Woodlands Report post Posted February 21, 2014 Hello Everyone, I am just about to start learning leatherwork. I am going to begin with a short course at Tandy Leather to learn some basics but am interested to know what everyone thinks about starter kits. Tandy want you to buy one of these kits with the course but i don't want to realise down to the track that they are poor quality and have to re-buy all over again. So my question is would you buy one of these $50-$80 kits? and if not what sort of tools would you recommend for a beginner who's interested in making wallets and smaller leather goods - id like to make them to sell. Thank you, thank you to anyone who helps. I really want to learn this trade well. Sarah (living near Calgary, Canada) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeSnuffie Report post Posted February 21, 2014 If you can get them cheap, the Tandy kits are great for learning basics. When I started out I got one from Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon. It's a cheap way to find out if it's something you really enjoy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Woodlands Report post Posted February 21, 2014 thanks Joe, yeh i probably will start off with one. i just wanted to make sure they weren't completely rubbish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Blea Report post Posted February 21, 2014 Hello Sarah, and welcome! The problem is that the tools that are part of the basic kits have a reputation for being very low end. I don't know this from experience but I have seen many comments on here that the tools that come in the basic kits are of cheaper quality than what Tandy sells in the stores, and should be replaced at your first opportunity. If you know that you really want to carve leather, it may be worth your while to look at better tools. If you are not sure leather work is something you want to spend a lot of time doing, the kit is probably a very good way to go. Just keep in mind that the bevelers and swivel knife may be frustrating at times because of their quality. However, they may serve you well as you experiment and learn new skills, and after that experimentation you may decide you are hooked and ready to spend $20.00 on a good beveler and $45.00 on a good Barry King swivel knife. Hope this helps! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkitchHiker Report post Posted February 22, 2014 I started off with the Tandy Delux kit, myself. Got it when it was $75 and it was great! The only project I ended up keeping for myself was the belt, and I wear it every day. Everything else I ended up selling, which pretty much paid for the kit! I still use the swivel knife, the mallet, and the b701 beveler on nearly every project I done for just over a year and they show no signs of failing yet. They may not work the best, but I like them!. I still have all the other ones, I just use them far far less. They work fine and I see no need to upgrade what I hardly use. I'm about to place an order for a new b701, but I plan to use the old one until it no longer serves it's purpose. I wouldn't worry about having to upgrade immediately, or shortly after. It will be a great way to introduce yourself to everything, and you can still make decent items out of what you get. Welcome to the club! Cheers, Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WyomingSlick Report post Posted February 22, 2014 ............ I'm about to place an order for a new b701, but I plan to use the old one until it no longer serves it's purpose. .......... Cheers, Alex I am curious. Why would you need a new B701 beveler? You may need a bettter 701 since some of the newer Craftools leave a bit to be desired. I would sugest that you get one on eBay that is one of the older Craftools that was made before 1970. I am sure that you could get one for less than the $9.99 that Tandy LF is selling them for. In fact I would suggest that you pick up a set of stamps from eBay. They usually go for less than 5 bucks a tool, for the more common bevelers, veiners, cams, shaders, etc......even for vintage pre-letter tools. If you look at the attachment you can see the differance I found between a vintage Craftool beveler and a more recent one. A beveler should have rounded edges so that you can "walk" it and bevel smoother. Even a pro would have trouble using the blockier beveler.......at least for a few seconds before he tossed it into the regrind can. LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkitchHiker Report post Posted February 22, 2014 timestamp='1393060955' post='344099'] I am curious. Why would you need a new B701 beveler? You may need a bettter 701 since some of the newer Craftools leave a bit to be desired. I would sugest that you get one on eBay that is one of the older Craftools that was made before 1970. To be honest, I wasn't very aware of how drastic the difference was, otherwise I would have done some better shopping! I ordered a new one for $5, so I wasnt too bothered by the price. After a year of using tandy, I just stopped using them recently. Ridiculous prices and an unbearable membership fee. I'll buy kits from them to use as templates but thats probably it. Anyways I digress. To bring the topic back on track a bit... the cast b701 that came with the deluxe kit is fairly smooth around the edges and it walks very nicely. I think my only complaint is its chrome plated so the grip area has tarnished and smells a bit strange lol, and the stippling on the bevel isnt very prominant. Other than that, its great for a beginner tool and as I stated before, I plan on using it until i cant possibly use it anymore. In the mean time I'll heed your advice and start hunting for some old ones! Thanks for the tip! P.s. im on my phone so quoting your reply didn't work out perfectly... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
