thickness gauge for leather

[Silvyr]

I'm just starting off and lets face it, I'm not using the best quality of leather its belly and scraps and whatever till i feel confident to use the sides I ordered online. So my question to yall is where do i buy or which thickness gauge is decent enough for leather. I wanna have a rough approx of its thickness so i can plan projects accordingly. But i'm also worried that if i buy a $10 off ebay itll explode after 2 uses.

[tsunkasapa]

Frankly, I wouldn't waste my money. In 40+ years I've never used one or felt the need for one. YMMV

[fredk]

I use one of these;

cost me about £3.50. Does the job

[Hardrada]

I use digital caliphers.

[zuludog]

I make mostly belts, wallets, and knife sheaths, using a range of leather thickness from just over 1mm to about 3,5mm, and I've never needed to measure the exact thickness, you just get a feel for it. If you buy from a decent supplier the figures they give you are consistent

But if you're keen you could just get a cheap micrometer, or something like this

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/802904466/leathercraft-thickness-gauge?ref=shop_home_active_9&frs=1

This might be useful; there are several similar charts on t'Net

Leather Thickness and Leather Ounces Guide (weaverleathersupply.com)

Search YouTube for Measuring Leather Thickness; Choosing Leather Thickness, and so on; there are several videos

Edited November 29, 2021 by zuludog

[billybopp]

I use an acrylic gauge similar to the one that @zuludog posted from etsy.   Works great, very simple.  I found similar on ebay, but they are marked in mm rather than oz.

- Bill

[PastorBob]

28 minutes ago, billybopp said:

I use an acrylic gauge similar to the one that @zuludog posted from etsy.   Works great, very simple.  I found similar on ebay, but they are marked in mm rather than oz.

- Bill

I have calipers, micrometers, and a handy acrylic gauge I picked up at Springfield Leather.  They are $3-4 bucks.

[JayEhl]

I bought this one from Tandy and I use it all the time:

https://tandyleather.eu/products/leather-thickness-gauge

The site link above is Tandy Europe.  I tried a site search for Tandy US but couldn't find it.   I see you're in Texas.  If you're near H-town I found mine on the west side Tandy store 

 

[Hardrada]

Rocky Mountain Leather Supply and Buckleguy sell Calati gauges. Not cheap, though.

I got one of the wooden gauges sold by Tandy: it's good for a rough idea, but if you're skiving or paring leathers to precise thicknesses—for things like watchbands, fine wallets, et al—you definitely need a gauge or calipers.

[Squilchuck]

I use one like fredk showed. Works great.