Leatherwork

[rockweasel]

Anyone on here had a go at leatherwork? After failing to find a case for my phone I thought about making one. One YouTube video led to another and now I fancy a go at making a bag for my wife after hers was mangled by the pup earlier this year - the result of my negligence.
Anyway, the process itself doesn't look that difficult (as a lot of things do to the unskilled eye.) Measure-mark-cut/punch-glue-stitch. A lot like metal work(?)
Any thoughts from those with experience?
Thanks.

 

[toddy]

I am starting to learn my self... To add to the alternative items I make for people...

I have found my metal craft riveter rivet's metal to letter quite nicely
Is the first attempt... Not too bad I think

 

[Kent]

Good work is real skill and practice. Lots is not good work, I don't I send it out to an expert. Of course you can learn like anything but it takes lots of time and a fair amount of stuff. Real quality leather makes a massive difference

 

[bigegg]

I've recently spent a while at the local charity shop skinning the non-sellable sofas for the leather...

Trouble I'm finding is that I want to shape it, but unfortunately it seems to be all chrome tanned.
You can only water-form leather if it's veg-tanned.

 

[Shox Dr]

I've recently spent a while at the local charity shop skinning the non-sellable sofas for the leather...

Trouble I'm finding is that I want to shape it, but unfortunately it seems to be all chrome tanned.
You can only water-form leather if it's veg-tanned.

I stripped a large Chesterman sofa of massive slabs of lovely aged oxo blood [coloured] leather a few weeks ago, some toerag had left at the side of the road. It was a shame to do it really, but it'll look better in the truck

 

[pedrobedro]

I've recently spent a while at the local charity shop skinning the non-sellable sofas for the leather...

Trouble I'm finding is that I want to shape it, but unfortunately it seems to be all chrome tanned.
You can only water-form leather if it's veg-tanned.

I get 3mm veg tanned leather from the identity store in Matlock, it's not far for me to go pick up what I want but they do post from their website.

 

[Fastfingaz]

I am starting to learn my self... To add to the alternative items I make for people...

I have found my metal craft riveter rivet's metal to letter quite nicelyView attachment 114605
Is the first attempt... Not too bad I think

Is that for Fido?

 

[bigegg]

could be for MrsToddy...
best not to ask

 

[selectedgrub]

I done some basic stuff.
I cover a seat soon.

 

[Fastfingaz]

could be for MrsToddy...
best not to ask

. Uuuu not touching that no more,,,,

 

[KemppiFrog]

We had a shop in Albufeira, a few aeons ago. I started making leather bits, mostly belts, as a side line. Bought whole skins from a local guy. Best tool was one that ran the skins into strips for belts ot other items, a sort of knife with an end fence. Rest was hole punches and stamps that decorated the product. They sold very well..
Unfortunatley, I gave the kit to a G/F on her way to India, on the idea she could earn a bit on her travels. You can probably spot the flaw in that.. She finally came back , without the kit, but I had had enough by then and moved on.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I do it as a hobby mostly making wallets, it's a great relaxing pass time.
Tools ain't cheap though, but I suppose that's true of any hobby where yourw making a quality product with nice materials.

 

[rockweasel]

I've ordered tools and a bag of leather offcuts (A4 sized) which should be enough to practice making some simple leather projects. Looking forward to learning a few new skills.

 

[Hood]

When I was 14 I made a leather gauntlet for Falconry. First and last thing I have ever made in leather. It came out well and withstood even a slightly mental but beautiful female Buzzard. I made a pattern by drawing round my hand then expanding by the amount required for my hand width. I had some old tools that were originally my Great Granddads, he was seemingly a saddle maker. The ones I found most useful were the stitch markers, or at least I took it that was what they were, basically a wooden handle with a blade cut into many sections and twisted to a slight angle, some punches and a slender bradawl.

I still have the gauntlet somewhere but not sure where, if I find I will post a pic as I was rather proud of it
In the mean time here is a pic of the Buzzard and a very young me, the gauntlet however is not the one I made.

 

[Hood]

And here was my pride and joy, nearly (but not quite) 40 years on. Still has some remnants of Buzzard food on it

 

[Maker]

Have you though about making a pair of welding gloves Hood?

 

[Hood]

Have you though about making a pair of welding gloves Hood?

Nope, next question

 

[Seadog]

The ones I found most useful were the stitch markers

Called a pricking iron. An old girlfriend was a saddlemaker.

 

[Hood]

Called a pricking iron. An old girlfriend was a saddlemaker.

mmmmm not so sure about that, are they not the things that kind of look like a chisel? Have some of them, also the ones with holes which are punches.

Will see if I can find a pic of the type I think you are taking about and also the type I mean.

 

[Hood]

Think this is what you are talking about

And this is the kind I am talking about, except some of the ones I have make an angle flat mark instead of just a point.