how to get started in leather work?

Meramac Kid · August 16, 2008, 10:26:51 AM

thinking of maybe getting started in doing some leather work but really dont know where to start and so on.....could someone offer a little advise on somethin thats fairly simple to get the idea of it?
been lookin around at Tandy Leatherworking website and i see they have some "kits" to start out with...would this be something good to start with?

knucklehead · August 16, 2008, 10:43:47 AM

scrap leather is the best place to start with.
this way you can toss it in a box after you are done stamping/carving it.

tandy offers a basic stamping kit. this has tools and some leather. this way you have the basic tools to start with.
think it also has some books with it.

you should also check out www.hidecrafter.com
they have some great videos on tooling leather.
i still watch the videos and still learn stuff from em.

this website is also a great place to learn stuff.
you may also live next to someone on this website. so if we knew what state you reside in one of us might be able to show you the ropes face to face.

hope this helps

Ace Lungger · August 16, 2008, 10:53:02 AM

:)MK,
Howdy! you have come to the right place to learn about leatherworking! The best of best are on this forum, and they are the nicest Pards you will ever find in the world.
I am a newbie myself and started around the first of the year or so! And theses pards have helped me a lot. If you live close to a Tandy store, you need to go there early on a Saturday Morning, and most Tandy stores give free classes, unfortunately for me I don't live close enough to attend classes, so I have learn here first. It depends on what you are wanting to learn to make! This site is basicly for making Gun Holsters, belts, knife sheaths and ect., based on the 1800's period! Not all but most. If you want to make thistype of leather goods you are home! I suggest you buy Al Stholmans book Making Holsters. This book it about $13.00 and it is the greats of starter books out there. Buy you a basic started kit of tools and read and start doing the job.
But I suggest again if you live close to a Tandy Store go there, to get a start.
That is the best advice I have for you, because aI am a newbie myself.
ACE

Meramac Kid · August 16, 2008, 12:20:52 PM

holsters,sheaths and so on are what i would like to do

there anyway that someone could post up a link to the starter tool kit that was mentioned earlier? i cant seem to find it anywhere.

im located in Sullivan,MO too fellers dont know if theres anyone close but would love to take a look first hand on how some of this stuff is made

cowboywc · August 16, 2008, 12:36:35 PM

Howdy
Here is a link to the page.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?dept=354
Basic Leathercraft Kit 55509-00
This will give you some practice projects to do.
Also get some scrap leather to practice your tooling before doing the kits.
How To Make Holsters Book 6055-00
This is a good book with patterns and how to's
Hidecrafter beginner kit is stock number 1083-01 it comes with a good DVD and a book.

HorsePen Henry · August 16, 2008, 04:17:27 PM

Quote from: Meramac Kid on August 16, 2008, 10:26:51 AM
thinking of maybe getting started in doing some leather work but really dont know where to start and so on.....could someone offer a little advise on somethin thats fairly simple to get the idea of it?
been lookin around at Tandy Leatherworking website and i see they have some "kits" to start out with...would this be something good to start with?

Howdy Meramac,

The Tandy holster book is pretty good for modern designs and it has some great tech stuff in it as stated. If ya like old timey holsters go here:

http://www.ccinstructionalvideos.com/burrows_frontier_holsters.htm

and here:

http://www.ccinstructionalvideos.com/burrows_sheaths.htm

I have found this very helpful stuff and I hope it helps you as well.

When ya git ta makin' saddles and tack give me another holler!!

Most of all, have a party doin' it,

X Horse Pen

Marshal Will Wingam · August 16, 2008, 11:17:07 PM

Howdy, Maramac. Looks like WC and X-pen have steered you in the right direction. Beyond that, hanging around a Tandy store where you can take lessons is a good idea. Ask questions and don't hesitate to try something to see if it'll work. You will learn a lot rapidly at first, both from your achievements and your mistakes. Frequent here and ask questions. There are a lot of knowledgable leather workers here and they'll be glad to help you.

All I can add beyond that is welcome and I'm looking forward to seeing you around here often.

Marshal Will

Cactus Patch Kid · August 16, 2008, 11:45:38 PM

Hey Meramac,

Nice handle. Like the river...or the park.

Did you know there is a Tandy store in south St. Louis? Off Lindbergh across from Ronnie's Plaza? I sota hail from the same wooded hills you do only a little farther East. On Thursday nights, 6ish to 8ish, us leather pounders meet at the Tandy store for advice and tall tales. The store manager is great. Come join us sometime.

PM me for more info.

The Cactus Patch Kid

panhead pete · August 17, 2008, 07:18:56 AM

Howdy Meramac Kid,

Welcome to the hobby! Tandy is without a doubt the best place to start. Will Ghormley (Hope I spelled it right, Will), has some more authentic patterns for the era we play in and they are available at Tandy as well. The Al Stohlman book is a great tool as well. Also if you can find a saddle maker who gives lessons, you will not regret it. Like the Tandy stores some instructors are better than others. Speaking of Al Stohlman. I think all of us who mess with hides should see this place. Two weeks ago I had the GREAT pleasure of visiting the King Saddlery Museum in Sheridan WY. They have an area dedicated to Al & Anne Stohlman with lots of their work, tools, drawings and more. Plus the museum houses over 600 saddles and tons of old west artifacts. They still make some saddles and they have a store out front for all kinds of Western goods. Can you say i-n-s-p-i-r-a-t-i-o-n!!!

Kind regards,

Panhead Pete

cowboywc · August 18, 2008, 01:10:37 PM

Howdy Pete

The King Museum is a place you can spend all day and come back the next and you will see
something you missed.
If you notice my picture, I'm standing at Al & Ann's work bench.
WC

panhead pete · August 18, 2008, 05:12:49 PM

WC,
Son of a Gun if you AIN'T standin' in front of their workbench!!! It was amazing how they jigsaw cut and carved the animals and drawer features. Every thing they did was pure craftsmen. We only had a few hours there as we had a reservation at the Occidental in Buffalo that evening. The next trip will be an entire day there.

Happy Trails,

Panhead