Used Tools

[lionscrest]

I am a veteran living on disability and wanting to get back into the world of leather to supplement my income. Does anyone know where I can purchase used tools as I am starting on a shoestring budget.

[Studio-N]

check the marketplace section here. I have some for sale as well as others.

[zuludog]

I haven't bought any secondhand leather tools, but here's what I have done to save money

I do all my leather cutting with a Stanley knife. I found a secondhand one that I cleaned up & repainted, so not only is it much cheaper than a round knife, it cost £1 instead of £4 for a new one. I resharpen the blades instead of replacing them; they seem to improve, probably because this reduces the angle & shoulder of the bevel

I made a strop from scrap wood & leather. For a polishing compound I use Autosol car chrome polish that I already had. When this is used up I'll get something more solid like a block of jeweller's rouge or specialist compound

I made an edge polisher/burnisher/slicker based on pictures on the Net, from a broken axe haft

Got an old decorator's filling knife at a car boot sale for 50p It was battered & rusty but it was a good quality one with a forged blade. I re-shaped it, cleaned it up, and sharpened it. That is now my skiving knife. I am impressed that it takes an absolutely razor sharp edge

I use the glass oven door off an old cooker to skive on

Many towns have a market stall that deals in secondhand tools. They don't often have leatherworking tools, though I know one that does. You don't get if you don't ask. You should be able to get general tools, like an oilstone, a soft hammer, and so on. I've thought that an old carpenter's chisel, 1" or wider could make a skiving knife, but I haven't needed to try it

I have the blade from an old broken block plane. One day I might turn it into a Japanese leather knife; they cut on the push stroke, the pull stroke, and are also used for skiving, but are simpler than a round knife. Search YouTube for 'japanese leather knife'

In Britain things like home sewing, repairing, and mending are on the decline, so ask around friends & acquaintances, and at charity/thrift shops.

You might just meet someone who has their Grandfather's old tools stashed away in the loft, just waiting till they hear of a good home for them.

[rcsaddles]

Can you be a little more specific on what tools? I have some duplicate stamps I would be willing to let go. Just let me know what you are looking for.

[lionscrest]

Right now I am accumulating the basic tools I do not at this time plan on getting into Tooling I do want to do some basket weave style stuff not I ready to do any Sheridan type Tooling(I wish) so pricking irons,punches,skivers,setters,strap cutters just to basics to complete a few projects and generate cash flow. I figure to purchase materials and hardware on an as needed basis to build an inventory.

Thanks for your reply and any advice would be warmly accepted. God bless the USA

[tnhomestead]

Punches try Harbor freight or a cheap tool store. Setters (for rivets) can be a hammer and a hard place -- thats what I started with.Strap cutter is nice, but you can use a straight edge instead to start. Ebay always has cheap tools, and ask your local leather store if you have one(st louis?) if they know of any tools for sale cheap.

If you setup a company, sole prop, tandy and others will give you the wholesale price. I moved form Illinois few years ago, so not sur what that would cost in Benton.(used to fish a lot at Rend lake, lived in C'Dale for a few decades!

Driifstone Pueblo may have some stuff you can use, they are just west(15 miles?) of effingham on 70. Good cheap tools store in Marion on 13 for punches etc.

Good luck!

[Norton Custom Leather]

I have tool duplicates. Can get you some pictures early next week. We can maybe get you a "Get it out of my way deal"

As for suppliers, go with Springfield Leather Company in Springfield Mo. I dumped tandy some years ago because SLC has much better deals on tools & they are privately owned so they will work with you as a customer if you don't need a whole hide. Tandy's employees were great people, they just have to follow the corporate rules & guidelines.

[TinkerTailor]

Punches try Harbor freight or a cheap tool store. Setters (for rivets) can be a hammer and a hard place -- thats what I started with.Strap cutter is nice, but you can use a straight edge instead to start. Ebay always has cheap tools, and ask your local leather store if you have one(st louis?) if they know of any tools for sale cheap.

If you setup a company, sole prop, tandy and others will give you the wholesale price. I moved form Illinois few years ago, so not sur what that would cost in Benton.(used to fish a lot at Rend lake, lived in C'Dale for a few decades!

Driifstone Pueblo may have some stuff you can use, they are just west(15 miles?) of effingham on 70. Good cheap tools store in Marion on 13 for punches etc.

Good luck!

It says right on the Weaver Leather conditions in bold and underlined, you need one of the following to get a wholesale acct: federal tax id, vendor license #, Business card, Letterhead, Phonebook ad..........

So just a business card?. Right then, I'll get right on it.

Pays to read the fine print.

http://www.weaverleather.com/Supply/InfoandResources/SupplyDealerApplication.aspx