chazrull Report post Posted July 23, 2012 Not sure if this is the right place to post this but.... I was looking at the bag of leather scraps sold in HobbyLobby, thinking I could use them for practice. Most of the leather looks like it bonded to some kind of blue foam rubber core. Anybody know what this stuff is? I don't think it is something I could practice tooling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glendon Report post Posted July 23, 2012 Is the blue in the center or actually on the bottom of the leather? A lot of cheaply dyed chrome tanned leather has a blue core because the the dye didn't penetrate too deep. So you can still see the "wet blue" from the beginning of the tanning process. If it has a blue core, it's most likely not veg tanned, and therefore not toolable. I'm guessing they sell this as "craft" leather or something similar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chazrull Report post Posted July 23, 2012 It looks like 2 thin outer layers of leather,with a medium blue core. The outer leather layer are varying colors on different pieces, tan, maroon, black. I think it's probably junk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glendon Report post Posted July 23, 2012 Yep, that's chrome tanned, and a crappy run at that. HobbyLobby likely sells it for scrapbooking, making ornaments, and stuff like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted July 23, 2012 I have a Hobby Lobby here, and I know what you are speaking of--don't buy that stuff. It's not very good chrome tanned leather and it bleeds dye pretty easily. It can't be tooled, and it tends to have weak spots too. If you want practice tooling scrap, just about any leather supply will sell veg tanned tooling leather by the pound. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CountryStyle Report post Posted July 26, 2012 Yeah the problem is, we live in Northwest Arkansas! No supply places close. Springfield leather is about 2.5 hours away, someday I'll make the trip up there... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted July 27, 2012 Just call Springfield leather up and talk to them about your wants and needs. They're great folks and can give you suggestions on what they can sell you that will suit your needs, and will happily ship it. I found their shipping to be pretty reasonable too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
