Members DS STRAPS Posted September 22, 2015 Members Report Posted September 22, 2015 Add me to the list for an order of pricking irons https://www.facebook.com/dswatchstraps
Members Cyis Posted December 15, 2015 Members Report Posted December 15, 2015 can u let cmdachong make some tools for me, I lived in Shanghai...
Members centerisl Posted December 30, 2015 Members Report Posted December 30, 2015 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.
Members tossik Posted December 30, 2015 Members Report Posted December 30, 2015 (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 December 30, 2015 by tossik
Members krominix Posted December 31, 2015 Members Report Posted December 31, 2015 (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 Edited December 31, 2015 by krominix Trial and Error
Members centerisl Posted December 31, 2015 Members Report Posted December 31, 2015 (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 December 31, 2015 by centerisl
Members centerisl Posted December 31, 2015 Members Report Posted December 31, 2015 (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 December 31, 2015 by centerisl
Members krominix Posted December 31, 2015 Members Report Posted December 31, 2015 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! Trial and Error
Members tossik Posted December 31, 2015 Members Report Posted December 31, 2015 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).
Members krominix Posted December 31, 2015 Members Report Posted December 31, 2015 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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