandy to sell really bad tools, if I had tried out leather carving with the really naff thing they sent as a replacement I would have figured I just couldnt do it and given up on the whole idea! I nearly went for the basic kit too (I think I read something recently in Tandy literature about it having much lower quality tools in it).

Im bidding on stuff on eBay sold by the proleathercarvers folk at the moment, hopefully get some decent tools soon.

Edited November 13, 2011 by Heligan

[GlenH]

  On 11/13/2011 at 2:25 PM, Heligan said:

Hi Glen,

It was the deluxe Kit I bought.... and while I was happy with the backgrounder until it broke I didnt know any better. The replacement they sent me is really really naff though (Im thinking its out of the basic kit)!

Luckily I had ordered an a104-2 and am really liking that, the size is great for celtic patterns and getting into carved leaves etc too- BUT MOSTLY its giving a much nicer impression than I got with the previous tools, makes getting a decent background pattern easier- (so I guess that confirms what you say).... but based on what everyone is saying I think moving on to other suppliers is the way to go.

I have to say I think its very short sighted of Tandy to sell really bad tools, if I had tried out leather carving with the really naff thing they sent as a replacement I would have figured I just couldnt do it and given up on the whole idea! I nearly went for the basic kit too (I think I read something recently in Tandy literature about it having much lower quality tools in it).

Im bidding on stuff on eBay sold by the proleathercarvers folk at the moment, hopefully get some decent tools soon.

I've had to replace the camouflage, the pear shader, and the basketweave in addition to the backgrounder. The shafts on them just started bending. The seeder and veiner have been ok, but I don't use those as much.

Glen

[Heligan]

Blimey, how long had you had them before that happened?