TandyPro Tools

[Danne]

4 minutes ago, Spyros said:

wow, that last one...

I mean if you need it you need it, right?  Problem is I don't really, I hardly ever cut such big holes.  And when I do need one or two odd-shape holes I have this cheap set of cutters, I pick the one i need, hold a piece of wood over it and give it a good smack.  Does the trick.

KS Blades... I love the chisels i bought from them, but for hole punches it's probably overkill.  Plus it took a very long time to make and receive from Korea.

I like the ones you linked on Etsy, they have a good shape.  Hmmmmm

That kit with punches look nice.

Regarding round hole punches, i've also heard good things about this one from Kevinlee.

https://www.kevinleathertools.com/products/hexagonal-handle-black-round-holeunch-set-14cs

[Spyros]

11 minutes ago, Danne said:

That kit with punches look nice.

Regarding round hole punches, i've also heard good things about this one from Kevinlee.

https://www.kevinleathertools.com/products/hexagonal-handle-black-round-holeunch-set-14cs

Nah, too many punches for me, I only really use 5 or 6.  Plus too many features I don't want to pay for: Hexagonal handle (don't care, I've made built in bins for my bench specifically so things don't roll around), black finish to prevent rusting (don't care, no humidity where I am, never had any tool rust on me), sharpening & polishing (don't care, I do those things myself), wooden rack (keep it, I'm a woodworker)

This one however is just perfect:

https://www.kevinleathertools.com/products/basic-hole-punch-set-1

I just ordered it actually, I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives

Thanks for the tips!

Edited November 7, 2020 by Spyros

[Danne]

3 minutes ago, Spyros said:

Nah, too many punches for me, I only really use 5 or 6.  Plus too many features I don't want to pay for: Hexagonal handle (don't care, I've made built in bins for my bench specifically so things don't roll around), black finish to prevent rusting (don't care, no humidity where I am, never had any tool rust on me), sharpening & polishing (don't care, I do those things myself), wooden rack (keep it, I'm a woodworker)

This one however is just perfect:

https://www.kevinleathertools.com/products/basic-hole-punch-set-1

I just ordered it actually, I'll let you know what it's like when it arrives

Thanks for the tips!

Yes, please update me when you have tried them. I'm not looking for "fancy" nice looking tools, I just want them to do the job. And also plan to build a storage solution in wood for tools. 

[Spyros]

30 minutes ago, Danne said:

Yes, please update me when you have tried them. I'm not looking for "fancy" nice looking tools, I just want them to do the job. And also plan to build a storage solution in wood for tools. 

Ahhh if we were closer by I'd propose a swap: make me a wallet and I'll make you  a nice tool holder from Huon pine and Tasmanian blackwood

Unfortunately it would cost an arm and a leg to ship to Sweden, doesn't make sense  

 

For the punches, it's really the high carbon steel and the shape of the tip i was looking for, that's all I need.   I can tell from the colours he has hardened the tips so the guy obviously knows what he's doing and has a good rep generally, and the price is right, so yeah it's probably worth taking a punt.  But I'll let you know when I receive them.

Edited November 7, 2020 by Spyros

[Spyros]

Danne, about toolholders: I used to make toolholders for every single tool, but over the years I realised they sound (and look) much better than they actually are.  The thing is, tools change all the time, you can never predict exactly what shape and size holders and holes you will need, and sooner or later you end up with tools that you have nowhere to put, and then you end up permanently building new holders.  Also they're just not practical, you have to reach over for your tools, and then to put it back you have to remember what goes where and which hole is for which etc. 

I don't know if you've seen my workspace thread but this is my solution for storing everyday things and keeping them from rolling around:

I have another strip like that on the left hand side of the white HDPE, I just can't find a photo right now.  Just some wooden borders, that's it.   As long as you can bolt them down somehow on your bench/desk/table so they are stable, that's all you need really.  But the main thing is they are right next to my hand, and when I finish with a tool I just drop it back in without thinking.  And they're also very low, so if I have to roll a hide over them to cut it they are not a problem.  Add some magnet strips on the wall for whatever can go on the wall and you're done.  I've had workshops all my life and I found those are the most practical and space saving solutions.   Toolholders look nice but they're really just a pain in the butt.

 

[fredk]

1. on Tandy tools. I bought some of their fancy hole punches, eg the rotary pliers type with interchangeable punches and the one with a pointy thingy and a disc to make small holes (and other tools). Both are the best punches I've owned. Previously I'd used other makes, expensive ones and after a short time they were scrap, but not the Tandy ones. Last year I stocked up on Tandy tooling / carving stamps. The ones I got are just grand. I don't do much tooling so they suit me just fine. I did buy some more expensive stamps from a certain maker. Sent them all back for a refund as they all had bent handles and on some the end piece was brazed on at an angle.

