What Do I Need To Make Headstalls?

[Valleee]

I'd like to venture into making my own headstalls, if its cost effective. I can't find a good blank tack supplier so I'm going to have to try making my own.

So I'd like some advice form experienced leather workers please!

I need to know what tools I need, and advice on which brand of tools is the best. There are so many options, and I'm on a crazy tight budget, having just started to get my business going.

Any advice will be much appreciated. I'm very eager to learn.

[dirtclod]

At least one side of leather 150.00 to 200.00. Bag punches 3/4 and 7/8 45.00 to 60.00 each. End punches round or english 1/2 in. 5/8 in. 3/4 in. 40.00 to 60.00 each. Draw gauge 25.00 to 100.00. Edgers #2 #3 20.00 to 90.00 each. Hardware 100.00 to 300.00 for buckles, rings and D rings. Lining leather if you line them 50.00 to 120.00 for one side. Maul 50.00 to 100.00. Hand sewing thread 20.00 to 50.00 a spool. Bees wax. Awl haft and blade 20.00 to 100.00. Stitch wheel 10.00 to 30.00. Needles 5.00 a pack of 10. And probley some stuff i have forgot. Oh if you get a sewing machine 1500.00 to 3000.00. thread for the machine 30.00 a spool. And a winning lottery ticket if you buy it all at one time. :-))

Edited March 13, 2013 by dirtclod

[Valleee]

Yikes!! That's a lot of stuff that I have no idea about!

[EquusCustomLeathers]

At least one side of leather 150.00 to 200.00. Bag punches 3/4 and 7/8 45.00 to 60.00 each. End punches round or english 1/2 in. 5/8 in. 3/4 in. 40.00 to 60.00 each. Draw gauge 25.00 to 100.00. Edgers #2 #3 20.00 to 90.00 each. Hardware 100.00 to 300.00 for buckles, rings and D rings. Lining leather if you line them 50.00 to 120.00 for one side. Maul 50.00 to 100.00. Hand sewing thread 20.00 to 50.00 a spool. Bees wax. Awl haft and blade 20.00 to 100.00. Stitch wheel 10.00 to 30.00. Needles 5.00 a pack of 10. And probley some stuff i have forgot. Oh if you get a sewing machine 1500.00 to 3000.00. thread for the machine 30.00 a spool. And a winning lottery ticket if you buy it all at one time. :-))

LOL That sounds about right!

[Valleee]

If I can't find a great supplier, then I may have to start making my own sooner then I had planned :/ hopefully I'll be able to find some used quality tools. I've been searching ebay for stamps.

[Valleee]

What's a good kind and brand of rawhide mallet?

[Valleee]

Is this worth buying?

www.ebay.ca/itm/Pro-Grade-Leather-Shoe-Repair-OSBORNE-Automatic-Awl-T-413-/150924083629?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2323c6c1ad

I bought an Osborne #2 edger and a skiver

[dirtclod]

Your link doesn't work.

[Valleee]

Oh sorry. Its an Osborne automatic awl. I'd like to play around with hand stitching. The costs to start up with leather crafting are astronomical!

As always, I'm open to any and all advice.

[dirtclod]

You don't want that to stitch with. If your going to hand sew you need to use a awl and two needles. The Al Stohlman hand sewingwil show you how to do that if you don't have one Springfield, Tandy or Zack White has them.

You bet it does cost a lot to start. I've been buying tools for 30 plus years and still am. Remember nobody starts with everthing unless they were left the tools.

[Valleee]

I bought a bunch of the al stohlman books inexpensively on ebay, so that'll keep me busy for a while. Then I can start experimenting and I'll be back with a million questions as I go lol.

[Matt S]

Vallee I have a lot less expereince than Dirtclod, but I humbly submit my dissenting opinion.

Many tools can be substituted when starting out. For a crew (bag) slot, punch two round holes and join with two knife cuts. Not as fast or quite as neat, but good round punches are cheaper than junk crew punches. Round and English points easily marked with a pair of dividers and cut with a knife. Ivan edgers at £5 work okay if sharpened. A boxcutter and a scalpel will make many cuts adequately without dropping 300 on a custom head knife. Many professional shops use the £15 wooden strap cutter over the £300 plough gauge if they can get away with it, which most can. Quality tools are the way to go for a professional leatherworker for time savings, quality of result and length of service but not essential for a hobbyist/starter.

