from a person who's done just a small about of wood carving, what he says about a dull blade being dangerous is so true. Sharpen your tools, whether they're chisels, knives, whether they're for wood or leather or whatever else. If you're using a razor blade, replace it often. It'll make your work SO much easier AND safer
I work in a grocery store. The difference between a sharp and a dull knife is indeed huge.... we use a box cutter for cutting through cardboard, tape or even the shrink wrap around the pallets!. Dull = more cuts needed (because the blade stops after a while in the material and you need to start cutting again), while sharp = 1 smooth motion = time saving
this man is so pure... omg, you're so nice, telling that it's ok to make mistakes, to take our time and you give us templates to sell leather stuff that you made, for free... this is real passion for a job and this is what a nice person is, you like to do what you do and you like to help others, expecially if they just started, that's amazing
I've been leather crafting for over 20years and still use granite sink cut outs. My wife actually saw them one day and thought of me. They are great. We move quite often and they transport well. That is excellent advice. Thanks for sharing. .
I've been doing leatherwork for 40 years; you gave some great advice to those who want to begin leather work. I have taught many people the craft and like you, I tell them to get what they on thier budget, and upgrade through the years. Had a student drop 1500 bucks at (insert leather supply store here) just to quit 3 months later and put his tools up for sale and he lost 1400 bucks. Start small and work up.
I agree about buying leather for a beginner. When I shop for leather I figure the cost per square foot. A good quality vegtan can be had for about $5.00 a square foot. Premium goes for about $15.00. Different parts of a hide tool differently also and are reflected in price. That I don’t worry too much about when practicing. Main thing is cost per foot. Would you rather screw up $5.00 or $15.00? As far as weight of leather I like 8 to 10 ounce for what I do. That is another consideration. The thinner is usually cheaper.
@larry cumba you are right on the money about buying leather, different styles, weights, etc. There is so much information there it should really have its own video. Thank you so much for the additional information.
Hopefully more people order from the tannery. 175-250 per side depending on quality selected, avg 24sqft. They can split and have specially tanned for tooling. Go with the best you can afford and practice intentionally. Working with lower quality leather is like using an xacto on 12oz leather; frustration.
@@bigstacksshop I'm a huge fan of Wickett & Craig. I will note that Horween reps give W&C a run for their money also. If you like a particular brand, look into the tannery, some will ship a single side, or chip, others won't.
All good points! I'd add to the hobby lobby leather by saying, on of the best things I ever did was find a whole sale cobbler supply locally in my city that was selling scrap by the pound. Opened me up to getting small test pieces of nicer tannages. I also developed a good relation with them, and now buy several higher end hides every year from them at prices way lower than most online stores.
Started my leathercraft journey when covid started back in early 2020. I try to discover everything on my own, as that's exactly the challenge I wanted. Started out with scrap leather but was able to move up to more expensive leather fairly quickly. The only thing I have yet to actually get into is stamping and carving leather. I can do simple things like like lines and cuts but when it gets to abstract, especially with carving, I reach my limits really quickly. Not to mention the loss of concentration. Maybe some day...
Thank you so much for this video. I have always struggled with the problem of being paralyzed by wanting to get things right rather than just getting in and finishing a project warts and all, so to speak. Not wanting to screw up a few hundred dollars worth of leather while also having zero experience and zero skills, what you said makes a lot of sense. I'm off to get myself some "scribble" leather to learn on before attempting a masterpiece. 😊😊
Great video! Spot on utilizing a countertop store. When I was in search of a piece of granite I went to my local store with money in hand. They pointed to the dumpster out back and said take all you want.
I picked up leather working as a hobby 2 years ago, looking to turn it into a side business soon. Some things I can add. 1. Keep your workspace clean. Not just before starting a project but between stages as well, leather is easy to mark and a stray bit of leather that you punched out earlier can get caught under the piece you are working on and make a mark or dent. 2. One project at a time, nothing is more demoralizing to me than seeing that unfinished project that I had to put aside for one reason or another, in most cases it was because of the next point. 3. Make sure you have all the parts you need for your project. I have only one saddle shop near me that carries the quality of buckles, rings and keepers that I like to use, they aren't open on weekends and I already have a full time job so I have trouble getting there most days. I occasionally order on line in bulk, but I also like to have that local connection to people that share my hobby. 4. Keep an eye out for people getting out of the hobby. I have twice found someone who was giving up the hobby for various reasons, I managed to get a full set of carving tools and stamps for a fraction of the retail cost. 5. Your first project will probably suck. My first project was a small pouch, it was terrible, if I made something like that today i would be embarrassed to give it to somebody. I still have it, it reminds me how much I have improved. I am good enough now to be happy to take private commissions and confident I can make what they want.
