What Tools Do I Need

[28ist]

I'm a complete leather hobbyist. All of my projects have been stuff I've made for personal use (small bags, shell pouches, ect). Everything I've done has been hand stitched. Last night I started thinking about using lacing on my next project. Problem is I have no idea what I need to get started. As a hand stitcher I know at minimum I need thread, needles, and an awl.

Can someone point me in the right direction as to what tools and/or materials I need to get started. Also, does someone have a good basic info source on lacing such as a book or dvd?

[Cyberthrasher]

Pages 96 - 102 here cover quite a bit of lacing. http://kingsmerecrafts.com/page96.html

I like to use a hole punch for lacing that has to be structurally secure and will take a lot of abuse. Things that aren't that abused or just decorative, I like a straight angled slit (the slit will tear under stress).

Tandy also has several good lacing guides available at their online leather library.

[28ist]

Cyberthrasher...thank you much for the link. Great info that I was looking for.

[St8LineGunsmith]

Cyberthrasher beat me to it

I would suggest getting a 4 in one hole punch and some lacing chissels

I would recomend straight and angled 8 into one and a single for rounding corners

and a single and 4 into 1 diamond chisel

you will need some lacing needles and lace

if you use leather lace dont pull it too tight because it will snap it is best to condition leather lace before using

kangaroo is good stuff and dont break nearly as easy but nothing beats the looks of leather lacing to crown off a project.

especially a nice double loop.

if you buy on line springfield has better pricing on their tools.

i usually buy from my local tandy leather factory to help the local economy out and i usually get better deals by shopping locally.

Edited October 17, 2012 by St8LineGunsmith

[28ist]

Str8line...thanks for the recommendations. Once a month or so I'm on the road to/from St. Louis and I usually buy all of my stuff from Springfield Leather. Next time I'm going through I'll pick some stuff up and see how it goes. Thanks again for the reply.

[Cyberthrasher]

Str8line...thanks for the recommendations. Once a month or so I'm on the road to/from St. Louis and I usually buy all of my stuff from Springfield Leather. Next time I'm going through I'll pick some stuff up and see how it goes. Thanks again for the reply.

Well, if that's the case, mention what you want to do and they'll be more than happy to get you steered in the right direction as well.