In the same vein buying materials in smaller quantities works out more expensive per yard/SQFT/quart etc. but there is less capital investment in something you might not be good at, enjoy, or even choose quite the right stuff initially. You can buy cuts of hides such as a shoulder, butt or back or even pre-cut straps. A 50gram spool of thread is about £3 for me, rather than £15+ for a kilo. Yep, much more expensive per length but I think an acceptable compromise for someone dipping their toe in the water.

For the basics of haltermaking I would say a basic setup would consist: a boxcutter/utility knife, cheap plastic or wood cutting board, a scalpel, a 1-1/2" diamond awl blade and handle, some thread around 18/3 size, some sort of stitch spacer like a cheap overstitch wheel (6SPI seems popular in the US), maybe a stitch groover, 2 harness needles no larger than no2 size (they come in packs of 25 for pocket change), a couple cheap edgers, some scrap denim or canvas, some sort of clamping setup and something with which to sharpen and polish your awl (wet&dry paper works). If you cut your own straps from a larger piece of leather a £15 wooden strap cutter is handy. This is for the basics, there are a lot of 'polishing' techniques and tools to add if you want to sell them for decent money but with these you can learn if it's for you.

Where are you located? Someone here is probably able to recommend a better supplier than Tandy (who peddle a lot of junk among the gems).

[JinxedDream]

A suggestion that was given to me, was to pick a project, and then build up your tools from there. GoodsJapan has many tools, I'm currently waiting on some from them, very reasonable prices. Springfield Leather is another, also has generally good tools at good starting prices.

For awls, I just got a Douglas diamond blade with a Stinger awl haft and I must say, I'm in love. Worth every penny.

You can also get many tools at the hardware store and if you are creative, make your own.

It is costly but no more than other hobbies. Look at what parents drop today for their children to play hockey. Or owning a horse. Or sewing. I have figured out that unlike most things, leathercraft tools do hold their value fairly well so that if you decide this isn't for you, you will get most of your investment back as long as the tools you bought aren't complete junk.

[BearMan]

Thanks,,, I'm glad you like the "Stinger" Awl Handle so much! You are right, the Douglas blade is well worth the money a well.

[Valleee]

Thank you very much, Matt S. and JinxedDream. I appreciate the advice and suggestions.

I bought the al stohlman book about leather tools, so I'll be able to get a better understanding of all the tools you've mentioned and understand what they do. I will definitely be sticking to the basics with supplies. I got over excited and starting spending way too much money. I have a friend that is very creative and will be able to make me some of the tools I need.

I've accepted that it will be a slow learning process, but I am very passionate (obsessed) with this venture lately lol. I decorated a headstall with rim sets and swarovski crystals tonight and it turned out great. I also did a tonne of gluing crystals onto conchos and playing with a 1950's Tandy beginner leather kit that we got for $20 today :D so now I have some cheap stamps and a swivel knife to play with. My work area sure has bloomed into a full out basement shop area lol. Now I'll have to get creative with organizing it.

I live in Canada, and today a friend of mine found a place that will give me their leather remnants instead of tossing them in the garbage. So I'll have some stuff to practice on for free

[JinxedDream]

That sounds ideal. I have yet to find remnant leathers. Planning on spending some money at Springfield soon.

Look up Bruce Cheney online. He's really good for ideas.

And Pinterest... I've made several boards of ideas

[Valleee]

I am assuming this is cheap garbage?

www.ebay.ca/itm/Craft-Sha-Leather-Craft-Kit-Stitching-Wheel-Groover-Spacer-Wax-Needle-Awl-Set-/120947283846?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c29051786

[JinxedDream]

It's goodsjapan and as said, they have good reviews. I'll let you know what I think after I go to my mailbox later today... if I'm not mistaken my stuff just got here and I have the wheel and groover.

Update, got my shipment and very happy with what I got. Definitely worth the money and so far not junk.

Edited March 18, 2013 by JinxedDream

[Valleee]

Ok thanks

[Valleee]

www.ebay.ca/itm/Osborne-144-Stitching-Awl-w-Blade-/370782262287?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item565458540f

Is this a good diamond awl??

[LBennett]

Valleee, Where abouts in Rural MB are you? I'm Rural MB also, but right along the border so order from Springfield to a US ASddress and then pay my duty at the border... find it is more cost effective that way.