Recommend a tool you like that is not mainly used for leathercraft

[Danne]

I start with a recommendation. 

Small silicone brushes. I use them both with waterbased and solvent based glues. I haven't used them a lot yet so can't answer how they will hold up against solvent based glue. But I usually wipe them off directly after I have applied glue.

[LatigoAmigo]

Nice thread @Danne.

I had been giving thought to using a magic marker to apply color to my edges, but felt the available colors too limiting. Plus, I wondered if the water based colors used in magic markers might not hold up over time. Then, while visiting an art store, I found these refillable markers which can be used with any alcohol based dyes. Have been very happy with the results.

[Danne]

5 minutes ago, LatigoAmigo said:

Nice thread @Danne.

I had been giving thought to using a magic marker to apply color to my edges, but felt the available colors too limiting. Plus, I wondered if the water based colors used in magic markers might not hold up over time. Then, while visiting an art store, I found these refillable markers which can be used with any alcohol based dyes. Have been very happy with the results.

That seems like an awesome solution. 

[Handstitched]

"Recommend a tool you like that is not mainly used for leathercraft" 

I use large 5mm square or ' O' rings instead of a bone folder to mold cases etc. I use the  curved wood handles on my  bevellers  instead of a slicker  to burnish ( ideal for tight curves & corners, holes etc. ) 

I use an old dried out  biro  or the tip of a pencil , dipped in dye for intricate details, instead of a brush. 

I use Q tips ( ear buds) for gluing  small  leather items, detailed parts etc.  .  They're disposable and cheap as . 

Does that count? 

HS

[jcuk]

I use wooden Golf tees for burnishing buckle tongue slots had the same ones for 25 years, also use a ski/snowboard scraper to help finish some edges to hide the join on some pieces of work cost £4.

JCUK

Edited November 30, 2020 by jcuk

[Sheilajeanne]

I use popsicle sticks for spreading glue!  

I also use a dried up ball point pen for transferring patterns from tracing paper to leather. Handstitched, that's what you call a Biro, right?

Edited November 30, 2020 by Sheilajeanne

[Lobo]

Probably the most useful tool in the shop was always a bench-top drill press. Used as a drill to remove broken snaps or rivets. Various size drum sanders for edge dressing. Chuck in a hard felt polishing bob for edge burnishing. I can't think of a single tool that did so many things or was used more often.

[Handstitched]

16 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

use popsicle sticks for spreading glue!  

I also use a dried up ball point pen for transferring patterns from tracing paper to leather. Handstitched, that's what you call a Biro, right?

Yep, spot on  .  I like the popsicle stick idea .  

HS

[Sheilajeanne]

Lobo, wish I had a drill press!  Have tried using a regular drill for burnishing - didn't work very well!

If I were handier with woodworking, I'd likely be able to make a stand for the drill, and that would make things easier.

[327fed]

I use fired rifle brass for punches. When they get dull or bent I toss them and get another. .223 best for Chicago screws. 

[chiefjason]

toothbrush handle for molding holsters.  

Drill press gets lots of use.  Biggest one is probably chucking an awl in there and pre punching holes to hand stitch.  

Heat gun to dry glue and apply wax.

I use scrap leather to spread glue.

I use a 1" punch and a smaller punch for the center of the leather washers I make from scrap.  I use a lot for IWB holsters.  

[Handstitched]

17 hours ago, Sheilajeanne said:

Lobo, wish I had a drill press!  Have tried using a regular drill for burnishing - didn't work very well!

I had an idea of using an old sewing machine motor, fitted with a wood slicker  and with a pedal  as a burnisher .  I keep checking S/H markets etc for old machine motors. However, I do have some old motors  in one of my sheds, with shafts on either side, that ran fans in  old tape or drum  drive computers ' back in the day'   that would be ideal for  burnishers ....I just need to find them....they're in a box in one of my sheds....somewhere     

HS

[Spyros]

The most used thing in my leatherworking / woodworking shop is bbq skewers (up the top in the photo).  I always make sure to have dozens.

You know sometimes when you drill a hole in wood, and the hole is a couple of mm from when you wanted it to be?  and when you try to drill in the correct spot, your drill bit keeps falling in the existing hole?  The only solution is to stick a BBQ skewer in the hole, break it, and there you go, the hole is filled and you can drill wherever you want.

