Members Dun Posted May 11, 2017 Members Report Posted May 11, 2017 Looking through and trying to absorb as much as I can, especially from threads like but I wanted to ask for some specific questions. Links to specific recommendations would be great since I'm not familiar with brands, tanneries and types. I'm still very new and have very little to actually spend on leather so can't afford "you get what you pay for" kind of quality, so I'm keeping an eye out for deals. -Love the veg tan non-tooled( just oiled, conditioned and satin sheen golden brown patina) look. Does it have to be higher end tooling veg tan? Can I save some money on non tooling leather? Want enough to do a couple prototype briefcases while learning. -is 3-4 oz okay for briefcase/purses once it has 3 layers built up? Am I saving money by getting thinner veg tan? -Do you have an (economy?) veg tan you would recommend to learn tooling on? Cheap-ish leaning to do some "for family only" projects. Thanks, Mike Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted May 12, 2017 Contributing Member Report Posted May 12, 2017 I never recommend getting "economy" leather. Tooled or not, the better leather looks better every time, and it's easier to work with. And there isn't much "economy' in it anyway.. since the price isn't much difference and the waste is far more, so the "economy" may in fact be costing you MORE. Seriously,if you could find some place to "save" you $2 / foot less, you're still only talking about $40 more for the GOOD stuff! My wife used to get sucked into those "gimmick" pricing things... drive clear across town because there's a filling station advertising 10¢ off per gallon. Didn't compute that with a 20-gallon tank, they just got you to drive CLEAR across town to "save" $2 (and burned up that much going to get it). Yes, 3 layers of 3/4 is heavy enough for a case, absolutely. Some places, thinner leather is a few pennies less money. But if you're laminating it, the "savings" is eaten up in the extra leather. At Hermann Oak, the price is the same from 2/3 oz up to 8 oz. Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members Dun Posted May 12, 2017 Author Members Report Posted May 12, 2017 18 hours ago, JLSleather said: I never recommend getting "economy" leather. Tooled or not, the better leather looks better every time, and it's easier to work with. And there isn't much "economy' in it anyway.. since the price isn't much difference and the waste is far more, so the "economy" may in fact be costing you MORE. Seriously,if you could find some place to "save" you $2 / foot less, you're still only talking about $40 more for the GOOD stuff! My wife used to get sucked into those "gimmick" pricing things... drive clear across town because there's a filling station advertising 10¢ off per gallon. Didn't compute that with a 20-gallon tank, they just got you to drive CLEAR across town to "save" $2 (and burned up that much going to get it). Yes, 3 layers of 3/4 is heavy enough for a case, absolutely. Some places, thinner leather is a few pennies less money. But if you're laminating it, the "savings" is eaten up in the extra leather. At Hermann Oak, the price is the same from 2/3 oz up to 8 oz. $2 a foot doesn't sound like much of a save, but I'm hurting enough monetarily that $40 actually does sound good??? Maybe I just need to find a similar colored, but not tooling quality, leather? No idea where to start there. Thanks! By the bye, what isn't heavy enough for a case "Laminating"? Thanks again. I hope I don't sound like I'm not wanting to take your advice, I'm just a maximizer and like to know all options and mistakes before I make them. Mike Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted May 12, 2017 Contributing Member Report Posted May 12, 2017 No offense taken -- each his own. As a rule, leather thickness for cases is dictated by teh size of the case and what it will contain, with larger and heavier items held in cases of heavier leather. For a small binder or portfolio type case (8.5x11" paper) I wouldn't use less than 6/7 oz, and more likely 8 or even 9 oz. Laminating, or layering, 3 layers of 3/4 would certainly be heavy enough to do that. Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members Dun Posted May 16, 2017 Author Members Report Posted May 16, 2017 On 5/12/2017 at 0:58 PM, JLSleather said: No offense taken -- each his own. As a rule, leather thickness for cases is dictated by teh size of the case and what it will contain, with larger and heavier items held in cases of heavier leather. For a small binder or portfolio type case (8.5x11" paper) I wouldn't use less than 6/7 oz, and more likely 8 or even 9 oz. Laminating, or layering, 3 layers of 3/4 would certainly be heavy enough to do that. Thanks! Do you have any specific leather suggestions for some of the project types I've shown here- or should I really just be investing in some Hermann Oak Veg Tan? Quote
Members cjartist Posted May 16, 2017 Members Report Posted May 16, 2017 My best suggestion would be to just start shopping around. Some tanneries and suppliers run banner ads here. I really don't think you need Herman Oak if that is outside of your price range. Start with some less expensive stuff then decide for yourself. If you have a Tandy near you, go for a visit and look through their inventory. They are not the cheapest and there are a lot of problems with some of their stuff but if you can see it in person, it should help greatly. Plus they are always running sales and you may find just what you need. Quote Check out my Unique Marketing Strategy and see if it might also work for you to get paid for your art.
Members Dun Posted May 16, 2017 Author Members Report Posted May 16, 2017 1 hour ago, cjartist said: My best suggestion would be to just start shopping around. Some tanneries and suppliers run banner ads here. I really don't think you need Herman Oak if that is outside of your price range. Start with some less expensive stuff then decide for yourself. If you have a Tandy near you, go for a visit and look through their inventory. They are not the cheapest and there are a lot of problems with some of their stuff but if you can see it in person, it should help greatly. Plus they are always running sales and you may find just what you need. Thanks. Everything I've done so far is from tandy sales(and using skinned couch leather as liner/prototype filler). I guess another thing I don't trust is my own eyes. I'm partially color blind which is why specific recommendations are greatly appreciated because then I don't have to guess. Quote
Members Dun Posted May 23, 2017 Author Members Report Posted May 23, 2017 Leatherworker dot net, what are some of your preferred milled/tumbled type leathers? Quote
Members cjartist Posted May 23, 2017 Members Report Posted May 23, 2017 10 hours ago, Dun said: Leatherworker dot net, what are some of your preferred milled/tumbled type leathers? I have been using a lot of the Tandy milled shoulders. Cost is around $50 or $60, and I really like it in the 5-6 oz variety. Tools very well for me. Quote Check out my Unique Marketing Strategy and see if it might also work for you to get paid for your art.
Members Dun Posted May 23, 2017 Author Members Report Posted May 23, 2017 2 hours ago, cjartist said: I have been using a lot of the Tandy milled shoulders. Cost is around $50 or $60, and I really like it in the 5-6 oz variety. Tools very well for me. Does it also dye and burnish like regular veg tan? Quote
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