Leather Tools

**Burly Brute** · 28th February 11, 02:10 PM

Would this be a good site for tools/etc?

If not, what would you recommend?

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/home.aspx

**Father Bill** · 28th February 11, 02:36 PM

I've had some excellent success with the company. They have been polite and sensible, and the equipment is of good quality. I've been able to produce everything I've wanted using their materials.

**Andy Ternay** · 28th February 11, 08:27 PM

i'd second Father Bill's recommendation; I have always had good luck at Tandy Leather. Depending on the franchise you can also find very knowledgable employees in their retail locations.

**Nighthawk** · 28th February 11, 08:57 PM

I'm on a first-name basis with the staff at my local Tandy. This is a really good starter set:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/s...s/8170-00.aspx

I will be, throughout the summer, posting photo tutorials on basics like edge finishing and simple texturing, carving, and dying on my FaceBook page, so if you have and FB account, you can befriend me and watch them. The first will be live in the next day or two. I'm here:

http://www.facebook.com/RSLeather

EDIT- the tutorial is up!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...00002109169454

**Burly Brute** · 1st March 11, 12:12 AM

Ohhh I am definitely checking that out!

**AKScott** · 1st March 11, 12:31 AM

I use mostly Tandy stuff.

Start with the basic stitching needles. I still use them for lots of things. Once you get going and find your self in tight spots, then you will have the needle epiphany. I now have a selection of curved matress needles, and a stock of glover's needles. For basic straight line stitching, the original stitching needles are the way to go.

When you find yourself near a bunch of sailboats, look for a sailmaker's shop and take a look around. Likewise, and more likely in Arizona, once you get a little experience go hang out with a saddle maker for a little while.

Harness makers aren't very thick on the ground much of anywhere anymore, I count myself lucky to number one among my mentors.

**budd4766** · 1st March 11, 05:35 AM

Tandy is always a good place to start. I do most all the leather work I want to do with tools and supplies from Tandy, with few exceptions. About 99% of my tools came from Tandy. My wife manages a store for them, (Memphis), so I'm sort of "connected", I guess you'd say.

Most stores have great, helpful staff who will work with you for lessons, tips, tricks, most anything to help you learn as you're getting into the craft. Plus, there are guys on here who do quite a bit of hide pounding who'd be more than willing to help where we can as well. You can check out my facebook page if you're interested and see some of the stuff I've done:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/L...eather?sk=wall

**Nighthawk** · 1st March 11, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by budd4766

Tandy is always a good place to start. I do most all the leather work I want to do with tools and supplies from Tandy, with few exceptions. About 99% of my tools came from Tandy. My wife manages a store for them, (Memphis), so I'm sort of "connected", I guess you'd say.

Most stores have great, helpful staff who will work with you for lessons, tips, tricks, most anything to help you learn as you're getting into the craft. Plus, there are guys on here who do quite a bit of hide pounding who'd be more than willing to help where we can as well. You can check out my facebook page if you're interested and see some of the stuff I've done:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/L...eather?sk=wall

Listen to Budd! He does beautiful work! And I am jealous of your connection...

**Tobus** · 1st March 11, 02:12 PM

Tandy is indeed a decent place to start. But all the people I know who have done leatherwork for a living say that their tools are cheap and the quality control is pretty poor. Specifically with stamping tools. I've seen my wife throw more than one half-finished piece of tooling in the trash out of frustration from Tandy tools.

Granted, this is something most people won't even notice unless they spend years and years making a living with those tools. But as I understand it, the quality has gone down over the years. I don't know if it's because they're still making their tools from the same worn-out molds or what. But Craftool (which is what Tandy sells) is considered more of a "budget" low-end tool these days.

I just called the saddle shop my wife works at, and the old feller that runs the place (who has been tooling leather for nigh on 60 years) tells me that Hidecrafters sells much better quality tools at affordable prices, at about $9 per tool. Incidentally, they have better quality leather than Tandy as well. Some of the higher-end tool makers are Jeremiah Watt and Barry King. Those will be up around $65.

**budd4766** · 1st March 11, 03:31 PM

If you're just getting started, it doesn't make sense to pay $9 per tool...because you'll get a LOT of tools before it's over. I have hundreds. Yes, Tandy may have some quality issues at times, but the fact is, they're the very reason a lot of people get into leather work at all...they make it easy and affordable.

I've been doing leather work for about 3 years now, and I've had very few problems with Tandy or their tools. And, I've never had a problem trading a tool in if I did have a problem with it. In my opinion, for the money, you'd be hard pressed to beat 'em. After you learn what you're doing, you might want to "upgrade" to better tools...but I personally haven't had a need to as of yet.