Oh boy, the first one I still violate when I'm too enthusiastic. Eventually I'll end up hammering a thread only to find out that there was a tiny hole punch extraction underneath it, making a nice deep noticeable dimple in the work.
Good advise. I’ve been working with leather for ten years, and I agree with your comments. The intermediate leather is a good start. Starting out, I went to a local leather company (they were great!) and asked for the basics. I have built my collection of leather tools from there. Just finished a 30 page paper on the thinks I have learned in leatherwork.
@edgell3 Thank you. I bet there is a lot of advice on that 30 page paper, I'm sure it's gold. You should try turning it into videos on your channel. I'm subscribing just in case you do.
OK I've subscribed to so many Leatherwork channels that I'm reluctant to add anymore to my scrolling time but your little trick of using the cereal box before its empty sold me. 🙃
Excellent pointers. I've been dying to get into leathercrafting, and research alone has been very enlightening. The best tip you gave is "Don't be afraid to fail." I heavily look forward to using cheap leather and copying many people with fun ideas, and I don't mind failing at all. Learning and becoming good is impossible without failures along the way. Fails teach us what to do differently, and things to avoid. Failure is one of the greatest teachers.
@Azelethros_OG thank you for the comment. Failure is one of our best teachers if we learn from it. I'm excited to see your projects. When you get in the shop and make some projects, tag me with @bigstacksshop on social media so I can see!
I must have missed the tip about recycling cardstock from packaging for pattern templates. When I set up my new shop I was on a tight budget and reused the card paper from cases of ginger ale to make my first patterns. I still have pouch patterns that say Canada Dry on one side, lol. 😁 Grabbing poster board from the dollar store is also super economical if there's one around.
I've used file folders, brown paper bags, cereal boxes, nonskid sheets from pallets, poster board, card stock the list continues. Use what you have available and don't be shy about it.
I buy my leather by the 1/4 and 1/2 cow, I can sometimes get deer,rabbit and sometimes exotics from the Tandy leather supply company 40 miles away, it’s a trip but I get to pick out what i want including if I want colored hides or any parts like rivets and buckles and a lot of other stuff while I’m there
@H R I wish we had tandy closer, mine is over 100 miles away. Apparently leather craft wasn't very popular in my area, but the craft is experiencing a rebound.
when newbies come into the shop to buy stuff I always tell them start with basics to make sure you enjoy this before you buy a 90 dollar knife just get the box cutter first. All the tips you gave I give to my customers before i had a tandy near me i use to do Couch hunting and would cut off the backs, and the seats. Was so happy to use this cheap stuff just to get my skills down.
I made a leather bound coptic stitch book for a friend several weeks ago, and I've been getting interested in making gear for larping. Those things have led me to a fondness for leather and I'm glad to find your channel. Your sense of humor is great too lol. Thanks for the video man!
@McBernes Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm glad you've taken your passiom and find something to do with it. I have to admit, I can't promise a funny video everytime, but I can promise I will always do my best to deliver honest and relevant material.
@anyellmarkus9568 This is a great idea if it's cheaper than buying the leather new. Just be sure to match up the appropriate thickness of leather with the project you are making.
