Tools Or Item To Buy

[keplerts]

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

[Troy Burch]

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.

[keplerts]

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

[electrathon]

I am assuming you have basic tools.

I find it hard to imagine trying to get perfectly aligned edges without a belt sander.

[JLSleather]

That's actually a pretty good idea. Or a table-top drill press, which would hold a drum sanding disc or a burnishing tool.

[Turn n Burn]

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

[Turn n Burn]

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

[Troy Burch]

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.

[kwelna]

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.

[Turn n Burn]

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

[Turn n Burn]

I tried

Edited February 14, 2014 by Turn n Burn

[Troy Burch]

My burnishing machine and bench grinder both turn the same. I thought they were all pretty much standard that way. If your useing the top half it turns toward you the bottom half away from you. I guess if you wanted it the other way you could just turn the machine around.

[keplerts]

Thanks for all the replies! Yes, I do have most of the basic tools. So I'm looking for something I wouldn't

normally buy. The belt sander or the drill press sounds like a lot of people use thiers often. Anyone like a particular brand/make/model of these tools?

Thanks, Again!

Tom

[camano ridge]

For the type of work we do with leather, the harbor freight stuff seems to do just fine. I have a two harbor freight drill presses. one is set up with a burnisher the other is a floor model I use for drilling metal and wood for knife making.I also have a harbor freight bench top belt and disc sander combo. I have had all three in service for several years and never had a problem with them. I also have a Ryobi oscilating drum sander and it works great as well. The harbor freight stuff seems to work fine and it is fairly cheap. The Ryobi brand seems to be fine also and can frequently befound on sale for close to harbor freight prices.

[Goldshot Ron]

I second the suggestion for a leather splitter. I mostly do saddle and tack work, so I'm using heavy leather. I use my splitter almost everyday for splitting down scrap for lacing and straps. When making bridles and halters, you don't have to buy 8-9 oz. sides when you can split down heavy skirting left over from a saddle project.

[keplerts]

Thanks again for the replies. I have Lap Skiver/Splitter. Although it does not split the greatest. I'm still pondering what I should get. I just can't decide! Not a very good trait......

Tom