New To Leather. Questions On Tools

[dpixel8]

Fantastic forum you have here. Was pointed this way by a few fellow leatherworkers who have given me a little info. I would like to know the basic tools I need to get started. I put together a list of what I THINK I needed on Tandy, and it came out to about $300 with a few pieces of leather. But I'm just not sure, so I wanted to ask the pros. The work I'd like to do SEEMS fairly simple and easy to get started in. I don't want to really do any stamping/branding. I'm more into modernish styles in my life, so I'd like to just start out at least, with some stuff like these examples. I'm a big watch collector too, and I really like this guy's work (I actually know him, which is why I'm posting his work. He's too busy to really give me TOO much advice and I don't want to bother him) Any guidance you could give me would be GREATLY appreciated.

Here we go:

Edited July 25, 2012 by dpixel8

[Northmount]

Welcome to this great addiction.

If you post your list, I think people will reply with comments adding or subtracting items from the list. Else there are some lists of tools suggested for various types of work already posted here. Try a few searches to see if you can find them.

CTG

[dpixel8]

Appreciate that, northmount. I did do a search, however I'm not really sure what kind of leatherwork that I'm looking at here (watch straps and simple money clips/wallets). Is it "non-tooling"?

Also I watched this gentleman's video and it SEEMS as though I had most of these tools in my cart. However I want to make sure that 1) I am not missing something and 2) maybe I have stuff in there that I DON'T need. For instance, I'm not really sure what size bevelers I am going to need. Or which finishing "materials".

Here's my list:

Waxed Thread 25 yds. (22.9 m) Natural

Tandy Pure Neatsfoot Oil Quart

Fiebing's Acrylic Resolene 4 oz

Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement 8 oz.

Eco-Flo Gum Tragacanth 4 oz.

Eco-Flo Leather Dye Assortment Pack

Replacement Blades 10/pk

Mini Leather Punch Set

Super Skiver

Craftool Oblong Punch 3/4" (1.9 cm)

Protecto Board 12" x 12"

Craftool E-Z Adjust Stitching Groover

Craftool Edge Beveler Sz 2

Craftool Edge Beveler Sz 4

Craftool Overstitch Wheel System

Multi-Size Wood Slicker

Tooling Leather Remnants

Economy Single Shoulder 4-5 oz

[Chief31794]

Appreciate that, northmount. I did do a search, however I'm not really sure what kind of leatherwork that I'm looking at here (watch straps and simple money clips/wallets). Is it "non-tooling"?

Also I watched this gentleman's video and it SEEMS as though I had most of these tools in my cart. However I want to make sure that 1) I am not missing something and 2) maybe I have stuff in there that I DON'T need. For instance, I'm not really sure what size bevelers I am going to need. Or which finishing "materials".

Here's my list:

Waxed Thread 25 yds. (22.9 m) Natural

Tandy Pure Neatsfoot Oil Quart

Fiebing's Acrylic Resolene 4 oz

Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement 8 oz.

Eco-Flo Gum Tragacanth 4 oz.

Eco-Flo Leather Dye Assortment Pack

Replacement Blades 10/pk

Mini Leather Punch Set

Super Skiver

Craftool Oblong Punch 3/4" (1.9 cm)

Protecto Board 12" x 12"

Craftool E-Z Adjust Stitching Groover

Craftool Edge Beveler Sz 2

Craftool Edge Beveler Sz 4

Craftool Overstitch Wheel System

Multi-Size Wood Slicker

Tooling Leather Remnants

Economy Single Shoulder 4-5 oz

Couple of suggestions:

I would opt for the safety beveler as opposed to the Super Skiver, the super skiver is a nasty tool that is hard to control, while it works the safety beveler is a lot cheaper and works better to do the same job.

Didn't see any stitch awls or needles. If you're going to hand stitch you will need needles and either a stitch awl (difficult to use and the preferred method for hand stitch purists, or a couple of stitching chisels for creating diamond shapes stitch holes at the proper spacing.)

I didn't see a marble or granite slab, I would buy the largest one I could afford and buy the poundo board the same size so that it supports the slab.

Last note: You might want to start with a 4oz bottle of neatsfoot oil, you use it very sparingly and a little goes a very long way.