Great advice for beginners, that is basically how I started out and eventually branched out into western saddles, harness racing repair, and draft harness (except the collars - had an older gentleman that whipped them out almost as fast as we could keep him supplied). For myself it was great therapy for recovery from a severe concussion and drug addiction (avoid both, they ain't worth it) before I moved on to other pursuits - the small items could be made fairly quickly (where you make mistakes and learn) then you can start to make them fancier and start to explore and design your own items. Dull tools are dangerous tools - got a few scars to prove that 🤪. Wet your leather then wet it again and again for stamping and forming - too dry and your patterns fade, then again too wet and the leather goes mushy. A piece of shoe sole leather is great as a backing for punching holes, cutting mats are a great new fangeled item to protect and control your cuts (wood grain doesn't help for straight cuts). Snap off knives are a great tool, just snap them away from yourself just in case it doesn't snap cleanly. You can't beat a piece of marble for backing to stamp patterns on nor a good heavy bolted on vice or a piece of rail for rivets Long time away from it now but still have my tools - assisted children with scout projects, and made some inserts for my shoes to adjust for a leg length issue following a knee operation and a few other fixes and repairs now and then. Maybe one of these days I'll finish up a 60% completed saddle 😜.
@Chris Cohlmeyer I never considered it, you are 100% correct. If you cut on plywood, your blade well want to follow the wood grain and you will most likelly never get a straight cut.
@@bigstacksshop What jacka$$ is telling folks to use a plywood cutting board? An HDPE kitchen cutting board is good for punching holes on one side and cutting on the other. A self-healing cutting mat is still very much recommended.
Can’t copy? Well there goes leather working can’t make belts wallets or anything. Like really. Seriously I love your videos as I’m new to leather but your information has been very useful and now my go to source. Thank you my good man keep up the great work.
Thank you, I sincerely appreciate it and good luck with your projects. If you make something you are proud of, post it on social media with #bigstacksshop so I can check it out!
Hokieland, eh? Anyway, got a couple projects I've been wanting to start, but have been hesitant. Think I may get started with some practice pieces tomorrow now. Thanks!
@Jareth Griethe thank you for the comment. Glad the wheels are greased with motivation. If you feel up to posting them on social media, please tag me @bigstacksshop so I can see them.
Starting out and leather shopping, I recommend you grab some $20 bargin bin veg tan belly cuts. Find you one that’s firm on the back side, doesn’t look like it’s furry on the back. It’s usually 6-8 oz thickness which I good for sheathes, holsters, a lot of what’s typical early projects for most guys.
@Bubba Thank you for the complement and thank you for subscribing. My personal feeling is there is a time and place for music, but not every single moment of every single video.
I made e few great (little) projects with the old boots of a friend. Nice leather and it didn't cost me an arm or leg :-) And tools from "way over the ocean".. 🙂
First off, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who's made a lathe burnishing tool! So much time saved with a dowl and 10 minutes of work! I have been using the hobby lobby scrap packs for about 6 months now and they actually have been getting fairly high quality scraps recently! On the "Don't copy" bit: I've recently run into some fairly bad wallet patterns, so much so that I ended up grabbing some graph paper and made my own style of the same thing as what they sold, with much less waste. As someone who has experience with designing laser files, I'm not stranger to throwing my own flair on a concept I like. Thanks for the wise words!
@TheNightshiftGamer thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience. I thought I was the only one with a lathe burnisher.🤣🤣🤣 Apparently great minds think alike, there are probably thousands of then out there.
The Hobby lobby leather looks ok, but man it's so expensive. My advice is order some cheap stuff from Springfield leather (I am not affiliated in any way) you can get some decent quality chrome tan for $3-4 /ft or go super cheap and look for the super deals they have once or twice a year.
@Pef273 thank you for your comment. I'll eventually get to what it is used for. You just have to wait it out a bit longer. Subscribe so you won't miss it when I do use it.
There's so much valuable information in here. I feel like you went back in time and watched my Leathercraft career mistakes and lessons learned, took notes and posted it here lol. Awesome stuff. btw (i got corrected on this in an embarrassing way myself) detrimental means bad so saying that advice will be detrimental means it would be a negative thing. 😉✌
I fully agree with you on starting out with hobby lobby leather. That's exactly what I did and it also provided a great reference to see how tough it is but I learned a great many things with it. There is a place called Maverick leather Company that sells Horween Leather Second runs meaning they are tannery rejects. I have bought three sides of veg tan from them and got all of them for half price or less because they had defects in them. So if you can afford say 100-150 on a side of leather then I advise getting some of that too. The first side I got was a 21 sqft side of brown essex for 95 and this is leather that sells for 300 per side.
