Hello from Brisbane Australia

[AussieMade]

Hey all,

Going to try my luck at the leather work hobby again after making a belt and knife sheath for myself about 16yrs ago. I had a great teacher back then and was happy with my work I done.

A little about myself, I am a landscape gardener, so belts, tool belts, knife sheaths, etc. will be getting made a lot. I am waiting on my tools to arrive, but already have orders for two belts, one dedicated to my cousins Rottweiler that passed away a few years back, I have found an awesome Rottweiler belt buckle to go with that one, and my other belt is for my mums birthday, so going to be a bit of work involved in that one.

Other orders I have are 1 dog collar for one friend and two chest plate harnesses for another mates American Staffy X Pitbulls who have broken pretty much every collar they have worn. So will be using a lot of stitching and rivets to strengthen all the joints.

Really looking forward to learning about different leathers etc, and how to use them correctly. Lucky I have a leather manufacturing plant only 5mins up the road, that specialises in Australian high quality animal Leathers and suede.

I am also able to get access to some Australian Cane Toad Leather which I want to use to make a wallet for myself out of.

Anyways, can't wait to post some pics to get some constructive criticism when my projects are finished.

Cheers

Damien

Edited July 5, 2016 by AussieMade

[RockyAussie]

Welcome AussieMade hope to see some good work coming. What belt color/tip are you at.Is it Packers your referring to?

[AussieMade]

Hi RockyAussie,

 

Yeah hoping I still have skills in leather lol.

Used to be Blue Belt, about 20 years ago, but started again, up to Yellow belt again now, but blew my knee out a few months back so now missed a couple of promotions, so off training for about 6mths till I get my strength in my knee back again.

[RockyAussie]

In the gallery pics up the top you see a bike tool bag. That is made for a friend Tom who is Barrister up here (hence the scales of justice theme on the bag end)and believe it or not one of his other interests is teaching Taekwondo. Couple of years ago he actually went over to China I think to improve his skills in that area. Remember if your going into that silly brick breaking stuff to pick ones that go thud not ting. Last i shook his hand he nearly collapsed due to possible fractures in his hand. If you get up this way give me yell.

[AussieMade]

2 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

In the gallery pics up the top you see a bike tool bag. That is made for a friend Tom who is Barrister up here (hence the scales of justice theme on the bag end)and believe it or not one of his other interests is teaching Taekwondo. Couple of years ago he actually went over to China I think to improve his skills in that area. Remember if your going into that silly brick breaking stuff to pick ones that go thud not ting. Last i shook his hand he nearly collapsed due to possible fractures in his hand. If you get up this way give me yell.

Yeah that would hurt lol, Yeah forgot to say, that is Packer Leather up the road from me. They dont have the greatest of range, but I also have a few on the Southside I can access if needed. Where abouts are you located?

[RockyAussie]

Check out Trevor at East Coast leathers if you haven't already. He can give you more info on me.If you click on the yellow duck it will take you to my profile and then scan down to the bike tool bag and when you open that message I think it will show you where I be.

[AussieMade]

34 minutes ago, RockyAussie said:

Check out Trevor at East Coast leathers if you haven't already. 

Yep I have been checking them out, They look like they have a really good range. And I can get the Toad Leather from them  Which I want to make a wallet from. I might stop in to see them when my tools arrive next week or so. 

[Wedgetail]

G'day Aussiemade, I'm just down the motorway at Ipswich.

I tend to be making a lot of moulded pouches, but also belts, and smaller items like phone wallets. Still a noob, but I take my time with things.

Maybe we can help each other out, especially if needing specific tools for a one off job, or bundle up purchases for hardware/etc to save on the postage! (Just bought some thread from the states, and shipping alone was $30... )

Getting good belt leather here is the hard part. Looking at heading to east coast leather myself, probably on brisbane show day.

[ozhank]

I live on the other side of the hill to you blokes, about 4.5hrs sw of Brisvegas

 

[AussieMade]

On 7/20/2016 at 1:38 PM, Wedgetail said:

G'day Aussiemade, I'm just down the motorway at Ipswich.

I tend to be making a lot of moulded pouches, but also belts, and smaller items like phone wallets. Still a noob, but I take my time with things.

Maybe we can help each other out, especially if needing specific tools for a one off job, or bundle up purchases for hardware/etc to save on the postage! (Just bought some thread from the states, and shipping alone was $30... )

Getting good belt leather here is the hard part. Looking at heading to east coast leather myself, probably on brisbane show day.

