Is The Leather I Am Using, Right?

[Natalie O]

Hello everyone,

I ve started leather crafting not long ago, watched a lot of videos and read a few books. However there is still something that is puzzling me. Since i live in Greece the things i can find about leather are a bit limited. I have explained to my leather supplier the kind of leather i need (veg tan tooling leather). He looked kind of confused so i just explained what i wanted it for (im guessing there aren't a lot of people here that tool their leather over here). Anyway, even though my leather looks like it is supposed to (compared to videos and pictures on the web) i have the impression that it is too hard. In all the videos i ve watched, the tooling looks like it doesnt take too much effort. The stamp just imprints perfectly on the leather without a lot of hammering and therefore, noise. In my case even though i make sure i crease my leather right, i really have to hammer my tools like 4-5 times to get a decent print. Not to mention the noise! My neighbors are starting to complain and now i need to find a place outside my house to do my leather work.Is that normal? Or do i just have the wrong leather?

(I also tried some neatsfoot oil to try to make the leather softer. Results still the same. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Natalie O]

Also could it be the thickness of the leather? Is there like an average thickness that works best for tooling?

[mikesmith648]

Can you post a picture of the leather in question? Include the edge in the pic. Are you "casing" the leather? It needs this moisture to soften it and allow for easier tooling. Hope this helps

Mike

[immiketoo]

Hey Natalie,

It shouldn't take that much effort so to clarify, are you wetting the leather prior to tooling? Wetting or casing the leather may be your issue. I also have an issue with noise while tooling and I found that a 3 inch thick piece of granite makes an incredible difference in tooling noise. I went from something about 2 1/4 inches to three and the three is much denser. You might try that to reduce the sound. Also, a rubber mat between your table and your tooling surface helps. Adding mass to your surface, table etc will all reduce perceived noise.

Good luck.

[Natalie O]

Hello, and thanks for your reply. I m going to upload some pictures of it right away.

Hey Natalie,

It shouldn't take that much effort so to clarify, are you wetting the leather prior to tooling? Wetting or casing the leather may be your issue. I also have an issue with noise while tooling and I found that a 3 inch thick piece of granite makes an incredible difference in tooling noise. I went from something about 2 1/4 inches to three and the three is much denser. You might try that to reduce the sound. Also, a rubber mat between your table and your tooling surface helps. Adding mass to your surface, table etc will all reduce perceived noise.

Good luck.

You see i did that. All of it. i have a rubber mat over my working surface. and on top of that a plastic cutting board. I wet my leather prior to tooling. Could it be the thickness?

[mikesmith648]

The plastic on top will amplify the noise, pound directly on top of the granite. The thickness might have something to do with it but it could also be the type of leather. Might look up "casing leather" post to help understand the casing technique.

I use a folded towel under my granite to dampen noise.......between that and my guns, the neighbors don't complain much!

[Natalie O]

Can you post a picture of the leather in question? Include the edge in the pic. Are you "casing" the leather? It needs this moisture to soften it and allow for easier tooling. Hope this helps

Mike

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How do i upload pictures here? i am a bit lost

[Natalie O]

The plastic on top will amplify the noise, pound directly on top of the granite. The thickness might have something to do with it but it could also be the type of leather. Might look up "casing leather" post to help understand the casing technique.

I use a folded towel under my granite to dampen noise.......between that and my guns, the neighbors don't complain much!

How do i upload a picture here? i cant seem to find a way....

[mikesmith648]

Let me see if I can do a pic of a recent project and I will try to explain it

In the bottom right of the reply area, there is a tab with "more reply options" click on that and then click "add file" and it will allow you to post a picture

[JLSleather]

Did she say she has plastic and rubber on TOP of the rock?

Throw the plastic off to the side, put the rubber UNDER the rock, should be easier tooling AND quiet times.

Steppin' out the way now ...