@@bigstacksshop From what I've purchased two of the sides had sections cut out of the center but otherwise were fairly uniform in coloration and appearance with few blemishes that I could notice but I am still a novice. The most recent purchase was a side of Horween Dublin and the coloration wasn't perfect on the back and there was one small (maybe 2mm circle that was very dark compared to the rest of the grain side but otherwise it's fantastic.
Interesting and helpful video. Can you give some tips on using recycle leather from a jacket and for earrings, bracelets and the crown of a bucket ladies hat.
Ordered a Tandy coin purse kit, 20-piece stamp kit from amazon, made it for Mom for Mother's Day this year. Thank you for the advice, the stamping was a bit frustrating since I worked off my tool bench. You are right a lot of bounce. Had a piece of granite from a water fountain project I did 25 years ago lol Mom always said save stuff you might need it. I needed it and it is the best. My consistency on the stamping has improved greatly.
A great one I heard was to buy your headstone early and use that for a base. You'll have to buy it someday, and if you use it for leatherwork at least you'll get to enjoy it for a while.
@DukeFrazierProductiond Yes, my favorite youtube leather crafter, @DonGonzalezMaker uses a headstone, it should absorb any vibration. 🤣 Thank you for the comment.
Your channel is awesome😊👍 Your directions are clear, you understand the journey and struggles to get to the level you want to be someday, and you’re hilarious. Bravo. Good job.
Good Advice Sir, I always start with a fresh blade, my fingers are worth it! Blades are cheap compared to a missing finger or stitches. With each new project from Sheaths, key chains, Belts and soon I will be making Back packs and bags. Leather ended up being a passion and my shop slowly expands 😉👍
@@bigstacksshop your welcome Sir, your tips are great for beginners, better to dabble on the cheap and expand after you decide you love it. As you grow, you realize the only limit is your imagination!
I've designed templates in Corel Draw. Print them out at a place like Staples and have them laminate them. Then punch them out and then use thumb tacks to mount it to the leather and then cut it out in the leather.
@colt5189 I've never thought of that. Do you have any issues with them delaminating? I mean, even if they eventually do, your idea is great because they are cheap and easy to make. Great idea!
@@bigstacksshopI've only done it a few times as I really only have one project as I'm recreating a stage prop to see if I can sell it. But I have to have everything line up exact since I have a lot of spots, so made a template that's semi-permanent. Though I could remake it if I needed to. Had to be real careful cutting it out as my design is the size of a sheet of paper. So one screw up could mean having to have a new one printed and start over. Though I made it through without any screwups. Planned to use a small piece of clear packing tape if I screwed up any little place. I've not had any issues with it "delaminating". Though you have to be careful when initially cutting out your design so you don't mess up your template as they are a few dollars to get made. Or you could print them out at home and laminate them at home. I'd recommend the kind that you put the paper through a roller press. At Staples, I had them use thick paper with the thickest lamenant that went through rollers. Though my project is the size of a sheet of paper. So have to be careful when cutting out the slits as a screw up could ruin the whole template. The better way would be to have a thin ridged piece of metal and have the design cut marks cut out with a water jet. Though I don't have access to one.
I bought my Juki 1541S at Keystone Sewing Machine in Philadelphia about a couple years ago. It had a brushed motor when I got it. I replaced it with a Consew CSM3000 brushless motor. I am very happy with the combination. I also have a couple of industrial blind stitch machines that I use to hem clothes.
I LOVE Leathercraft & in my beginner time I use a lot of Pattens from Dieselpunkro & some more ! Very good Pattens whit really good tutorials!!! After that I make my own Pattens & work everyday whit lot of love!
You have a very calm and easy-going demeanor that makes the video a joy to watch all the while actually learning something. I thank you for excellent content.
What do you consider to be good quality leather? I did recently buy some leather from Amazon to do some testing on. I think it was $15 for a 12" x 12". Now the leather I got that I plan on making projects from to sell. I bought some 12" x 12" 5/6oz leather from Tandy's when I was out of town. I picked out the better pieces. I think they were $25 a piece, which I could have paid $80 for a side. And recently I had to place an order online with a leather shop and bought a Hermann Oak 12" x 12" piece 5/6oz. I do find it interesting that some pieces are almost white looking and then some are more of a medium brown looking, the veg tan leather I buy.
