garyo1954 Report post Posted December 23, 2018 Just starting out. Backstory: In 2012 I built a CNC router. Well, it was a father and so n project until son acquired a new project named girlfriend. So dad finished it. Then in 2013 I had kidney failure. The CNC router sat for months. And when I begin to feel like doing something again, I didn't want to be around the dust so I purchased a laser. I'm on dialysis and each year I give my nurses little Christmas gifts, a token of appreciation. One year it was wooden plaques with their name, and then an engraved aluminum bar, an engraved Christmas ornament, personalized wine glasses and this year, leather bracelets. I found I enjoy working with leather, more so than wood, or glasses, or acrylic. The more I look at leather, and the work I've done I see I need to develop some skills which help me bevel and dress the edges. As well as learn the proper tools to use in other areas which will help me present a more finished product. That's me. Just your normal, everyday dialysis patient who want to learn laser and leather as a hobby. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted December 23, 2018 Welcome aboard. I have found better leather burnishes a lot easier than cheaper leather. Watch some learnleather.com and Don Gonzales videos. Also, Leodis Leather and Armitage Leather videos are staples in the community. Good luck with the kidneys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garyo1954 Report post Posted December 24, 2018 10 hours ago, bikermutt07 said: Welcome aboard. I have found better leather burnishes a lot easier than cheaper leather. Watch some learnleather.com and Don Gonzales videos. Also, Leodis Leather and Armitage Leather videos are staples in the community. Good luck with the kidneys. Sounds like a plan. I'll get to it. Been watching youtube videos of tools, wallets, belts, a strop, etc until my eyes get bleary. Dropped by the library and picked up a couple of books. This morning I spent identifying the stamps that came in a Caydo kit. Not sure how much stamping I'll do but I'll try. Not even sure that I know what each stamp is for but I know what they are, and tested them to see what the impressions look like. Decided I needed to order a swivel knife, strap cutter, circular knife and possibly a skiving tool. (Surprised the swivel knife wasn't included in the kit.) The leather I've been using is natural tooling leather 6-8 ounce from Silver Creek at Realeather.com. Bought it at Hobby Lobby. What else you got? Hour ago I stunned myself by finally (after a couple of hours) completed a three strand magic braid. LOL G Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted December 24, 2018 If you want I have extras of all those tools you mentioned. Strap cutter, inexpensive swivel knife, super skiver, and rotary knife. I'll cut you a great deal on it. No worries just an offer. P.S. I haven't made a mystery braid yet. Haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
