uk, getting myself all confused

[leathermunchkin]

so while just starting out i am looking at all various tools across the ranges from tandy, ebay, amazon and other various places and im getting confused as to which tools are good to buy from and not to buy from and what i should buy first as there is so much to buy but unsure what kinda tools i will use as i don't wanna buy a tool ill have next to do need for 

[panku82]

Welcome to the craft! I haven't been doing this long either so I can definitely empathize with you. This can get confusing and you're going to see a lot of different opinions. Differing opinions doesn't mean they're wrong it's just what works for that individual but there is a TON of useful information here and some of it applies universally. For instance I sure wish I hadn't used Olive oil on a seat then used a water based dye!!!!!!   (Yeah I have to remake the seat all over)

First you have to know what are you looking to achieve, ie. are you tooling the leather, or making garment style articles. different styles of leatherwork require different tools obviously.

 You're going to buy tools that you almost never use, it's going to happen (at least at first you won't use them). I started with just a basic Tandy tooling kit and then started adding tools as I got to understand what I was looking to do or how I wanted the piece I was working on to look. I have found I can do a heck of a lot just using basic tools and some creativity. 

Have fun !

[Matt S]

Depends mainly on what you want to make -- car upholstery, belts, motorbike saddlebags, jackets, holsters, suitcases, wallets... I don't rate Tandy very highly. The staff at the two we have in the UK are lovely people who work hard but are limited by the parent company's pricing structure. In my experience their tools are the same as the Ivan brand which you can get at much better prices from various shops such as Le Prevo and JT Bachelor. Ebay and Amazon can both be great or terrible depending on the item -- and that really depends on experience and a bit of luck. Are there any independent leather shops that cater to hobbyists near you? If you let us know your location perhaps we can suggest one to you.

The other thing to consider is what tools do you have or can borrow that will work for leather? For example a round knife is great and much better than a Stanley knife once you've learned its use, but a Stanley knife will cut leather just fine, and you probably already have one in your toolbox. You can make belts with just a big ruler, a stanley knife, the cutting board from your kitchen, and a brad-point drill bit. Doing it neatly, beautifully or quickly however is another matter.

[alpha2]

If you're fairly certain you will be doing this for a while, my advice would be to buy the best tools you can afford. "Buy once, cry once". I'ts cheaper in the long run, than buying cheap, then realizing you will get much better results with a better quality tool. When that happens, you've already bought the cheap one, now you'll buy the better one anyway, when you could have just bought the good one in the first place. I've personally done that WAY too many times. 

Jeff

[fredk]

Get some books, maybe from the library; books like Valerie Micheal's, look at the intro and see what tools they recommend to have. From this list remove the fancy tools, some of the tools you may have in a household tool kit

I make bags, belts, hats, games, clothes and more; I have three large tool boxes filled with tools, but they've taken me over 20 years to accumulate. Build your tool kit slowly and with care and you'll only need to buy once

[bikermutt07]

This is my first recommendation to anyone.

This will give you a great idea in what you have to have. It is well written and by the time you read it you will see what you need and don't need.

There are a few options when it comes to stitching and what you are looking to accomplish.

Lacing requires thonging chisels and lace. If you aren't lacing forget these.

A stitching wheel, and a stitching groover are probably 2 things everyone buys in the beginning and then never uses again after the first month.

When it comes to saddlestiching there are several confusing options.

In the beginning buy the cheap stitching chisels on Amazon or eBay. The competition there has gotten very tough in the last six months. You can get a full set from 3mm to 6mm for about 20 bucks.

If you want to stitch small items get some .6mm thread. Medium .8mm. large 1mm.

Needle sizing is pretty confusing. But, if it fits in the hole, it will work. So, don't sweat it too much in the beginning.

When you get moving along you can move up to nicer chisels (crimson hide), or start using a pricking iron and awl.

You will need a wing divider for marking the stitching lines.

I hope this helps.

[DJole]

You should take a look at Leodis Leather's YouTube videos (done by Ian Atkinson up in the North of the UK). He discusses this very topic and points out that special dedicated leather tools are not always needed.
Here is one of his videos(The Tools You need for Leather Work):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1pAMZQpYFA

Here is another (Top 25 Recommended Leather Tools):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTfMRaVyCd4

[zuludog]

Welcome to the fun! You can be sure in the knowledge that whatever you get you'll wish you'd bought something else

It would help if you let us know what sort of things you want to make; if you have any idea of a wants list yet; and what sort of a budget you have

Your basic decision is whether to get something fairly good, and hence a bit expensive, straight away, or to get a few cheap tools to get you started. The problem with the first choice is that if you're going to be buying here & there you need a bit of knowledge & experience in the first place. My choice would be to see what you have already, or in discount & craft shops, and get the minimum of specialist tools

I don't think Tandy are as bad as people make out; you can try the stuff, and it's a convenient one stop shop.Then you can make a better decision for the future. Somewhere on one of his videos Nigel Armitage suggests starting that way

Don't forget that as well as tools you'll need gum trag, stains, and various other bits & pieces, so get a wants list together and do your sums, and it will almost certainly be worth joining their discount scheme

[leathermunchkin]

Hey guys wow im amazed at the replies haha :), i got a few books

Stohlman - The Art of Hand Sewing Leather

Lacing-and-stitching-for-leathercraft

Basic-Technics-of-leather-craft-2008

im looking at more making keyrings, wallets, key holders, phone cases and go from there :), i can't wait to get started i have been reading up about stitching and saddle stitch which seems to be what a lot of people use, i would idealy like to get into leather carving as i find it very beautiful

i was looking at thread and that confused me lmao

and what confused me is when people use a edge slicker like do they use water or something else ?

[alpha2]

I generally use water, at least at first. I also will use the slicker after I've dyed a piece. I sometimes use beeswax or a mixture including beeswax. Saddle soap will work too. Remember though, don't use something to burnish, that will prevent something else being absorbed into the leather. Like dye, stain or edge paint. Also, keep in mind that some stuff is water based, and some is "spirit" or alcohol based. Don't mix these. For instance, a alcohol based substance, then a water based finish over that. If you use a water based stain, use a water based finish, or at least one that is compatible. This can be a challenge sometimes. 

Jeff

[leathermunchkin]

i didn't know that jeff  thank you im sure thats gonna save me later on down the line :D i love this forum you are all so helpful :D

[panku82]

33 minutes ago, alpha2 said:

For instance, a alcohol based substance, then a water based finish over that. If you use a water based stain, use a water based finish, or at least one that is compatible. This can be a challenge sometimes. 

LoL, Alpha are you sure about that?!  or do you just remember my seat fiasco O.o 

BTW I did a new piece to go on my bike its a Fender Bib and is shown in SHOW OFF if you want to see it

 and Munchkin I recommend the Encyclopedia of Rawhide and Leather braiding, if you want to do braiding of any kind

 https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Rawhide-Leather-Braiding-Bruce/dp/0870331612/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521670554&sr=8-1&keywords=encyclopedia+of+leather+braiding

Edited March 21, 2018 by panku82

[zuludog]

This video is good & straightforward

Essential tools to make leather goods by Harry Rogers