@colt5189 goods quality leather can mean different things to different people, depending on how high their standards are. Some people will only use leather from well known tanneries like Wicket & Craig, Hermann Oak, or Horween. I'm fine using the stuff from hobby lobby for most items. I think it's more important to match the thickness of leather to the appropriate project. For instance, something like a wallet will use much thinner leather than a knife sheath.
Good stuff here. Been into LASER engraving and CNC cutting a few years now and woodcarving for several+ years now and really enjoy them all as hobbies. CNC or woodcarving, well sharpened tools are a absolute must. Recently I have become interested in working with leather because like woodcarving it is much more hands on. I am looking for designs that use both leather tooling and glass bead art applied on to or combined with that tooled leather as a complement. Where would be a recommended source of good information? Thanks again for good intelligent info.
@whocaresidontcare2166 Thank you very much for your comment and the kind words. I'm not sure the best place for both leather working and glass beads on the internet. I will say thar @dongonzales is my favorite leather crafter om youtube!
I found this one of the most honest videos I've watched and love your candor and reminder to remain humble in the beginning stages of learning since mistakes WILL happen. Thank you for the awesome advice, and willingness to share your knowledge. I have a lot of respect for the craft and am definitely still learning so look forward to watching your other videos!
There r good ironsmiths around my place, made me knives, just have to give them the design. They were happy to make it to me, as they also learned three different styles of knives
i made my own knives and they're sharp enough to cut through leather like butter. when i bought an exacto knife to try out it was duller than my knives. some diamond sharpening stones are well worth it.
@@bigstacksshop i used 1095 steel from a old File. i have a surface grinder i picked up for $800 and used it to remove the file teeth and shape the blade. wet stones took 4 hours for a perfect sharp blade, diamond sharpeners worked faster and did just as well.
I have not done much leather work but my father worked horses and I spent many hours watching him repair harness , then as adult I riveted thousands of sections in swather and mower knifes . Two things I learned , use as solid a workbench as you can build , hardwood top 4-6 inch thick . And a section of railroad track for anvil
@out in the sticks thank you for sharing. A solid workbench is great for leather working and other projects. Since I think the workbench is the heart of every great shop, I should probably spend a month and show how to build one. And one with a railroad track as an all built in would be really cool.
New to the world of leather work and still trying to find my nitch.Thank you for the information, it's a far cry different from what I've been exposed to.
@Aixelsyd Dan I am humbled, thank you very much. Please feel free to click on the link in the description to sign up for my newsletter and get your free leather craft templates.
I have a small case that has my tools and some small projects. When I have to wait somewhere I take it out and cut or sew or things like that. For some reason this brings me joy. I only have a few tools like the advice here and I am able to do quite a lot. I made a lot of projects from kits before I started making my own templates. This video was spot on.
@Randy Crum Thank you for the kind words. I'm setting up a travel bag with a set of tools I can take camping with me. If you have any advice on what to pack, I would definitely appreciate it.
@@bigstacksshop I have a small black canvas case from Harbour Freight and I keep the usual tools: A squeeze type punch (I do not have the other kind - yet), a pair of KITCHEN sheers (much to the dismay of my wife), a few spools of thread, some glue that I do not use much. One thing I wish I had was a good way to keep the needles because I lose them too much. We took a road trip about a month ago and I also had two kits for my teenagers: a wallet kit for my son who has a lot of experience putting things like models and furnature together following directions, and a coin purse for my daughter who I thought I would just wet her intrest with a short easy project. It turned out the wallet is still not done and the coin purse was done in about 20 minutes. But yes, I can keep some plastic bags with kits in there. Of course, I keep the leather pieces I need for the projects. No dyes, paints, or liquids. Hope this helps.
@Randy Crum That's very awesome. Im not big on the squeeze punches, but I can see where it's handy for what you are doing. I'll be dropping a video very soon about leather drive punches under $20 on Amazon in case you were interested in buying a set down the road. You also gave me an idea for a future project.
i buy hobby lobby leather and it works PERFECT! thank you for supporting them i will say that hes saying the truth about veg tan! get it first always....
