Leather Supplier and Type

**Sean_the_Kilted** · 28th March 07, 03:55 AM

I'm wanting to get into making leather things (belts, sporrans, etc..) but I don't know anything really about leather or where to get it. What type and thickness do you guys recomend for specially belts and sporrans? I was looking for belt blanks online and I haven't found anywhere that sells blanks wider than 2 inches. I would like one in the 2 1/4 to 3 inch range. Finally what general list of tools do you recomend to have on hand? A Hay (or anyone one else living in germany) where do you get your leather in Germany? I know its alot of random questions, but I thought it might make for an interesting and informative thread. Thanks

Sean

**Tartan Hiker** · 28th March 07, 05:41 AM

Surely somewhere in your area there will be a leatherworking shop...try a saddle / horse tack shop. They will be able to cut a strap any width for you. Leather in the 8-11 oz range is best for belts. If you are just starting out with leather work, check the Tandy leather company for starter kits that contain the basic tools you'll need.

Here's the one I started with and I highly recommend it.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/p...umber=11189-00

Good luck. Leather work is as addictive as kilting!

**cavscout** · 28th March 07, 07:34 AM

Tandy will probably be the easiest place to get your tools unless there is an equivalent in Germany.

If you have the money to invest right away on the starter kit, it's a good idea.

A mini-hole-punch set and a needle are really the only tools you will need to have (and of course the hammer, and thread to use with them). Everything else just makes it easier

Add later,

Strap cutter
Craft knife
various punches
Stamps
Dyes
Edge coats
Slicker
...

**Tartan Hiker** · 28th March 07, 08:26 AM

Right...but the book "How to Hand Stitch Leather", which comes with the Tandy kit, is worth it's weight in GOLD (or 16 oz. strome)

**Kilted KT** · 28th March 07, 09:40 AM

another nod for tandy leather here...great place to start out!

**A Hay** · 28th March 07, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Sean_the_Kilted

I'm wanting to get into making leather things (belts, sporrans, etc..) but I don't know anything really about leather or where to get it. What type and thickness do you guys recomend for specially belts and sporrans? I was looking for belt blanks online and I haven't found anywhere that sells blanks wider than 2 inches. I would like one in the 2 1/4 to 3 inch range. Finally what general list of tools do you recomend to have on hand? A Hay (or anyone one else living in germany) where do you get your leather in Germany? I know its alot of random questions, but I thought it might make for an interesting and informative thread. Thanks

Sean

I think Cavscout and Tartan Hiker have given good advice to look to Tandy Leather for a basic starter kit and some supplies. You can order on-line from their web-site. There are also other stateside suppliers, but some of their stuff comes from Tandy also.

I buy most of my supplies in Munich, from a little shop called Leder Baumann. It is not as cheap as Tandy, but since I'm selling some of the things I make, I can't ship supplies or finished products through the APO system. With the leather itself, I like to see the skin. One piece of leather about 3 mm thick and about 8 square feet costs about 45 euros.
I don't know if there is anything on that side of Germany. If I get a chance, I'll look on google.

Tandy has books and DVDs on how to do stuff. Start small and work up. If you have specific questions, send me a private message and we can link up.

Tom

**A Hay** · 28th March 07, 10:49 AM

Sean,
check out http://www.leder-hobby.de
Look in the upper right corner and there is a small flag to convert to english.
I have not used them, but I might.

Tom

**Sean_the_Kilted** · 28th March 07, 11:02 AM

These are all great suggestions. I knew someone(s) on here would know. On belt making, do you guys buy blanks usually or cut your own out of huge sheets? If you buy blanks, where do you buy them wide enough for kilt belts?

**cavscout** · 28th March 07, 11:16 AM

I've never found blanks wider than 1.75" By blanks I mean, prepped for a buckle.

You will have to plan to rip your own or have your leather supplier do it for you if you want to be able to get over 1.75"

**A Hay** · 28th March 07, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by cavscout

I've never found blanks wider than 1.75" By blanks I mean, prepped for a buckle.

You will have to plan to rip your own or have your leather supplier do it for you if you want to be able to get over 1.75"

I did find a 3" wide blank in a Tandy Leather store in St. Louis last year, but it was outrageously expensive. About $22. I cut it down to 2 1/4 " and had a 3/4" strap left over for a sporran strap.

Haven't seen anything that wide in the Tandy Catalog.

Tom