RileyRaffy Report post Posted January 28, 2015 Hey all you experts again. Could you perhaps recommend us newbies on essential tools for tooling (can't think of a better way of phrasing). Eg. How many background tools do you need and what sizes? Or best tools for beveling etc. I know it's a broad subject, but would definitely come in handy to someone like me who is limping along with a grand total of 4 tools, and would like to buy more. Riley x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) I guess you're talking about stamping / carving tools? The number and type will depend on the type and size of work you'll be doing. Here's a few not-necessarily-connected thoughts about that. If you're doing basket stamped designs on portfolios and belts, you could easily do that with 3 tools (and some do). No problem. If you're doing "western floral" or "sheridan" tooling, you could do MANY designs with 10 tools. Perhaps another 10 would add some variation in your work. Tandy and Craftool are huge names in leather (some don't like it, but it's true). Both of these will show you pictures of carved designs with tool numbers used. Many people have run out to purchase those exact tools, only to realize later this wasn't necessary (or perhaps not even desirable, if you want to be noticed). You don't need EVERY beveler, though a few different is helpful. Example? Craftool makes a smooth beveler about 1/8" wide, and they make another - same profile and smooth texture - more like 3/8 or 7/16" wide. You don't NEED both -- all your designs could be beveled with the small tool. The wider one WILL speed your work (big plus on a belt with a border). Brands. I use Craftool carving tools. It's what I learned with, back when. It's all I use. But I have older ones, and i can tell you the ones at the Tandy counter today are not the same. Step 2. A number of people have realized this, and formed companies making alternate tools at (what I personally think are ) out of control prices. I don't care who you are, I won't pay $50 for a single stamping tool. Nope. Maybe enough at this point. You can still find these older "craftools" (as they were abbreviated) on Ebay and such. Perhaps a collector or historian would want them ALL, but a leather worker doesn't need them. Obviously, if you're making belts you'll need some type of punch, and lacing or sewing will require needles ... etc. The cow head was done with 8 tools, including the floral design around it. Granted, most would agree this is not particularly good likeness of a cow, but - hey - it's trying that counts, yes? Oh, if it seems like this didn't actually answer your question, we still need to know the type of tooling you want to do OOOPSy That's TEN tools, if you count the swivel knife and modeling spoon, both of which you WILL want. Edited January 28, 2015 by JLSleather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RileyRaffy Report post Posted January 28, 2015 Goodness gracious, you are quite right!! I mean stamping, yes! What a amazing answer. Thank you so much for your advice. As for what I am tooling... I am attempting horse bridles, with any design that pops in my head (floral, skulls, animals, anything!) I find most of the time my tools/stamps are far too large for the intricacy I am looking for. I also don't particularly like flat faced bevelers (without texture if you understand me!) I would like to invest in some more stamps. Should I move away fro Tandy ? eBay? Riley x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 28, 2015 Shucks, Ma'am Personally, I sometimes buy on Ebay. There's actually a pretty good selection of the older ones. This is not 'popular', and I would anticipate a slough of fellers gonna tell ya somethin' else. Only downfall really, is you have to find what you need, though you can do that in some of the Ebay stores. As I mentioned, I wouldn't go purchase the ones currently available from Tandy. Convenience which results in something other than what you need is not convenience at all. If it wasn't fer cute girls workin' there, I probably wouldn't go to Tandy at all You don't need the long speech about "craftool vs craftool usa vs blahblahblah (tho you could find it here). The Ebay listings generally show a picture of the impression made by the tool. Oh, and what you call 'flat faced' bevelers are (at least with Craftool brand) called "smooth" bevelers. You might prefer the "checked" or "checkered" bevelers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RileyRaffy Report post Posted January 28, 2015 That's the one! Checked face it is. Can I get smaller or pointed ones, to go in tight spots? JLSleather, eBay it is! I shall have a look tonight and perhaps look at YouTube to find exactly what I need. Riley xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troy Burch Report post Posted January 28, 2015 I don't know what kind of carving your doing but if it's figure (animal) carving you'll be wanting the smooth bevelers also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted January 28, 2015 At the risk of sounding 'put off' by the quality of what's being produced these days I have another suggestion. It isn't necessarily less expensive at first, but in the long run it's worth it. My suggestion is to get some stainless steel rods and bolts, some files or a belt sander and Dremel tool, then learn to make some tools - you can practice on brass rod, and mild steel, but the SS will have a longer service life. Somewhere along the way, pick up some checkering files in various 'lines per inch' (or LPI). The long term result is that you'll be able to make most of the tools you'll need to do anything you want. There are some tools like intricate basket weave stamps that require more tool making knowledge and tools....or lots of time and detail with a dremel. Making your own tools will also give you unique stampings. I'll see if I can throw some things together to provide an example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RileyRaffy Report post Posted January 28, 2015 That sounds like a very good idea and useful. Is it difficult to do? Do they stand up to constant hammering? I also think I need to read up on casing my leather better. Do stamp names have numbers that increase or decrease according to size? I am sorry if I am asking ignorant questions, but I really don't want to spend money I really don't have on somehow I don't need. Truly grateful for all your help so far Riley xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 28, 2015 That's the one! Checked face it is. Can I get smaller or pointed ones, to go in tight spots? JLSleather, eBay it is! I shall have a look tonight and perhaps look at YouTube to find exactly what I need. Riley xx Google tube has some REAL crap -- like most places these days I suspect But, just one example I would personally not avoid (which is not the same as recommending, it's just not NOT recommending) would be to search for "leather tooling" and maybe not avoid videos by Bruce Cheaney. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RileyRaffy Report post Posted January 28, 2015 I have had a look at Bruce's channel. He is incredibly gifted, with years of experience but I find him/the videos so slow. I would benefit hugely I'm sure, watching videos like that! Rileyx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted January 28, 2015 Distractions aside, once I had the parts and pieces together, this took about 10 minutes. It's a mild steel rod (not stainless) which I turned into a small spot checkered matting tool. There's really no bevel to it (anymore), but I did it as a proof of concept. This one was made by flattening the "face" which used to be my sharp angle beveler and then hammering it against an old dull file. The cross hatching is done by simply turning the tool. ---for all the tool heads out there, yes, I know it ruins the file to do it...the file's already pretty well useless as a file, it's becoming a blade soon-- I know, not terribly impressive metal work, but like I said- it was a 10 minute project, not tool making day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RileyRaffy Report post Posted January 28, 2015 Genius! And cost effective. I may have a go tomorrow, or better yet get my father to have a go, next time I see him ( I don't have the tools ) Thank you! R x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
