Brand New

[gtrscarz]

Hey

I'm brand new to Leather Crafting. I have a friend who does amazing work who inspired me to get into it. I've been an artist using many mediums my whole life so I wanted to give this a try not only for the love it, but also to start a small shop. Maybe start with guitar straps and cuffs. Just looking for any advice for start up kits, tools, shop gear, leather, etc. from anyone involved. Looking forward to getting started. Thanks in advance.

Mike

[David8386]

Welcome to the forum Mike. First thing would be to get a couple of books at a Tandy or online. But there's a leather work manual that walks you through the basics. Any of the Stohlman books on stitching, cases, carving, etc are worth having and keeping. There is one on leather working tools and how to sharpen them. Buying tools is a split issue some say buy a starter kit, some say buy the best you can afford and just get the ones you need. There is a difference in tool quality most of my tools are from Tandy and while I am happy with some of them I just started getting some Barry King tools and they are worth the difference in price. If you have a friend who is into leatherwork see what he has and go from there. There are a bunch of great tutorials here on the forum also so watch them too. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions.

David

[gtrscarz]

Dave

Hey, thanks for the info. I've done a bunch of research and settled on ordering a start-up kit from Tandy today. I"m sure I'll want to order more tools as I get to learn more, but at least this will get me started. My friend, who is amazing, is more of a long distance friend in NYC and he likes to keep his craft skills a secret. I'm sure he'll warm up eventually. Great guy either way. Anyway, I have a ton of questions...but I'll just hit you with a couple to start.

1- When doing designs...cuffs for example...are you always using a stencil to trace? If so, where is the best resource to get stencils?

2- With stitching...is it always hand stitched, or do some use machines. I saw some smaller designs that had tiny running stitches that looked like they had to be stitched using a sewing machine.

3- One last question (today anyway)...as far as the leather...for doing cuffs and guitar straps to start, what would you recommend and how many pieces can you get out of one hide?

My questions may seem basic, but I'm just learning so please bare with me. Unfortunately and fortunately I have a lot of time to devote to the craft so I'm looking forward to getting started.

Thanks in advance for any info shared.

Mike

[dragonspit]

Mike, I also have done a lot of artwork in my past with lots of different mediums and such. There is an element Im not seeing here when you talk about the shop. You may have a lot of the abilities learned to draw, cut, stamp, and create some nice pieces, but what you have to remember is that all that, has to get put onto something viable, usable, like the cuffs you mention. This all takes assy skills that may or may not be something you had in the past. What I have found is that t his assy work, and whatever product(s) you decide you want to sell out of your shop, is every bit as important as how pretty the art is, or design of the piece. This will take practice. albeight, some fast than others just dependant on their aptitude. I have seen a pile of folks close businesses here, that knew what the heck they were doing. so just be careful and plan it out some. not trying to be a nay sayer, I think if you love it and can do it, you should and Im assuming your talking down the line a ways as far as a shop. but get some serious skill down before considering committing to a shop or over spending on gear.

[gtrscarz]

dragon-

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take all I can get both positive and negative. Just to be clear, when I say 'shop'...it's basically my home office converted into a small leather working area. I unfortunately have been unemployed from a long job doing graphic design...So I have plenty of time but little $$ to invest into developing my skills. I got the basic set up and I'm sure I'll add tools as I learn. I don't plan on doing anything with it until I (and others) feel my work is respectable, well crafted and original. I can say that I'm hoping I'll have a love for it based on what I know, but I'm sure it will be a learning curve from what I"m use to.

I appreciate the response and comments.

thanks

Mike

[HelluvaEngineer]

Dave

Hey, thanks for the info. I've done a bunch of research and settled on ordering a start-up kit from Tandy today. I"m sure I'll want to order more tools as I get to learn more, but at least this will get me started. My friend, who is amazing, is more of a long distance friend in NYC and he likes to keep his craft skills a secret. I'm sure he'll warm up eventually. Great guy either way. Anyway, I have a ton of questions...but I'll just hit you with a couple to start.

1- When doing designs...cuffs for example...are you always using a stencil to trace? If so, where is the best resource to get stencils?

2- With stitching...is it always hand stitched, or do some use machines. I saw some smaller designs that had tiny running stitches that looked like they had to be stitched using a sewing machine.

3- One last question (today anyway)...as far as the leather...for doing cuffs and guitar straps to start, what would you recommend and how many pieces can you get out of one hide?

My questions may seem basic, but I'm just learning so please bare with me. Unfortunately and fortunately I have a lot of time to devote to the craft so I'm looking forward to getting started.

Thanks in advance for any info shared.

Mike

Hey Mike,

I have only been doing this for a few months myself, but I will see if I can help you with your batch of questions.

1. I do not use any actual stencils. Once you draw out your design on a piece of paper (or you could use posterboard for something thicker), just cut it out and very carefully trace around it. The things I have made always end up with beveled edges, so your tracing marks will not end up on your final product. If you have a hole somewhere in the middle that is on your template, just use a push pin and make a small hole to mark where the larger hole will be.

2. Depends on your budget. I only Hand-Stitch, I just use larger spacing (5 or 6 stitches per inch). I have seen people on here though that can hand stitch many more stitches per inch than that. Just takes practice.

3. To start, I would reccomend getting some scrap tooling leather. I know Springfield Leather has a good deal on remnants, or your local Tandy store will have a bin you can look through. Especially if you are looking at smaller projects, that would be the way to go. Pieces per hide will vary based on what you are making, just figure out the square footage needed for your project and you will see how many pieces you will get out of an "X" SqFt hide.

My other advice would be to search through these forums and read everything related to what you are looking to make. That is what I have been doing and it has really helped me figure things out.

Good Luck!

- Michael