I'm An Amateur Leatherworker In Toronto, New To The Forum, Just Saying Hello

[Lolligagger]

Hello, all,

I'm so happy this place exists, and I hope to learn as much as I can from my betters. I've already read many previous posts, and I'm sure my craft will improve with such wonderful people willing to help and share their experiences. I've recently met a local carpenter willing to make a stitching horse for me here in Toronto, so I will post pics of this soon. I was going to make my own (MacGyver style), but I figured I could support a local craftsman and receive a quality piece of functional furniture. I can't wait to start making some larger projects with it and posting them for scrutiny and advice.

Cheers,

Lolligagger

[raysouth]

Welcome lolligagger.

You have found the greatest leatherworking site in the world. At least that is my opinion.

Everyone here is more than willing to lend a hand when needed.

Plenty of good information just by browsing through the forum topics.

If you can't find it here, just ask and if there is an answer, somebody will be eager to assist.

Have fun, make plenty of interesting things, love life and God Bless.

Ray

[David8386]

Welcome to the forum.

David

[Northmount]

Hello from Calgary. You'll find a number of Canadians here too. Welcome

Tom

[WScott]

Hello from the Vancouver area

I can't believe your hockey team is still in the playoffs and mine is out!

This is a great forum to learn from, spending late nights searching and reading threads....then the tool lust begins and the hardcore addiction sets in!

[Lolligagger]

I sure love my Toronto Makemelaughs. I'm glad they made it, but I'm realistic. History has compelled me to love good hockey--Maple Leafs or not--so as to avoid soul crushing disappointment. When you live in Toronto, you have to adapt.

I already have massive tool lust (insert joke here), but I'm learning to love my entry-level ones. The secret to loving your tools is to put little googly eyes on them and pretend they have personalities. This way when they fail you, you can console them like they were errant children.

[EquusCustomLeathers]

Hello from the Barrie area! Nice to see some more neighbors on LW If your carpenter friend is in a building mood, I sure could use a new stitching horse too!

Welcome to the site..it sure will keep you busy..

[Greenwood]

Welcome from Regina, SK you have found an incredible home. You say you have found someone to build you a stitching horse and already someone else is asking you to share the info, that's the way it is on this site. You can purchase machinery hand tools and share your personal experiences with friendly people from around the world, anything you need related to leather work can be found here. Good Luck

Leo

[lightingale]

Hello from Quebec (originally from near Toronto!)

Always happy to see another Canadian. We have plenty of unique challenges (in terms of getting quality tools and supplies) and I'm happy to share what I've picked up thus far! This forum is incredible for advice and support, even on obscure topics.

Stitching horse: whatever you do, don't buy any of the Tandy ones. I bought the cheap one, and it was awful. I traded it with a leatherworker friend who had a 60+ year old one that she got in an auction. It was fantastic. My house burned down about a month ago, and I bought the "pro" Tandy version, thinking it would come close to the old handmade one I've been using. Nope. The screw won't even fit on the bolt on the Tandy one, so don't waste your money!

My husband just replaced most of his non-power tools from the fire, and tells me the stitching horse is trivial to make with basic woodworking skills. Here are the links to the plans I sent him:

http://thecraftycoup...stitching-pony/

http://www.wrtcleath...stitchpony.html

http://sharpasatacks...ching-pony.html

My husband intends to make me one this week and if you'd like, I can let you know how our experience goes and if I'd recommend doing so.

Looking forward to hearing more from you!

Edited May 12, 2013 by lightingale

[Lolligagger]

I was going to build my own pony before I met my carpenter friend. I'm not very familiar with using wood, so I decided to spend a little more for something made professionally by a local artist. He really enjoyed making the stitching horse. His partner plans on photographing it thoroughly, and I will post the pictures. I am also convincing him to make stitching clams out of hardwood, as I imagine a few people would be interested.

Equus, would you like the contact info for my carpenter friend? He's open to making more, as he had so much fun making mine. All the people who come into his shop see the stitching horse and are attracted to it. It is a beautiful piece of art. He even used Soss hinges for a cleaner look to the clamping mechanism.

[EquusCustomLeathers]

I would love to have his info..and can't wait to see the photos Thanks!

[Lolligagger]

Sorry about the lateness, Equus; I had a busy couple of weeks. So my carpenter friend's name is Yorgo Liapis and his shop is based in Toronto. His email is yliapis@gmail.com. He just finished the stitching horse yesterday, and it is amazing. I will post pictures soon. I'm convincing Yorgo to make some stitching clams as well.

[EquusCustomLeathers]

Thank you so much! Sent him an e-mail this morning

[carsonauto]

Welcome from Sudbury I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but Tundra Leather in Hamilton is apparently a great place to go to (I haven't been there yet--it's a little more out of my way )