TandyPro Tools

[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

[jcuk]

2 hours ago, toxo said:

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.

They also closed the shop in Manchester about a year after the one in Northampton making UK customers order from Spain, again about another year later closed that one. I use go to one in Northampton very rarely if i was up that way, the staff were always good to talk to only really use go to if they had any offers, would not pay full price way over priced. I have brought tools from them many moons ago when they sold Osborne tools. The problem i have /had with some their own tools were of average quality to say the least but seemed to cost more than far better made tools from Abbey, their edge shaves compared to Abbeys is a classic example to me. Have purchased leather from them too only when on offer and i was there to select it myself even then i had to spend what seemed ages trying to find something good enough as i only used their leather for the odd job they were used to for practice pieces. Again you can get far better natural veg-tan from other places in the UK cheaper too.

The other gripe i had about them here in the UK they were charging people here like for like in Dollars against the Pound so if something cost $100 in the USA we were ask to pay a £100 no consideration to the exchange rate very naughty in my book.

To be fair their new line of tools seem/look better quality than the previous tools but the thing to remember about them they are not exclusive to Tandy so again check for cheaper else where, but have to say Tandy seem to be trying to clean up their act, for a lot of people this was and is their first introduction into the leather world not a bad thing so understand loyalty to them but not blind loyalty which they seemed to trade on at times in past hopefully they have changed that train of thought too. Will say they have lost me a as customer when they when they closed their shops over here not that i got much from them anyway but for some over here it could be a blessing in disguise making them look else where for supplies in some cases far better products and better quality at cheaper prices.

Having said all this hope this is enough to them keep around and continue to help people in their leather working journey.

As for some advice on newcomers buying new tools i know this sound odd to some but buy the best quality you afford even if this means buying less tools at first and save for more tools later good quality tools will always sell not so easy for cheap tools.

 

JCUK     

Edited November 7, 2020 by jcuk

[Spyros]

20 hours ago, Danne said:

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)

 

Geat designs.  Here's my recommendation, for many reasons: Make or order a woodworker's tool cabinet and hang it on the wall.   First google "Studley tool chest" for an extreme example, just to get an idea what is possible, and then check out "Adam Savage's leatherworking toolchest" on youtube for a much more simplified and realistic version.  You can have doors within doors, sliders, magnets strips, holders, the only limit is imagination.  It's unbelievable how many tools you can fit in those things, and when it closes it's all out of sight out of mind.   Which is also fairly important because this is also your living space, you don't want to visually clutter it too much.

Just underneath the cabinet and within arm's reach you can still make the beautiful toolholder you designed, for the most commonly used items.  You've done well with that one, now I want to make one too

Edited November 8, 2020 by Spyros

[Spyros]

19 hours ago, jcuk said:

As for some advice on newcomers buying new tools i know this sound odd to some but buy the best quality you afford even if this means buying less tools at first and save for more tools later good quality tools will always sell not so easy for cheap tools.     

You're probably right actually.  My approach with tools was always the opposite: buy a wide range of cheap to medium-cheap tools and use the crap out of them until I am 100% certain some of them just won't do, but by that time I will know what each tool does, what features are important to me, and which ones are the most meaningful to upgrade.   But that was in woodworking... woodworking is popular, and as such it has a very wide variety of tools of all qualities and prices, and as long as you don't buy the rock bottom cheapest they are all fairly capable once you've learned the basics.   From my initial selection of cheap-ish tools I only upgraded maybe 20-30%, and I'm still using most of the other ones, as I honestly didn't really find a reason to upgrade them.

Unfortunately in leatherworking this approach doesn't really seem to work.  Cheap tools are usually totally crap, a waste of time and money.  In many categories of leatherworing tools there seems to be a total lack of decent, middle-range, affordable tools.  It seems the options are either cheap crap, or high end and expensive.  So you are right in the end, I figured I may as well buy once - cry once.

Edited November 8, 2020 by Spyros

[chrisash]

To me if you buy a £30 ($40) you get all the basic tools  to find out if leather work is for you, you have some sewing tools, maybe some pricking irons, probably some stamps and mallet and so on , enough to try most things when you have no skills

You could buy a £30 mallet or a £38 set of abbey pricking irons and so on, which for most starters would be a waste of money

If you don't know what you need its easy to waste far more money than £30 on trying a new skill and leaving them all in the box after a month

It take learned skill to know what tools are a improvement on what you have, for a mechanic starting. how does he know Snap-On are better than something half the price, you learn by experience in my point of view

[jcuk]

 

1 hour ago, chrisash said:

To me if you buy a £30 ($40) you get all the basic tools  to find out if leather work is for you, you have some sewing tools, maybe some pricking irons, probably some stamps and mallet and so on , enough to try most things when you have no skills

You could buy a £30 mallet or a £38 set of abbey pricking irons and so on, which for most starters would be a waste of money

If you don't know what you need its easy to waste far more money than £30 on trying a new skill and leaving them all in the box after a month

It take learned skill to know what tools are a improvement on what you have, for a mechanic starting. how does he know Snap-On are better than something half the price, you learn by experience in my point of view

I would like think this is the point of this forum,  we come here for advice and give advice, when i finished my first piece of training i was given the option of buying some of the basic tools i would need to start out on my journey into saddlery work and repair, and there are no name tools amongst them 25 years later they still serve me well. There was a post here on Tandys tools compared to what you can buy from Abbey, it upset a member here when member here said they laughed at Tandys site at the tools that were on offer have to confess i did the same 25 years ago apart from the Osborne tools they sold at that time, (my tutor asked what i was laughing at did not tell  him even from the pictures of the tools i could tell that they were not on the quality that we were using on our training) on  that same member who it upset they give some good advice at times to people on here. I know this site is not just for the saddlery industry but i do know to do this well, it's better to have tools that are fit to do the task at hand. Also i like to think i have never tried to steer people WRONG also I  like to think that can be said of fellow members here.

