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Chinese High End Handmade Tool. Give Suggestions!


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  • 2 months later...
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can u let cmdachong make some tools for me, I lived in Shanghai...

  • 3 weeks later...
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I'm new to this forum and leather craft in general (I'm more of a woodworker), and since I'm looking at buying some tools I read through this entire thread.

9 months and, as far as I can tell, not one person has received a single tool. But clearly lots of interest by forum members.

I see quite a few eBay auctions with old random sets of Craftools go for $5 per tool. And I see the eBay listings for Chinese new tools (particularly thinking about bevelers and edgers) in the $2 to $5 range. Tandy tools are in the $20 range, smaller brands seem to start at $50 and go much higher.

Frankly I'm stuck. I don't want to buy poor quality tools, but I don't want to drop $500 initially either.

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Posted (edited)

I'm new to this forum and leather craft in general (I'm more of a woodworker), and since I'm looking at buying some tools I read through this entire thread.

9 months and, as far as I can tell, not one person has received a single tool. But clearly lots of interest by forum members.

I see quite a few eBay auctions with old random sets of Craftools go for $5 per tool. And I see the eBay listings for Chinese new tools (particularly thinking about bevelers and edgers) in the $2 to $5 range. Tandy tools are in the $20 range, smaller brands seem to start at $50 and go much higher.

Frankly I'm stuck. I don't want to buy poor quality tools, but I don't want to drop $500 initially either.

If you are a woodworker, then you probably have a lot of basic tools already. As I tell everyone that is testing waters is to figure out what they want to make and then base new tool purchase on that project. I would not buy kits as they have things you might never use. Buy known brands if possible and buy used. I got most of my first tools on ebay and forums that were beat up and used. Still use them today because quality was great to start with. First good tool I bought new was a good awl and handle from fellow users here. It was best $70 I spent at that time. Having a sharp awl was awesome.

Then when/if you keep going with leather working, buy best you can afford, it will be worth it (for most part) - I am super disappointing from the new Blanchard #1 edger I got. My ebay #1 off brand edger does much better job. Some hand tools just cost a lot to begin with and Chinese versions are almost never a good alternative. I bought a belt end cutter for $10 on ebay a while ago and I laughed when I got it. It was such poor quality I literally just tossed it without even trying it out. It was just completely non symmetrical and dull and just horrible. I went and bought a CS Osborne for $60 that same afternoon. So sometimes you learn from mistakes :)

Edited by tossik
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Posted (edited)

I recieved tools from cmdachong. I'm very impressed. Every tooth is polished to perfection. It comes right out when pricking. Dare I say it makes my $280 Blanchards look like CS Osborne Irons. Here is a photo sorry for the bad lighting. I paid $80 for a 2+7 tooth 9SPI Iron. Great deal. I will never use a blanchard iron again. 9SPI with 632 Lin Cable

R83bo4s.jpg

Edited by krominix

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Posted (edited)

If you are a woodworker, then you probably have a lot of basic tools already.

...

Some hand tools just cost a lot to begin with and Chinese versions are almost never a good alternative. I bought a belt end cutter for $10 on ebay a while ago and I laughed when I got it. It was such poor quality I literally just tossed it without even trying it out. It was just completely non symmetrical and dull and just horrible. I went and bought a CS Osborne for $60 that same afternoon. So sometimes you learn from mistakes :)

Thank you for your response! I was actually surprised how few of my woodworking tools would be used in leather work. The only that seems directly useful would be my Tormek sharpening system. But I also have some tools for doing canvas work on my boat - a Pfaff 545 with servo-motor, the green (Chinese) QJ gromet hand press, and a Hoover Press-N-Snap - and those look directly usable. Especially since my first project is going to be a belt for my 3yo grandson. :) Oh, and I already have a strap cutter.

So...the takeaway I get from your post is...I really have to piece-meal a collection. I'm resigned to that, but I would really have preferred to not have to do that much research.

My first eBay leather tool arrived today - a 12 piece (Chinese) hollow leather punch set (1/8" to 3/4") that I paid $14.95 for on Saturday. "High Carbon steel", "Hardness: 48HRC". Looking at the edges through a 4x loupe...they aren't very good. So I can chuck all except the 3/4" into my Steel City (Chinese) drill press and dress them up with my Harbor Freight (guess the origin) mill files. And maybe a stone. Sigh. Edit: maybe I can chuck them into a hand drill and use the Tormek?

On a positive note I see that @krominix has posted a positive experience report on the "high quality" tools.

Edited by centerisl
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Posted (edited)

I recieved tools from cmdachong. I'm very impressed. Every tooth is polished to perfection. It comes right out when pricking. Dare I say it makes my $280 Blanchards look like CS Osborne Irons. Here is a photo sorry for the bad lighting. I paid $80 for a 2+7 tooth 9SPI Iron. Great deal. I will never use a blanchard iron again. 9SPI with 632 Lin Cable

That's a good looking tool - at least the working end. Was that $80 delivered?

I'm a bit curious - and I know almost nothing about leather stitching - did you stitch that by hand? It looks very even - I would almost say machine-like.

Edited by centerisl
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Posted

That's a good looking tool - at least the working end. Was that $80 delivered?

I'm a bit curious - and I know almost nothing about leather stitching - did you stitch that by hand? It looks very even - I would almost say machine-like.

I paid $95 total with shipping. It is sewn by hand with a traditional saddle stitch. Thanks for the compliment!

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Posted

I paid $95 total with shipping. It is sewn by hand with a traditional saddle stitch. Thanks for the compliment!

Took does look nice but my only concern is what steel was used and how well it was tempered. I read somewhere that Blanchard pricking irons are around 59-60 HRC and that is really nice. Now if this to is low 50 or even 40s, it just won't last long until a tooth breaks (I really hope it won't).

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Posted

Took does look nice but my only concern is what steel was used and how well it was tempered. I read somewhere that Blanchard pricking irons are around 59-60 HRC and that is really nice. Now if this to is low 50 or even 40s, it just won't last long until a tooth breaks (I really hope it won't).

I think its an ugly tool tbh hahaha but it works great so who cares. I cant comment on the steel as i dont really know too much but its definitely way harder steel than my goods japan and tandy irons an i haven't broken a tooth on either of those ever. Im pretty easy going on the tools.

Trial and Error

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