Tools Of The Trade

[WWSD]

I am just starting off along the road of leatherwork and I have no tools what so ever. I am impressed with the tutorials on the forum and I am now at the point of " OK, lets make a start".

I want to learn the basics and how to use the tools. I want to have a go at a belt eventually, so I am looking into what tools I will need.

Thanks for any help and info.

[Northmount]

I am just starting off along the road of leatherwork and I have no tools what so ever. I am impressed with the tutorials on the forum and I am now at the point of " OK, lets make a start".

I want to learn the basics and how to use the tools. I want to have a go at a belt eventually, so I am looking into what tools I will need.

Thanks for any help and info.

Here are a couple threads to take a look at. Also try out the search function. It can be your new best friend. Search for something like tools and beginner!

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=40290&st=0&p=250566&fromsearch=1entry250566

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=42981&hl=

Note also that the tools in the Tandy beginner kits are cheap and not the best quality. A lot of people are unhappy with the stamps as they are even lower grade than their regular line. Having said that, a starter kit still may be fine for you to give you a taste or what is there and some practice without spending a pile of money.

Tom

[leatherjunkie]

the basic set from tandy will get you started. the tools are just that basic and not the greatest. also pickup a basket weave stamp, its not hard to run and will make a good belt pattern.

when you decide you want to spend money and get good tools check out barry king tools for stamping. leather wranglers for the swivel knife.

go to leather wranglers and watch the video on sharping the swivel knife. it will help you on the tandy swivel knife 100%. the tandy swivel knife is very dull.

[reddevil76]

I started with Tandy then upgraded like everyone else. But when it's time to sell off the Tandy tools, I found that they are worthless.

That said, it'll be tough to start off with high end stuff.

I suggest that you take a look at www.goodsjapan.jp

Their tools aren't so much more than Tandy and yet are so much more better made. It should get you started.

A maul from Barry King. Pricking irons & edge beveler from Goodsjapan. Thread, needles, leather and hardware from Springfield leather is sufficient to do alot of projects.

[lightningad]

i too started with the Tandy kit, and quickly found i was hooked!.

Its surprising how little you need to get started....essentially you will be cutting out shapes, possibly stamping patterns, marking stitch holes and then stitching pieces together.

The Tandy kit will give you some of the basics (their leather pieces are pre-cut and pre-punched, so they dont give you a knife or awl/stitch markers).

Heres what i would suggest as well as the tandy beginners kit:-

a good knife - keep it extremely sharp, and learn how to maintain a polished cutting edge.

engineers dividers - these can be picked up at tool shops for very small amounts. They are ideal for marking stitch lines, and for marking up parallel lines (such as for belts).

Stitch markers - pricking iron or overstitch wheel - the choice is yours depending upon how you want your stitching to look. A virtually free alternative i have heard of is to use a fork to mark the stitch holes!

Awl - a diamond awl is perfect for making stitch holes you will need to sharpen it when first bought so it makes clean holes easily.....it can also be used to mark the leather if you want a fine scratch mark for cutting (but be careful not to damage the tip.)

Needles - I use John James No2 Harness needles - pack of 25 is a couple of quid.

You may also want to use glues - i find evostick impact works best for the things i make...just make sure you have plenty of ventilation.

Once you get a few projects under your belt, you will have a better idea of how you want to develop and the tools you will need to achieve that.

Its so easy to get sucked into the mindset that you need to get new tools for every little task - you don't! I bet all of us leather crafters have boxes full of tools that hardly ever get used, but we bought them because we thought they would be indispensible.

Most important thing is to have fun, and learn how to get the most from the tools you do have.

adam

[immiketoo]

Buy a round knife. Lightning said a good knife, but the best all around knife I have is a round knife. They are ESSENTIAL to leatherwork, and I was given bad advice at the beginning and told to use a box knife. I can't tell you the time, aggravation and wrecked leather I have saved since I got mine. Paul at http://www.leatherwranglers.com can set you up with a nice one. IF funds are tight, call Bruce Johnson and see if he can get you an older Gomph or Osborne.

[lightningad]

Agreed - Round Knives are brilliant! I just decided not to mention one yet as they can be costly.

i noticed you're in the UK, also. I got my round knife from leprevo.co.uk - i think it cost around £24 - and whilst the site gives no specifics, when it arrived the blade is etched with the George Barnsley name (which has a rather good reputation!) It needs quite a bit of sharpening and honing, just like all new knives, but its a great tool.

In fact, i get most of my stuff from leprevo, and if you need advice before buying your leather (assuming you can't actually get to a supplier to see your purchase) they are really helpful if you ring and speak to them.

[WWSD]

Thanks for the info, sound advice and links.

I will try and get on the forum a little bit more as at the moment I am busy with work. I cant wait to get started.

[St8LineGunsmith]

I see that you are in the UK so I am not sure if it would save you any money buying from the USA so I cannot make any suggestions as to where to buy however the basics to start with would include a utility knife with replacable blades, a straight edge a cheap set of wing dividers, a empty ball point pin for tracing patterns to leather, A strap cutter is not absolutley necessiary but it sure makes for a lot faster and neater strap making.

a swivel knife a few stamps like a basket stamp and border stamps. you will also need some rivets and rivet setters for fastening buckles to your belts you will also need a rotary punch or a set of hole punches.

you will also need to pick up a kit like this for sewing http://springfieldleather.com/29838/Kit%2CHandsewing/

these are the bare essentials to get you started

[Macca]

I wouldn't recommend Tandy tools

quite frankly, they are garbage

You could perhaps forgive them if they were cheap, but they aren't

have a look at goods japan instead, they do a few different kits & have tools you will actually continue to use if you decide this is the hobby for you (you will bin the tandy stuff very quickly)

http://www.goodsjapan.jp/item/leather-craft-items-leathercra/kyoshin-elle-leathercraft-kit-/lid=29748449

not the cheapest but that contains a very decent groover, good awls & nice punches etc