 

Im just starting out again, but would love to meet up one day and pick your brains on belt making etc. I'm think that is the area I want to get into. I was going to head down to East Coast Leather some time in the next week or two and have a look at what they have, It has to be more than what Packers has.

 

23 hours ago, ozhank said:

I live on the other side of the hill to you blokes, about 4.5hrs sw of Brisvegas

 

Should have a Brisbane and surrounds meet up one day, I would love to get with like minded people that can show me the finer detail stuff that I seem to be having issues with (I will blame my tools for the time being). Just got my first order for a 35mm 10oz belt with knife pouch, so will be interesting to see how it comes out. And its the sort of order that may have repeat work coming from it.

[Wedgetail]

21 hours ago, AussieMade said:

Im just starting out again, but would love to meet up one day and pick your brains on belt making etc. I'm think that is the area I want to get into. I was going to head down to East Coast Leather some time in the next week or two and have a look at what they have, It has to be more than what Packers has.

 

Should have a Brisbane and surrounds meet up one day, I would love to get with like minded people that can show me the finer detail stuff that I seem to be having issues with (I will blame my tools for the time being). Just got my first order for a 35mm 10oz belt with knife pouch, so will be interesting to see how it comes out. And its the sort of order that may have repeat work coming from it.

I reckon a  meetup would be a great  idea mate! There are a lot of people around here into this stuff, and we can probably learn a lot from each other.

I'm planning on making the pilgrimage to East Coast Leather tomorrow arvo, time permitting, after a meeting with the accountant.

It is kind of unfortunate they aren't open on weekends, had too wait for a Brisbane public holiday to head down there... actually, better check they are open... haha

I'll be looking for belt leather actually, and some sheepskin or goatskin for wallets. So if I get there, I'll let you know how it goes!

[AussieMade]

9 hours ago, Wedgetail said:

I reckon a  meetup would be a great  idea mate! There are a lot of people around here into this stuff, and we can probably learn a lot from each other.

I'm planning on making the pilgrimage to East Coast Leather tomorrow arvo, time permitting, after a meeting with the accountant.

It is kind of unfortunate they aren't open on weekends, had too wait for a Brisbane public holiday to head down there... actually, better check they are open... haha

I'll be looking for belt leather actually, and some sheepskin or goatskin for wallets. So if I get there, I'll let you know how it goes!

 

 

Yeah I would love to get down there as I have a belt order I have to fill by early next week and send up to NQ. I'm not a big fan of the range at Packers, So yeah would be great if you could let me know what sort range of buckles etc, they have, as Packer Leather only have about 4-5 types of 35 - 40mm buckles.

[AussieMade]

9 hours ago, Wedgetail said:

I'll be looking for belt leather actually, and some sheepskin or goatskin for wallets. So if I get there, I'll let you know how it goes!

 

 

Would also love to know their belt blank lengths as well if possible thanks. The belt I need to make is for a 53" belt size.

[Wedgetail]

1 minute ago, AussieMade said:

Yeah I would love to get down there as I have a belt order I have to fill by early next week and send up to NQ. I'm not a big fan of the range at Packers, So yeah would be great if you could let me know what sort range of buckles etc, they have, as Packer Leather only have about 4-5 types of 35 - 40mm buckles.

Ok sure I'll have a look for you.

I have been buying my buckles from Adelaide saddlery and leather. Pretty bloody good! Good range, fairly inexpensive, the ones I have got are good quality, and they turned around my order the same morning I placed it.

http://www.adelaideleather.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=49_71

[Wedgetail]

10 minutes ago, AussieMade said:

Would also love to know their belt blank lengths as well if possible thanks. The belt I need to make is for a 53" belt size.

Ok, will do!

Also, if you're looking at Adelaide leather and saddlery, they also do belt lengths. Veg-tanned long ones are here

http://www.adelaideleather.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116&products_id=6988

Haven't tried these myself.

I have tried their bridle lengths. The ones I got were around 1700 long. But they are partially chrome tanned in their processing so resist tooling or burnishing at all. Still, nice feeling leather if you're not needing to do that. See attached for how mine turned out.

[AussieMade]

1 hour ago, Wedgetail said:

Ok, will do!

Also, if you're looking at Adelaide leather and saddlery, they also do belt lengths. Veg-tanned long ones are here

http://www.adelaideleather.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116&products_id=6988

Haven't tried these myself.

I have tried their bridle lengths. The ones I got were around 1700 long. But they are partially chrome tanned in their processing so resist tooling or burnishing at all. Still, nice feeling leather if you're not needing to do that. See attached for how mine turned out.

