Hairic Report post Posted February 27, 2016 Hello everyone and sorry if you get this question allot, I am considering getting into leather working, I have toyed with the idea for a little over a year, I have a problem with starting a new hobby and getting bored with it pretty fast, So I have learned to sit on the idea for a while before actually starting a new hobby, I do not want to jump head first into leather working either, i want to make small things, learn the stitches and different things to make things likes wallets, bags, purses, pouches, I dont plan to be to fancy with them just yet so Im thinking I wont need many tools, but that is my question, What are some of the basic of the basics that I would need and where should I be looking to get them. I have figured I need the obvious, needles, thread, awl, leather and a stitching recess tool. Im sure there are things I am missing and thats why I am here. Next question is at first I want to avoid finishing the leather so what would be the recommendations of leather I should be looking at to make above items and where should I be looking for them at. I keep watching videos and I see people using a decently floppy yet thick piece of leather for there bags and would like to know what that leather is as I have never done any kind of leather working and I do not know anyone that does it. Any help would be appreciated thank you in advance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 27, 2016 Quite honestly, . . . an hour spent at a Tandy Leather shop should be time well spent. You will have far more questions than you have offered here, . . . and they can answer them as fast as you can ask them. If you should happen to get a dufus salesperson, . . . come back later, . . . or find another store. Even if you have to drove 100 miles, . . . it should be worth it. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
judgebc Report post Posted March 3, 2016 Haric, Go on the internet and see all the various Youtube videos on Leather, Carving, Sharpening, There is a wealth of information, I spent months on the internet. Word on the street is buy the best tool you can afford. Dwight is right. I started taking classes at Tandy Leather every Saturday. They have different classes every week. They furnish everything tools and leather for the item you make. You can then see which tools you will need as you make the item. Leather working is so much fun, yikes. Wallets and Knife sheaths coming up next. There are some great people here on the Forum with a wealth of information. You can get deals on tools here in this forum. Don’t hesitate as the quality tools go fast. I needed to know what a Cobbler hammer was, I called Jeremiah Watt, a great man. He explained the uses of the hammer and wow is it beautiful. Called Wayne Jueschke for a Maul and Basket Weaving stamps, he was very helpful and said get the maul and I will put a list of stamps I make. Call me when you get the list and I will explain the various stamps, maul is on the way. I talked to Bob Beard yesterday, he told me all about swivel knifes. He said the large straight blade will do everything the small blades will do and more. I ordered two Swivel knives with large and small blades. Then he said Modelers is what I need next and he explained why they were so useful. My knives won’t be here for a year. I could not wait so I called Louis Henley and he said the quality of the swivel blade is so important. Knife will be here in 3 weeks, ouch. Going to call Leather Wranglers today for a swivel knife, I heard they are in stock, 3 day wait by mail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted March 4, 2016 Tandy can be a great resource for a beginner. Be wary of the sales pitch. They have helpful info but also have an interest in getting you to buy more stuff. Many have come to realize they spent way more than they may have needed too. Watch out for things at tandy like their sponges and nitrile gloves. They are WAY cheaper at the drug store. Get some ideas, start with a small project and just get what you need for that project. Get a few more things for the next project. You may find that you hate carving but love nothing more than making hand stitched wet formed traditional camera cases. Stamping tools would collect dust, while expensive stitching chisels would be used daily. If you use a tool alot, seriously consider investing in a better tool than tandy offers. If you use it a rarely, the tandy tool is fine. An unused tool never breaks no matter how good or bad it was made. Buying just what you need for each project allows your tools to evolve with your interests as they are revealed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted March 15, 2016 As above; look through this forum and YouTube, especially videos by Ian Atkinson and Nigel Armitage Armitage does a video called How to Make a Simple Wallet, or something like that. A wallet, yes, but it is also a very good introduction to basic leatherwork Get a book on basic leatherwork, either buy or try your library. The one by Valerie Michael is often recommended Don't be tempted by Tandy's 4 - in - 1 awl. It is expensive and not very good. Separate round and harness awls are better, and almost half the price Start with a key fob. Depending on how far you want to go it can show you pattern making; marking out; cutting; saddle stitch; dyeing & staining; carving and tooling; edge bevelling; edge burnishing; skiving; and probably a couple of other techiques as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve75 Report post Posted October 12, 2016 Stohlman's many books on leatherworking are an invaluable source of information. The projects are dated in some cases, however the techniques used to create the objects are fundamental to developing your abilities. He also identifies the tools to acquire for each project, so you don't have to worry about the bone head sales person. These books are readily available at your local Tandy's. I have been fortunate as the Tandy in Sacramento has fairly knowledgeable sales persons. On the weekends when I have been there, there have been a couple knowledgeable leatherworkers floating around the store, which you might be able to strike up a conversation with. This forum is also a great resource. The many artisans on this forum are great and have no problem sharing information and ideas on how to accomplish projects. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted October 12, 2016 Springfield leather is a great resource. They have lots of entertaining videoes and a layer back sales approach. As for jumping into hobbies, I'm with ya. I was going to start reloading. I bought a book on reloading and all of the tooling. I held off on buying a press because I wasn't going to rush a hobby that makes explosions. 4 years later I still have all that stuff, and still haven't bought a press. Where abouts are you located? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