Welcome aboard,

Ken

Edited July 25, 2012 by Chief31794

[dpixel8]

Couple of suggestions:

I would opt for the safety beveler as opposed to the Super Skiver, the super skiver is a nasty tool that is hard to control, while it works the safety beveler is a lot cheaper and works better to do the same job.

Didn't see any stitch awls or needles. If you're going to hand stitch you will need needles and either a stitch awl (difficult to use and the preferred method for hand stitch purists, or a couple of stitching chisels for creating diamond shapes stitch holes at the proper spacing.)

I didn't see a marble or granite slab, I would buy the largest one I could afford and buy the poundo board the same size so that it supports the slab.

Last note: You might want to start with a 4oz bottle of neatsfoot oil, you use it very sparingly and a little goes a very long way.

Welcome aboard,

Ken

Ken,

Thank you!! (my wife will thank you too when she sees I've saved some money...)

I was looking at a more traditional beveler like the safety, and wasn't sure how difficult they are to use. But MUCH less expensive, so I'll give it a shot. Also forgot to put needles and stitch awl, as I wasn't sure sizes or which awl to use. And I DO want to use the manual awl. I plan to use a wheel for marking, and then will punch holes by hand. I think it looks much more handmade, rather than using the diagonal-style punches.

I didn't see anywhere a granite/marble slab. Can I just use any? And what is it for exactly? Just to support the poundo board rather than my workbench? Sorry if that's a dumb question...

You guys are really helping me out a lot! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

[Chief31794]

Ken,

Thank you!! (my wife will thank you too when she sees I've saved some money...)

I was looking at a more traditional beveler like the safety, and wasn't sure how difficult they are to use. But MUCH less expensive, so I'll give it a shot. Also forgot to put needles and stitch awl, as I wasn't sure sizes or which awl to use. And I DO want to use the manual awl. I plan to use a wheel for marking, and then will punch holes by hand. I think it looks much more handmade, rather than using the diagonal-style punches.

I didn't see anywhere a granite/marble slab. Can I just use any? And what is it for exactly? Just to support the poundo board rather than my workbench? Sorry if that's a dumb question...

You guys are really helping me out a lot! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Tandy sells granite slabs in several sizes. They are used for tooling, setting snaps, setting rivets, etc. The poundo board cushions the slab and reduces noise it more or less supports the granite slab. You can find them on Tandy at: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/site+search+results.aspx?sectionpath=3&processor=content&p_keyword=granite

The safety beveler (it's actually a skiver) is a great tool for skiving straps for belts, watch bands, etc. Does the same job as the super skiver. Practice with it, it's easy to use.

Ken

Edited July 25, 2012 by Chief31794

[dpixel8]

Tandy sells granite slabs in several sizes. They are used for tooling, setting snaps, setting rivets, etc. The poundo board cushions the slab and reduces noise it more or less supports the granite slab. You can find them on Tandy at: http://www.tandyleat...keyword=granite

The safety beveler (it's actually a skiver) is a great tool for skiving straps for belts, watch bands, etc. Does the same job as the super skiver. Practice with it, it's easy to use.

Ken

you rock man. Thank you so much.

And this is something sort of what I would like to make too. Seems not TOO difficult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbvplFLjDmM&feature=plcp

[shtoink]

I would like to add that if you already have a Dremel tool, the sanding drums that come with it work very well for skiving, too. Especially if you are trying to get paper thin in some places. The downside is it that it creates a ton of fleshy dust. They aren't ideal for big jobs, but can hold you over on small projects until your next allowance day.

Also, don't forget to look around for places that do granite/marble counter tops or headstones for super cheap to free off cuts and scraps.

[Glendon]

I would drop the contact cement and get rubber cement. Contact cement is permanent. Rubber cement can be removed and adjusted. You want something to hold just long enough to do your sewing.

You only need one edge beveler to start out. If you're doing a larger project, you can always run it over the edge twice to get a larger bevel.

Other then that, your list looks good to start out. Be prepared to be buying rivet / eyelet / grommet setters in the next few months. You can accomplish the same things by sewing, but that gets old pretty fast.

[shtoink]

Be prepared to be buying rivet / eyelet / grommet setters in the next few months. You can accomplish the same things by sewing, but that gets old pretty fast.

Phssshhh... Yeah it does...