Nice Belt. Yeah I will be tooling a design, so Chrome Tanned is probably not going to be a good leather to use.

I used Packer Leather's 10oz (4mm) Bridle leather for my belt and it has come out nice I think.

[Wedgetail]

3 minutes ago, AussieMade said:

Nice Belt. Yeah I will be tooling a design, so Chrome Tanned is probably not going to be a good leather to use.

I used Packer Leather's 10oz (4mm) Bridle leather for my belt and it has come out nice I think.

Yeah that turned out really well!

I didn't expect bridle leather would tool that well actually... goes to show how much impact chrome tanning has on that sort of thing.

[AussieMade]

It's Veg Tanned bridle (what the receipt says), Whats the easiest way to tell Chrome Tan over Veg Tanned? I have some scrap leather that they said was Veg Tanned but is really hard, and doesn't soften with water very well (seems to bead off rather than soak in). and doesn't tool well either.

I have never worked with Chrome Tanned before so would be great to find out

 

[Wedgetail]

12 hours ago, AussieMade said:

It's Veg Tanned bridle (what the receipt says), Whats the easiest way to tell Chrome Tan over Veg Tanned? I have some scrap leather that they said was Veg Tanned but is really hard, and doesn't soften with water very well (seems to bead off rather than soak in). and doesn't tool well either.

I have never worked with Chrome Tanned before so would be great to find out

 

Yeah for what you are doing you need veg tan, for sure.

Chrome tan only even stamps half decently if you use a hot stamp.

Reason I was surprised about the bridle leather tooling so well is because it is so water resistant that it is hard to case (wet) the leather.

Easiest way to tell if something is chrome tan (though not always works) is to cut a bit off. If you can see a little grey coloured line near the surface it is probably chrome tanned.

But if it isn't chrome tanned it could have been tanned with other properties (oils, fat liquors, or surface treatment) like bridle leather is, to help waterproof it... or it may just be lower grade veg tan and doesn't tool as well as some premium stuff. I bought some tooling leather before that was a bit like that, and some other stuff that tooled like a dream.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Wedgetail

[Wedgetail]

OK so I just got back from East Coast Leather.

They are very helpful, have tonnes of great leather at good prices and I'll surely be going back next time I need more leather! I was literally running around like a kid in a candy store.

As for the strap lengths, we measured up the ones they had cut already but only got to maximum of about 1400mm (55"). Which is probably a bit short for what you're looking for.

Maybe call and talk to them, and they may be able to help you out. but there was nothing readily available there that I saw.

they also didn't have much in the way of buckles and hardware that I could see.

but I absolutely got what I was looking for, which is great quality leather for great prices. Actually picked up twice as much as I expected for my budget. And I could choose for myself, unlike mail ordering, which makes a BIG difference.

[Chain]

For buckles etc email or phone Harry for a pricelist.

http://www.mrbuckles.com.au/products.html

 

 

 

[AussieMade]

2 minutes ago, Chain said:

For buckles etc email or phone Harry for a pricelist.

http://www.mrbuckles.com.au/products.html

 

 

 

Thanks Chain, That is exactly what i am after

 

1 hour ago, Wedgetail said:

OK so I just got back from East Coast Leather.

They are very helpful, have tonnes of great leather at good prices and I'll surely be going back next time I need more leather! I was literally running around like a kid in a candy store.

As for the strap lengths, we measured up the ones they had cut already but only got to maximum of about 1400mm (55"). Which is probably a bit short for what you're looking for.

Nice, Cant wait to get down there. I ended up getting what I needed from Packer today. The length I got cut was about 2.2mt so happy with that.

Will start on the belt tomorrow and see how I go.

Thanks for looking around for me. Will have to stop in when I get back from Victoria.

[RockyAussie]

While you're in Victoria if possible check out H.Leffler and sons. They have more hardware and leather than you could imagine.

[AussieMade]

1 hour ago, RockyAussie said:

While you're in Victoria if possible check out H.Leffler and sons. They have more hardware and leather than you could imagine.

Would love to, but only there over night to pick up a car and drive back the next day

 

Also just realised it's 3hrs from where we are going

Edited August 10, 2016 by AussieMade

[JasonGwiazda]

Looks good Aussie, and nice work too Wedgetail. I've used Adelaide Leather for years as my local supplier here in SA but a guy round the corner from  me has suggested Marish Accessories for buckles and such and they seem even better on their pricing.