My thing for good tools started with my first job when i left school,  in a traditional ironmongers where they sold top quality tools and lesser quality tools,  all were better than the tools that Tandy were passing as good tools, even tools like a screw driver that someone might use once in two tears to change a plug. 

JCUK  

[chrisash]

I think you may well have had a instructor on your course, who could point out what you needed and the failing of some makes, a great advantage many newby's do not have

[jcuk]

Again point of this forum share our knowledge i hope

 

[Spyros]

9 hours ago, chrisash said:

To me if you buy a £30 ($40) you get all the basic tools  to find out if leather work is for you, you have some sewing tools, maybe some pricking irons, probably some stamps and mallet and so on , enough to try most things when you have no skills

You could buy a £30 mallet or a £38 set of abbey pricking irons and so on, which for most starters would be a waste of money

If you don't know what you need its easy to waste far more money than £30 on trying a new skill and leaving them all in the box after a month

It take learned skill to know what tools are a improvement on what you have, for a mechanic starting. how does he know Snap-On are better than something half the price, you learn by experience in my point of view

I agree, hence my typical approach of starting with simple cheap(ish) tools until I build up the experience to understand what added features might be relevant to me and what I actually do with those tools.  Not what somebody else does, but me.  Like you said, it's a learned skill.

It's just that in leatherworking specifically, and I don't want to name names, but there are shops out there that sell cheap tools that simply don't work.  Like, at all.  I've bought punches that broke on me on the first punch, an adjustable round chisel that the adjusting screw sheared off completely first time I used it, hardware that kept locking sideways on the hand press, that sort of thing.  I don't know, maybe I was just unlucky.

But I agree the hammer/maul doesn't need to be special, for a starter's knife any box cutter/Exacto will do, any ruler will do etc.  It's just in the more specialised leatherworking tools that I find such extreme variations in quality and such a lack of affordable mid-range tools.  I know because I'm always on the look-out for such tools for myself, I don't want to have to buy high-end tools if I can.  But sometimes I just have to because there's nothing in between those and the terrible ones.

Edited November 9, 2020 by Spyros

[Tugadude]

On 11/7/2020 at 10:09 AM, Danne said:

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

I don't have any issue with the direction of the thread.  I hope folks continue to discuss. 

[TonySFLDLTHR]

On 11/5/2020 at 6:50 PM, Rhale said:

Tandy has also started selling SOME Barry King tools!

We also have been carrying BK tools for quite sometime...and a lower price point.

[Spyros]

8 hours ago, TonySFLDLTHR said:

We also have been carrying BK tools for quite sometime...and a lower price point.

Hi Tony, apologies I haven't checked yet (reasons below) but do you ship to Australia much? and which carrier do you typically use?

I generally try to avoid ordering from the US as much as possible, I've had bitter experiences with both pricing and timings, and those are things you don't really learn until you actually place an order with somebody.  Having said that, Tandy's shipping to Australia, although NOT cheap, has actually been impeccable in every other way and this has been a draw for me.  I always get my things from Tandy lightning fast, faster than some Australian shops even, and they have never used USPS on me.  If I even suspect someone might use USPS I cancel everything immediately, it has taken USPS anything between 1-3 months to actually deliver anything to me.

[LumpenDoodle2]

On 11/7/2020 at 2:57 AM, 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

I have a set of those shaped cutters, and they’re handy to have for that ‘one off’ occasion.

 

Cheap as well.

[Retswerb]

On 11/6/2020 at 6:57 PM, Spyros said:

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.

I’m curious where you (and @LumpenDoodle2) found these. I just searched various terms I thought would bring them up and while I did get some, errr, interesting results (https://www.hammacher.com/product/barber-eliminator ), I didn’t find these.

Edited November 13, 2020 by Retswerb

[fredk]

I got my set thru ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-39-pcs-Style-Hole-Hollow-Cutter-Punch-Set-For-Handmade-Leather-Craft-DIY-Tool/363027217264?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200520130048%26meid%3D32515d191e044be4b3ea2afdf2b83d33%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D8%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D133431273133%26itm%3D363027217264%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

[Spyros]

yeah ebay

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Leather-craft-24-39-shape-style-hole-hollow-punch-set-for-handmade-case-DIY-TOOL/223025242965?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[toxo]

I also have a couple of sets like this. If you're using em with an arbor press don't forget the magnet. makes it really easy to use.

[LumpenDoodle2]

Yup, ebay cheap and cheerful purchase of about 5 years ago.   Worth having in a drawer somewhere, and has been said, they work great with an arbor press, and a magnet to hold them in place.    Just don’t press too hard, as the magnet has been known to break (don’t ask me how I found that out).

[Retswerb]

Perfect, I’ll check that out!

[Spyros]

I just realised Weaver has a partnership with Jimmy Diresta as well, he just uploaded a tooled bag.  That's another smart move by Weaver, other than the obvious that the guy has a couple million subscribers, those subscribers are exactly the type of people who are very likely to pick up a few tools and give a new (to them) craft a go.   They are mostly woodworkers, metal workers and general fabricators, and like I've said before the cost of a leatherworking kit is basically nothing for this crowd, they are all tool addicts.  

[Retswerb]

Totally. Most importantly, Diresta’s followers have a maker mindset and are interested in expanding their ability to make things using all kinds of materials and tools.