Hello from Melbourne, Australia

[Spyros]

Hi all,

My name is Spyro, I do some woodworking just for the pleasure of it, and trying to get into leatherworking for pretty much the same reason 

I thought I'd share my first steps here before I start bombarding people with questions about leather 

First thing I tried to do was complete a set of basic hand tools (buy or make) and then make some sort of tool box to put them in.

I started by making a stitching pony, because I saw some really nice designs on etsy I think, and it looked nice and very important for some reason LOL

 Then I made a few awls and an HDPE maul.  I know I'm really fussy about hammers and mallets, so I ended up drilling a bigger and bigger hole in it and kept adding metal washers until it had exactly the weight and balance that suited my hand

turned out ok in the end, but most importantly it hits well.

I made some other little things from wood and brass, some burnishing tools, a little brass hammer and roller etc.  

I'm not much of a metal worker, probably for the best or I'd still be making tools LOL

Then came the tool box.  I'm planning to keep leatherworking out of the shed because it's really dusty in there, so I had to make something kinda presentable for in the house, and this is what I came up with 

(that little knob thing is just some buttons cast in epoxy and turned on the lathe.  I'm still deciding on drawer handles)

 

So yeah, so far I'm having a lot of fun with this leatherworking thing without even doing any actual leatherworking LOL

But I have started making a tote, and I'll post it here soon for you guys to laugh at

in the meantime if anyone wants to make any of that stuff in the photos and is wondering how, please feel free to ask!    

All the best, Spyro

[Northmount]

Welcome to the world of leather!  Keep having fun!

Tom

 

[DJole]

That's some lovely work on the stitching pony and tool chest! Looks like you're having a grand time and keeping busy. 
Next step-- put down the wood tools and pick up some leather! 
Welcome to the forum.

[Spyros]

Thank you

[Kenzo]

Awesome!!!

[Spyros]

Thanks!

Ok so here's my first finished project. 

I picked the leather pretty much randomly online, based on the photo only as I didn't really know what I was doing and I had to start somewhere.  It said "Bowden combination tan milled side" but I don't know what any of that means, if anyone can explain that would be great.  I know it has a oil/wax pull up sort of feel to it and it's supposed to be 2.2mm thick, although it felt like more.  But I like how it looked in the picture and I like it in person as well.  It's kinda stretchy though which made it a bit of a nightmare to skive by hand (or maybe I'm just bad at skiving).  I did go right through it with the skiving knife at some point leaving a 10mm gash, I packed it with glue and decided to take my chances with it.  So far you cant even see it but lets see how it holds overtime.  Other than the skiving I really enjoyed making it, the Mrs merrily confiscated it (initially it was earmarked as a present for someone else), and it taught me a lot.

In terms of patters, I didn't use any because I want to force myself to start designing my own stuff.  That's kind of the whole point of leatherworking for me, I've bought a lot of backpacks, camera bags, duffel bags etc in my life, and I always wanted to change something to make it better.  So here's my chance, I just have to learn how to do it.

  Now I can't wait to start something else

 

[toxo]

Well done. It looks like you've found something that suits your brain. I predict lots of satisfaction and swearing in your future.

[Alden]

Mate that is major prep work on the tools and organisation. Amazing. Combining a good set of skills too.

You should head off to Leffler and Sons near Footscrazy and NSW Leather (Colingwood?)to speak to someone about leather hides.

I used to live in Melbourne.

Edited May 23, 2020 by Alden
loaction edit

[Spyros]

2 hours ago, Alden said:

Mate that is major prep work on the tools and organisation. Amazing. Combining a good set of skills too.

You should head off to Leffler and Sons near Footscrazy and NSW Leather (Colingwood?)to speak to someone about leather hides.

I used to live in Melbourne.

On my to do list, as soon as they open from COVID, I don't think there's another leathercraft shop in the whole city anyway.  They're expensive though.

Thanks!

[Alden]

if you become a member at Leffler it is cheaper.They do have scrap bins with various leathers including kangaroo which is perfect for watch straps and wallets etc. Strapping for belts even Sedgwick  bridle .

Yeah if your doing a leather Tote bag then you'll be up for a hide and that starts at around 150AUD!

watch straps are great for practice and use very little leather while really challenging you