Other than that I use them to mix and stir things like paint or 2 part epoxy or my favourite carnauba cream and dye mix, to apply or clean glue, to poke and mark things like an awl, to reach in tight places where my fingers can't go, and I also  use them as spacers, shims, tweezers, toothpicks, pointers, measuring sticks, rulers, chopsticks and backscratchers :D

They're basically an extension of my fingers at this point, the only thing I've never used them as is actual BBQ skewers

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by Spyros

[AndyL1]

On 11/29/2020 at 12:14 PM, Danne said:

That seems like an awesome solution. 

I use these as well and yes, they are awesome!

[Retswerb]

Someone on here a while ago mentioned liking the Swann Morton scalpel, I picked one up and definitely agree. It’s an oddly comfortable handle and works well for tiny curves and detail cutting.

[Arturomex]

I have an oscillating sander that gets a lot of use. It will run with a 24 inch belt or drums up to 2 inches in diameter.  I made a little dust collection system that picks the dust up as it comes off the belt or drum that goes into a shop vac. And while on vacuums, I bought one of those little rechargeable hand held vacuums that gets more use than I thought it would. It's great for keeping my work surfaces dust and debris free.

I bought a cheap variable speed bench grinder with plans to use it as a burnisher. It was sold to me as a half inch shaft with 7/16 threads. Turns out it's actually threaded to 12mm which doesn't work with what I had planned. The vendor won't take a return so I use it with soft buffing wheels for my cutting edges. Works great.

Regards,

Arturo

[TonyV]

I use a plastic stylus for tracing patterns and folding. 2 different ends lends flexibility.

A variable speed dremel  has a few uses from sanding to burnishing.

[Blackjack21]

Klein Tools #23015 single serrated blade blunt shear

the very best way to hand cut heavy leather

[battlemunky]

Ball. Peen. Hammer!!!!!

I love it. I've polished both faces so I can peen and tap down stitches with the flat face.

[Handstitched]

@battlemunky I have used the ball on my polished  ball peen hammer to  slightly thin out  leather just around the hole  when its just a tad too thick( or the stems are tad too short)  when fitting some  press studs , not the normal thing to do, but it works    

HS 

[kgg]

My favourite tool would be my 3D printers. If I need something to make things more convenient or easier I design it and print it: Some of my design are:

i) Always hated having to hold on the end of the bobbin thread to get started, particularly the front mounted Juki 1541S. I hated having to babysit the end of the thread or it would flop all over the place and then having to cut the extra thread flush with the bobbin. I so designed on for the front side mounted and the pulley driven winder.

ii) Needed my scissors and or snips, loaded bobbins, needles, and screwdriver where I needed them, at the front of the machine.

iii) Needed a better 3 spool rank for my top thread that prevents thread from uncoiling under the spools particularly when I occasionally use cheap no name thread.

iv) Wanted to be able to use my inexpensive binders made for flatbeds on my cylinder bed so I wouldn't have to change the feed dog and housing every time I needed to bind the edge of something.

v) Wanted a close to zero pull platter for all my machines for that would self centre spools of up to 13 inches in diameter and 2" wide binding as well as spools of cording.

vi) Wanted a better way of doing small runs (up to 40') of binding and that I could use the existing bobbin thread winder to wind it on a large bobbin which is mounted on the front of the machine table for my flatbeds.

vii) Needed a small flat attachment for the cylinder bed machine that slips over the nose of the cylinder and attaches with three bolts.

kgg

Edited January 29, 2021 by kgg
forgot item

[tsunkasapa]

My framing square and a drywall square.

[Bert03241]

I would say My Dremel , I use it to drill stitching holes, drum sander  for edges. Burnish edges, rough edges for glueing.  

[DustinSmith]

I buy packs of printer size cardstock from Walmart, the heaviest weight they have, I use it to draw patterns, trace patterns onto the leather, make prototypes for proper fitment. Since its such heavy weight you can use it over and over again before you have to throw it away because the pen broke through, I have an entire drawer full of patterns that I use daily

[acope]

Quilters rulers.  https://www.omnigrid.com/quilting-sewing-supplies/rulers/omnigrid-standard-rulers/

They have many sizes, are clear so you can see what you are measuring.

I use them anytime I need to make 90 degree cuts.