I need some tools...Update w/ Tool List

[wardcleaver]

I'm a rookie, have a few tools, but need to buy a few more basic leather working tools. Looking at buying a stitching groover, hole chisel set, etc.
I've been looking at Tandy, but looking for American made tools if possible.
Anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks

 

[duramax]

The Tandy tools like groover , edger, safety skiver are all ok. They make a good starting point. Then if you don’t mind the cost Barry King , CS Osborne tools, etc. I started with Tandy products and I’m slowly upgrading.

 

[wardcleaver]

Thanks again for your help. After looking at some prices, I think I'll get buy with Tandy tools, lol.
Hate to buy twice but it will probably be awhile before I "outgrow" them.

 

[Plainsman]

For a beginner and hobbyist, Tandy tools will get you through 99% of your leather work. If you find you really enjoy it and want things to go more smoothly, you’ll find yourself buying better quality old Tandy tools, custom tools and/or making your own!

I consider myself a hobbyist leatherworker after 35 years of leatherworking. My tool rack has tools older than me, tools made by others, tools made by me, old Tandy, new Tandy and some oddball as well. Each gets the job I need done. Thats the most important thing, does it do the job required!?!

Good luck in your newest hobby!

 

[Horsewright]

Thanks again for your help. After looking at some prices, I think I'll get buy with Tandy tools, lol.
Hate to buy twice but it will probably be awhile before I "outgrow" them.

As a pro I could justify and afford the expense of more professional tools and have many. Even still, I use certain Tandy tools cause they work for me. All my stitching groovers are Tandy as well as an adjustable creaser that I really like.

 

[wardcleaver]

Thanks Dave

 

[wardcleaver]

OK, Heres my first order, so far:

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-pro-stitching-groover-set

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/diamond-hole-chisel-set

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/poundo-boards

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/lacing-stitching-pony

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/multi-size-wood-slicker

I was thinking about getting this:
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-4-in1-awl-set
Would the different tools used enough by a rookie to justify the cost, or should I just get a plain-jane awl?

I will mostly be making knife sheaths...what size edge beveler should I start with?
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-edge-bevelers
Or should I just get the tool with 4 sizes?
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/keen-edge-beveler-4-1-set

I like the ease of use of the gluing tape...yay or nay? If nay, what glue would you recommend?

Great Thanks to anyone taking the time to read all this and help me out.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Robber58]

In my experience, a #2 and #3 edgers is all you will really need. Relative to an awl, I used this onehttps://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/stitching-awl-with-1-1-4-3-2-cm-blade for years and had great results. Easy to get sharp on the edges and handles well. I suspect you won't find a lot of use for the set but, then again, maybe you will. You also need to get a decent maul or mallet to pound those chisels and any stamping tools you may acquire eventually.
Randy

 

[wardcleaver]

Thanks for the advice Randy.

 

[wardcleaver]

For a beginner and hobbyist, Tandy tools will get you through 99% of your leather work. If you find you really enjoy it and want things to go more smoothly, you’ll find yourself buying better quality old Tandy tools, custom tools and/or making your own!

I consider myself a hobbyist leatherworker after 35 years of leatherworking. My tool rack has tools older than me, tools made by others, tools made by me, old Tandy, new Tandy and some oddball as well. Each gets the job I need done. Thats the most important thing, does it do the job required!?!

Good luck in your newest hobby!

Looks like I'm going with Tandy. Thanks for your help.

 

[Old Biker]

I bought the stitching groover you linked, but I have encountered a couple situations where it was impossible to use it. One would be on a wet molded sheath like these.

A groover like this will work, and I have found it easier to keep against the edge of the leather and make a neat groove, in all situations

O.B..

 

[Horsewright]

I too would recommend the groover that OB recommends not the other one. I've got three and they work for everything. Yeah I'm not keen on the set kind of deals with the awl or the edger. Me I'd upgrade on the edgers (#2 and #3 should take care of most needs making sheaths). I'd take a hard look at the Osborne edgers. Mid price as far as edgers go and they work well for me I keep coming back to em.

https://www.springfieldleather.com/search?keywords=osborne western edgers

I like the Bent Western edgers, I have a 2, 3 and a 4.

 

[wardcleaver]

...A groover like this will work, and I have found it easier to keep against the edge of the leather and make a neat groove, in all situations
O.B..

Thanks, thats the kind of help I'm looking for. I wanna buy the right stuff the 1st time.
And nice work on the sheaths!

 

[wardcleaver]

I too would recommend the groover that OB recommends not the other one. I've got three and they work for everything. Yeah I'm not keen on the set kind of deals with the awl or the edger. Me I'd upgrade on the edgers (#2 and #3 should take care of most needs making sheaths). I'd take a hard look at the Osborne edgers. Mid price as far as edgers go and they work well for me I keep coming back to em.

https://www.springfieldleather.com/search?keywords=osborne western edgers

I like the Bent Western edgers, I have a 2, 3 and a 4.

It sounds like you're pretty adamant on the bent Osborne edgers. I'll take your advice and buy #2 &#3 for now.

What do you think of the Tandy hole chisel set?

 

[Horsewright]

It sounds like you're pretty adamant on the bent Osborne edgers. I'll take your advice and buy #2 &#3 for now.

What do you think of the Tandy hole chisel set?

No personal experience with those. When I hand sewed I was an awl and needle kind of guy and used an overstitch wheel for marking my spacing. However, I could see that working out for a guy. I'd probably buy individual chisels though. I'd find it frustrating switching back and forth on a project. If a guy did an occasional project might be an alright deal. But if I was doing 2 or 3 projects at a time, I'd be frustrated. Here's some belts I did recently with my #3. I grind flats on a lot of my round handle tools. Keeps em rolling off the bench. I've broken more than a couple of edgers by having em roll off the bench onto the concrete floor.

 

[Old Biker]

And nice work on the sheaths!

Thanks.

What do you think of the Tandy hole chisel set?

The tines on the individual chisels are slightly longer than the tines on that set. 5/64 of an inch difference. So you can punch through a slightly thicker stack of leather, with the individual chisels. With either I end up having to finish the hole with an awl on the thickest sections of a project. If you expect to want to do different hole spacing, on different projects, then the set is a good deal. If you plan to stick with one spacing for everything, then buy a set of individual chisels in that spacing. I use the 3mm spacing for everything now. Craftool # 88045-04, and craftool 88045-02. I also have a craftool pro 88055-10 that I filed every other tang off of, to give me very nearly the same spacing. I have tried finer spacing, but my thread would occasionally cut through between holes. I guess I probably pull my thread to tight.

O.B.

 

[wardcleaver]

Thanks again O.B., more food for thought...

 

[brewbear]

But..but...nobody mentioned mallets! If you do some stamping, you'll need a mallet. I have two I bought on Amaz... My Christmas present to myself is a Barry King mallet (OK, a couple of Schatt & Morgan knives too) , but I'm not sure which one. Mallet or maul, weight....which is more versatile?

 

[Horsewright]

I use a BK made maul, sold by Weaver. It's a 2lb er. I have never used a mallet. It replaced an older 2lb er also made by BK. The wife also uses a 2lb er from BK. She also has two 1lb ers from BK, a maul and a mallet. They collect dust. She doesn't use them.

 

[brewbear]

Thank you for the reply Horsewright , but BK likes to muddy up the waters so to speak and has a round and a tapered maul on his page....Which ones do you use?