Is Everything From Tandy Sub-Par?

[natenaaron]

Hey look Natenaaron is asking another probably dumb question

I was about to purchase some tool stuff from Tandy and stopped myself. Is Tandy like the Wal-mart of the leather world, and I should avoid even buying tools from there?

[JLSleather]

Don't kid yourself... you can get cheap junk LOTS of places

[TomG]

Their Craftool line is OK to kind of learn what you might or might now want. Or learn a technique in many cases. But don't expect a "tool for life". I've played with the Pro line and they seem to be a whole lot better. I can't compare them to other makers, but the ones I did mess with made nice, sharp impressions.

I tested a #2 Pro Edger last week and it cut like butter right out of the package. I've had to sharpen every Craftool edger I've ever bought. The oblong slot cutters - High end is dull as a brick.. The cheap one is 10 times sharper.. but a crappy edge.

One disease that seems to be a major affliction of new leatherworkers is Toolitis. You want one of everything. Doesn't matter if you can or will use them.. you WANT them <g>.

If you are going to buy a good bit, the Gold membership can pay in the long run. Or a wholesale account.

It's best to go see the stuff, but if you can't you can always return it for full credit.

Oh, BTW, the only tool I've actually ever broken was a vintage Midas stamp. Go figure...

[camano ridge]

What kind of tools are you looking to buy? All most all of us own some Tandy tools even if some won't admit it. The older tools are better in most cases. However there are tools from Tandy work just fine. Some stamps are of. Try them out at the store before you buy to make sure it makes the impression you want. However there are other places to buy tools, GoodsJapan, there is another one I can't think of right now. I am sure some one else will mention it. When ordering from others on line you need to ask for the brand as some places carry tandy tools. If you have the money to spend you can't go wrong with Barry King, Jeremiah Watt etc.

[mlapaglia]

Buying from Tandy is like getting cheap tools to work on your car. You will get the car fixed but they are not the kind of tools you would buy if you fixed cars for a living. Tandy is the Harbor Freight of Leather Craft. The stuff is good enough for some use but if you decide you like doing it you will be buying better tools down the road. Think Harbor Freight vs Snap-on. Both work but the Snap-on keeps working.

Most of Tandy stuff is good enough for getting started. The Pro Line is new and may turn out to be fairly good tools. Time will tell.

Michael

[25b]

Had some time to kill last weekend and stopped by a Tandy store...was going to buy one of their "pro" diamond awl blades...until I found out they wanted some ridiculous amount of money for it...I think it was around $25...that was just for the blade. No handle.

No thanks.

And their leather selection and leather quality was pretty pathetic too.

[capsterdog]

LIke Camano Ridge stated, we all have some Tandy tools in our collections. The older tools are better from Tandy and the Pro LIne are very decent tools imo. I have to agree on the new edge beveler, they are sharp! Some people forget that not all of us can afford top of the line right of the bat. I think if you want to buy a few tools to get yourself started nothing wrong with that. Don't let others influence your buying, buy what you can afford and what you need. We all buy something from Tandy soon or later. Yes Barry King and Jerimiah Watt are great tools, but are much more expensive. Just remember, you don't need every tool out there. Start slow and keep moving on.

[natenaaron]

Thanks for the info. SOme things from Harbor freight are great others are crap and it is a crap shoot which you get. I have a grinder that has out lasted the big names, and another that burnt up the first hour. Don't like that kind of inconsistency.

I am looking for what I think would be the simplest tool kit to start with for what I want to do which is learn the basics of cutting, sewing and finishing simple projects like wallets, notebook covers, and the like. Aiming for bag and case making in the near future. The SNAP-ON man and I get along great but he is disheartened because I only purchase what I need when I need it.

1.5 and 1 inch Punch. That fork looking thing that punches holes

Diamond Awl

Corner punch

Round knife

Skiving knife (if someone says you can't skive with a round knife)

Good divider

v-tool

Burnisher

What do people think of those adjustable groover things that some folks use to recess the stitches.

[JLSleather]

If you're hand stitching, then I WOULD get the groover. And a diamond awl. I like an overstitch wheel for marking stitch spacing (no punches).

I've never owned a round knife -- for the type projects you're describing, you won't need one too. Stanley utility knife is $5 and cuts like butter. I keep a #11 x-acto around too.

What's a v-tool? You mean a gouge? Might help for notebooks n such.

And the burnisher is never a bad idea.

[Chief31794]

Tandy is what Tandy is. Fact is most of us wouldn't be doing leather work if it weren't for Tandy. They have some things that are okay and hard to find anywhere else. I don't buy leather from them, but I do buy a few odd tools from time-to-time. I buy most of my stamps and all of my edgers, swivel knives and blades from Barry King, although I have a couple of the new pro line stamps from Tandy and I have quite a few old Tandy stamps, but I don't use them much, however, they are handy when I need them. Bottom line, it's not a "Sin" to buy from Tandy, however, there are better tools, leather and hardware elsewhere.

Just my $.02 worth.

Chief