Getting Started - What Have I Forgotten?

[deaglesuk]

Good morning folks.

I've been looking at giving leatherworking a shot for a while now and have finally taken the plunge and ordered some stuff to get me started. I've no doubt that I've forgotten something major but can't for the life of me think what that glaring omission is. I'm planning on starting with a belt (or 2) and probably having a look at something stupidly simple like a keyring to practice stitching on. I'm hoping someone could take a look over my list of ordered bits and tell me what I've missed?

My order is as follows

A2 cutting mat

Metal Ruler

Edge Slicker

20m leather sewing thread + 2 blunt needles

4 prong stitching punch

Overstitch wheel

1 wooden handled Awl

Rivets and setting tool

9 Pce punch set (2.5mm – 10mm)

Groover

Edge Beveller

Edge Slicker

Roller buckles

800g leather offcuts

2 x belt blanks (3.5mm Veg Tan, 54" x 1.5". 1 black, 1 dark brown)

Tan Kote

I already own a good Stanley Knife and a mallet.

I'm hoping that I really catch the bug and can add more tools / dyes / etc etc as I need them for future projects

[johnv474]

You aren't missing anything from this list. There are tools that can make certain aspects easier or more consistent, but often additional tools are purchased when what is needed is practice.

That said, you do not currently have anything to hold your pieces while you stitch. If you are broke, use a hardback book. If you have some spare time, take two pieces of 1x4 lumber about 2 ft long, attach a door hinge along the 4" part, andglue a few pieces of 2"x4" leather at the other end, then hold between your knees to hold your pieces while sewing. Much of what you need to get started is just a razor knife, ruler, an awl, needles, and thread. Good results can be achieved with just these basics.

[zuludog]

The stanley knife is as good as anything to start with, and stay with if it suits you & does the job. The blades are supposed to be disposeable, but they seem to get better if you re -sharpen them; probably because you reduce the shoulder of the bevel.

In fact the key to a lot of leatherwork is being able to get very sharp tools, so you could add a fine sharpening stone - oil, water, diamond, whatever suits you.

Make a strop from scrap wood & leather. I copied the picture and the approx dimensions from Tandy's catalogue. There is lots of information on this website and YouTube. For a sharpening compound you can use Autosol, valve grinding paste, jeweler's rouge, or specialist grinding/buffing compound sticks

You will usually have to sharpen a new awl yourself

If you have a 4 prong punch or chisel you can manage without the overstitch wheel. Flatten the stitching down with the mallet when you've finished

Beeswax; shop around for a low price. Besides coating thread it is used for various odd jobs in leatherwork

[byggyns]

If you will be using the stitching punches / chisels, you should have a 2 prong in addition to the 4 prong. The 2 prong will allow you to work around curves more easily. I find that I don't use the 4 prong much. I use the 2 prong and 6 or 8 prong (some smaller stitch lengths are available in 8) much more often.

[snubbyfan]

Ya need something to put under the leather when you're punching the stitch holes. A cheap plastic cutting board from the Dollar General works for me. I also get good results using gum tragacanth for burnishing edges.

The others pretty much covered the other stuff I thought of.

Lookin' forward to seein' what you come up with.

[mconrad09]

Can someone point me in the direction of what materials are needed to sharpen a Douglas Awl? I know I need a sharpening stone and a strop.

But what specifically? And where can I buy?