Need to vent a little...

[GregGaub]

Ok, I know you guys will understand my frustration.

I have a guitar strap that I have to hand over tomorrow. I went to Tandy to take advantage of their sales this weekend to pick up some tools to fill in my collection where I needed a couple. I then began to use them on this project. All I can say is that I'm VERY disappointed in these new tools. Ironically, I found that I bought a new one of a tool I already had, but I thought it was a different tool because the impression was so different from my old one. Specifically this was a checked beveller, B936. My old one was flat and has a deeper texture, while the new one is rounded, both on the face and on the toe, and has a much shallower, almost invisible texture. I tested them at the store, but obviously not enough. I also found that no matter how soft/hard I stamp, or how little/much I move it, it always wants to leave prints behind. I end up having to tap so lightly and frequently to even out the impressions that the pitiful texture gets completely lost.

Obviously, I'm in a bad mood over this.

I've already searched the boards for suggestions on high quality stamping tools, and found that many of you recommend Hide Crafters tools, which I plan to order from very soon.

Am I being too hard on Tandy? Does anyone else feel that their tool quality has taken a dive? Is there a better option than Hide Crafters?

Thanks!

-Greg

[electrathon]

Tandy is well aware of the trouble. They have been saying for years that they are looking into fixing it. Don't hold your breath.

Barry King tools are far superior. Great service and great quality. They do cost more though.

[MatthewD]

I have a couple of the geometric pattern stamps and they are not cutting it on leaving a good impression...

[rickybobby]

Ok, I know you guys will understand my frustration.

Am I being too hard on Tandy? Does anyone else feel that their tool quality has taken a dive? Is there a better option than Hide Crafters?

Thanks!

-Greg

Greg,

Hide crafter tools are o.k. I use my checkered bevels from them a lot. Barry Kings tools are a good step up from Tandy's.

I just bought the basic set from Hackbarth and they Rock!!! I have had a basket tool from them for 6 or 7 years and to look at it next to a Craftool you cannot believe how clean and crisp the fine lines and edges are compared to the Craftool!!!

Call them direct Lonnie is working with Ellis now (Ellis is 86) Lonnie will take great care of you. This set is only a couple of dollars a tool more then tandys but they are worlds apart!

check this out http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...hackbarth+tools

Hope you try them, I really like mine.

Rick J.

[CitizenKate]

Hopefully someone from Tandy who knows what is in the works will see this and address it. I am sad to say, I have seen a noticeable decline in the quality of stamps from Tandy just in the last 5 years. I have bought several extra copies of stamps I already have for teaching classes, and they are quite different from the ones I bought only a few years ago.

But I have heard hopeful rumors that they are re-making the patterns from which the stamps are made. I would be especially encouraged if they were looking for ways (since these are mass-produced, not handmade) to apply more modern CNC milling techniques to make them.

Kate

[hidepounder]

All of Tandy's tools are entry level tools, at best. Some of the old Tandy tools are okay, but still entry level. Hidecrafter tools are better, however, in my humble opinion, if you are serious about progressing, you may want to upgrade. The following is a list of quality tool makers. It would be worth your time to call and have them send you their catalogs. Be prepared for sticker shock!

Pro Series Tools - Bob Beard, 505/632-7039

Gore Tools - Jay, 800/859-8338

Hackbarth Tools - Ellis/Lonnie, 520/642-3891

Barry King Tools - Barry, 307/672-5657

Bill Woodruff Tools - Bill, 520/282-6134

Wayne Jueschke Tools - Wayne, 775-738-4885

Smith & Company - Chuck Smith, 818/222-5757

Hope this helps....

Bob

[Rawhide]

I have spoken to Jim Linnell on this issue and he said that Tandy (him specifically) are collecting all the old craftools that have the higher quality than today's craftools. Once the collection is complete, they plan to re-tool all of them based on the old tools as masters. When will this happen? I have no clue. But it would be nice to contrast some of them to what we have. Now with that said, I've fallen in love with Barry King's tools and plan on trying Bob beard and Wayne Jueschke tools.

[Vikti]

I was noticing the same thing with a couple of my own Craftools. I have 2 A401 (?) background tools and they have different checker patterns on them. What got me to notice was earlier today while I was doodling around I started using one and took a break and afterwards I picked up the other and noticed that I wasn't getting the same "darkness" that I was getting earlier.

I've only been hanging around the Hidecrafters in Ft. Worth for a couple of months now, but one thing that they have shown me is that at times "night and day" doesn't even begin to describe the differences in quality between what Hidecrafters sells and Craftools. I bought myself a Barry King mallet about 2 months ago hoping that I would get a better look out of my tri-weave tool that I got from Tandy but was dissappointed in the results. Today I got myself the small tri-weave from Hidecrafters and now I get very satifactory result by just using my light polly mallet.

So now, every few weeks when work permits me to go up there I get myself a couple of new tools to replace my Craftools that I have.

Damon

[abn]

I have a lot of the Hidecrafter tools, most of them marked "Craft Japan." They cost about the same as the Tandy Craftools, but the impressions are much crisper. If you're looking to get good stamps at a reasonable price, I'd recommend them.

Good luck! -Alex

[GregGaub]

Thanks, everyone. I'll definitely be ordering some of those catalogs, and get a good grip on what's out there and for how much.

I remember that I did have a non-Tandy tool in my collection that was really good. I went out and checked, and it's a Hackbarth. It doesn't have a code number on it, but it's a round checked shader of some kind. I think I got it during some kind of promotion a few years ago, or as a prize from something. Anyway, it's far and away a better tool than anything else in my collection, including Tandy tools my dad had from when I was a kid in the scouts (probably before that, actually).

While I readily admit that I'm no master at this, it's clear to me now how big a difference the quality of the tools make, even in the hands of an amateur.

Thanks again for all the feedback.