Members keplerts Posted February 7, 2014 Members Report Posted February 7, 2014 Ok, Over the past year my son has given me $225 in Amazon gift cards. I have been saving them to buy various tools for the leather shop. So, I am asking this group what tools would you buy if you had this to spend? Would it be a Belt Sander, Dremel, shop press, books or something else? I do saddle and tack repair, knife sheaths, belts, etc. Want to start building my first saddle soon also. I just can't decide on what to buy. I am not in a terrible rush to buy anything but I must say the money is starting to smolder in my pocket. Thanks for you suggestions, Tom Quote
Members Troy Burch Posted February 11, 2014 Members Report Posted February 11, 2014 Check out Al Stolmans saddle making books volume 1, 2, and three. It's full of patterns for 3 types of saddles. Very easy to understand with pictures of each step by step instruction. Quote
Members keplerts Posted February 11, 2014 Author Members Report Posted February 11, 2014 Troy, Thanks for the reply. I do have the Stolman saddle books and find them VERY useful. But, I think I can also get Dusty Johnsons book on amazon as well. Do you know anything about that book? What are your thoughts on a dremel? It seems that a lot of folks find good uses for one. Again, Troy, thanks for you suggestion. Tom Quote
electrathon Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 I am assuming you have basic tools. I find it hard to imagine trying to get perfectly aligned edges without a belt sander. Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted February 12, 2014 Contributing Member Report Posted February 12, 2014 That's actually a pretty good idea. Or a table-top drill press, which would hold a drum sanding disc or a burnishing tool. Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members Turn n Burn Posted February 12, 2014 Members Report Posted February 12, 2014 My drill press is one of my most used metal working toolsi use for leather. Drill, sand, run a flex shaft, and press for rivets although I havent tried that Quote
Members Turn n Burn Posted February 12, 2014 Members Report Posted February 12, 2014 Looks like JLS got in while I was typing the other is a mini lathe if you have a drill press thats my new burnisher my drill press is to big to bring inside Quote
Members Troy Burch Posted February 12, 2014 Members Report Posted February 12, 2014 I agree with everyone above. I have a electric motor with a shaft on both sides, one fitted with a burnishing dowel and the other side with a sanding drum, it will make your life easier. I have a dremel tool and a table top drill press, hardly ever use either. Quote
Members kwelna Posted February 12, 2014 Members Report Posted February 12, 2014 I always go for big ticket items when I get a wind fall of cash. So how about a splitter? I just bought one and I have only used it a small amount, but it beats the heck out of skiving by hand. They are $259 at the T store this month. as usual, the quality is OK - Good and the blade needs a bit of work, but out of the box with no sharopening\ tweeking, splitting 1.5" belt ends was a breeze.. NIce and even, clean cuts, not bad. Quote
Members Turn n Burn Posted February 14, 2014 Members Report Posted February 14, 2014 (edited) I agree with everyone above. I have a electric motor with a shaft on both sides, one fitted with a burnishing dowel and the other side with a sanding drum, it will make your life easier. I have a dremel tool and a table top drill press, hardly ever use either. Pretty much like a bench grinder im guessing? What way is it spinning towards or away from you? Know most knife makers turn them away at least then if you catch less chance of it coming back at you Edited February 14, 2014 by Turn n Burn Quote
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