2. I have that multiple mini punch set that Spyros shows.  I use it with my press. Its brilliant for my sort of stuff. I've also bought (2 off now) a set of larger circular stamps of this type. I needed certain sizes of oval so two of the circles were squeezed to make them

3. my regular hole punches are separated into blocks of sizes and lay in plastic boxes in one of my tool chests. The tooling stamps are all held in these blocks meant for paintbrushes. I had to drill out some of the lager holes for the larger diameter bars on some stamps

[toxo]

On 11/6/2020 at 1:01 PM, Tugadude said:

The tools appear to be the identical price, at least when I looked at the site.  There is mention of free shipping however.

 

Edit:  I've never understood the attitudes of some members of this forum regarding Tandy.  Perhaps they have had problems with Tandy in the past and it has left a bad taste in their mouths?  Personally, even if that is true there is a time at which you have to admit that it isn't the same Tandy.  New leadership, website, pricing structure, products, etc., etc.  No comparison to "the old Tandy" really.

I'd love someone to explain to me how shooting them down at every turn, predicting their demise, etc., etc. helps the leatherworking community.  Shouldn't we all want them to succeed?  Wouldn't that be a sign of a healthy industry?  

Well said Tug.

Tandy doesn't figure in my leather world. Here in the UK they've closed all but one store and that one is too far. But as you say, if they're trying to pick up they'll need peeps to give them a chance. I'm willing to bet there's a few peeps around who owe them something for the help they got when starting out.

[Danne]

12 hours ago, Spyros said:

Danne, about toolholders: I used to make toolholders for every single tool, but over the years I realised they sound (and look) much better than they actually are.  The thing is, tools change all the time, you can never predict exactly what shape and size holders and holes you will need, and sooner or later you end up with tools that you have nowhere to put, and then you end up permanently building new holders.  Also they're just not practical, you have to reach over for your tools, and then to put it back you have to remember what goes where and which hole is for which etc. 

I don't know if you've seen my workspace thread but this is my solution for storing everyday things and keeping them from rolling around:

I have another strip like that on the left hand side of the white HDPE, I just can't find a photo right now.  Just some wooden borders, that's it.   As long as you can bolt them down somehow on your bench/desk/table so they are stable, that's all you need really.  But the main thing is they are right next to my hand, and when I finish with a tool I just drop it back in without thinking.  And they're also very low, so if I have to roll a hide over them to cut it they are not a problem.  Add some magnet strips on the wall for whatever can go on the wall and you're done.  I've had workshops all my life and I found those are the most practical and space saving solutions.   Toolholders look nice but they're really just a pain in the butt.

 

I like your storage solution. For me the important part is to get some of my most used tools away from my bench and up on the wall because my work area is very limited- but yes I agree with you, it's also good to have a storage solution that allows new tools tools. I have made some drawings of a wall tool holder with both holes for tools like edge bevelers, hole punches, awls and such. But also a hidden magnet behind leather for skiving knives and other tools. I just need to buy some woodworking tools. I got away with using a handheld drill and a plastic miter saw box for making my stitching pony, but now I need some more tools like a handheld router, some good wood drills (have access to a drillpress) and a decent quality chisel set. To not go more off-topic here. I can show photos in dm of my storage solution plans. And more ideas for wall storage is also welcome of course. So if you feel like discussing it more just dm me

[Spyros]

Ι think it's a shame to stop an interesting discussion that others might be interested in just because of bureaucracy issues, like not being the correct thread etc... who cares. I don't care, but hey, I'm Greek.  We are a bit random like that

 

[Danne]

36 minutes ago, Spyros said:

Ι think it's a shame to stop an interesting discussion that others might be interested in just because of bureaucracy issues, like not being the correct thread etc... who cares. I don't care, but hey, I'm Greek.  We are a bit random like that

 

This is the work area I have now. And this photo is not new so there are even more tools. 

 

This is a quick drawing of the style of tool holder, but it's not finished yet. I will make it longer and add more holes for more types of tools. Translation from top to bottom (It's in Swedish) Cork for awls, magnet strip, leather.

This is my plan, and I will need to find good solutions for storing most things on the wall, maybe a shelf for glue jars, electric creaser, everything I can do to free up space to work on. (To the left of the cabinet I will mount a skiving machine) And to the left in the photo is leather storage (Card paper rolls, I think they are used to cast concrete, and are available in a lot of different dimensions so seems to be perfect for leather storage)

Edited November 7, 2020 by Danne