I recently made a hilariously awful set of bracers from a Walmart purse for my Halloween outfit and I’m definitely glad I figured out how grommets work on that first. Your sense of humor is great and this video helped settle my nerves about leatherwork. 🤓
+Julia L Thank you very much. Keep at it, leather work is just like anything else - the more you practice the better you will get. I have faith in you and know you will keep getting better.
I feel your pain. Grommets and eyelets feel like they were designed to never set properly on the first go. I still try to avoid using them when I can. 😅
"Cheap" Hobby Lobby leather? Saw a veg belly for 39.99 at my local one. Best places for cheaper leathers I've found are Springfield Leather, Rocky Mountain Leather, and Tandys runs some great black Friday and Christmas sales. Springfield is also really good because for $30 a year you can purchase a wholesale subscription. This applies to their hardware and they have a lot of nice Conchos, buckles, and many other things.
@Gregory Tayes I have to agree with you, the sticker price on Hobby Lobby tooling leather isn't cheap. I was more or less referencing a direct quote from the original video with the bad advice. However, by the time you factor in Tandy shipping costs and the 40% Hobby Lobby discount when it's on sale, buying from Tandy and Hobby Lobby isn't too much of a price difference. Plus, you won't have to wait a week or two for shipping. I didn't know about the wholesale discount from Springfield, and I appreciate you posting this. I'm definitely looking into this sometime in the near future.
Thanks for this lovely advice! I really liked you last advice, since I recently started a small buisnes. I learn from challenging commissions from friends and yes, copying what I see. But this gives me great oppotunity to learn and try new technikes.
@janniepoels595 thank you for your comment. Good luck on your business. If you want to learn about how I price my work, check out my latest video: th-cam.com/video/16ktifVo3Qg/w-d-xo.html
@simonhopkins3867 absolutely, thank you for the comments. If you are looking for some beginner projects, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get free templates.
This video was great, just subscribed! My first ever project was as sheathe from a very old scrap that had been on a quiver. Maybe it was because the leather was so old, but it wouldn't wet form at all! That was 2 years ago and after making some more sheathes and even armor, I think I'm ready to start my journey into the world of tooling. Thanks for all the advice in this video!
@Living Anachronism thank you for commenting and subscribing. Id love to see some of your armor and sheaths. Post some pictures on social media and tag me with @bigstacksshop so I can see them!
@@bigstacksshop Different types of leather we sold, how they were made, what they were good for, as well as stamping & tooling/carving, dying, and hardware setting. I also taught how to use tools and how to care for them.
@maxhoyle2134 I've seen where people have lined them with suede before, but many people just use a durable veg tan to make the sheath and call it a day. Whatever you do, please don't use chrome tanned leather because the chemicals could ruin the finish on your piece.
I first started leathercraft some years ago when we had to get rid of an old leather couch. I tore it apart, made belt pouches, and ended up selling some on Etsy. I wouldn't try to sell something like that now that I know more, but if someone wanted large pieces of practice leather, and had the means, I always see people trying get rid of old furniture for free.
@irishkrautbear you can get some leather from discarded furniture. Most leather furniture now just uses leather on the seats and arm rests. Did you find the backs and sides of your couch are vinyl, or we're they also leather?
I started leather working a few months ago. My first project was a coin purse, my own design and patterns. Stitching looks good and is straight, edge burnishing is nice looking, made a stop bead from maple. It will hold up to $30 in quarters. I'm 56 and a life long hobby junkie. Plastic model cars, radio controlled cars, boats, aircraft. Glass blowing, sewing, auto and motorcycle restoration. Welding and fabrication. The list is long and I still do most everything except radio controlled stuff due to over regulation and lack of people actually interested in building their own toys, everything these days is about instant gratification. When I start a new hobby it's a commitment and I'm all in. In six months or so I've dropped some bank on tools, equipment and leather. I don't understand why you dissed Hobby Lobby leather though. They sell a lot of high quality leather and a lot nice scrap that is nice sized and good quality. I've spent more than $2k on leather from hobby lobby and I'm very well stocked on large hides, some of this leather is very nice quality. I'm currently working on designing a hand bag for my wife. I'm a fast learner and my past hobbies put me far ahead on overall skills. My point being, not everyone needs to start with the most basic project, we all start. I'm currently learning to use snaps and rivits and so far this has been the only thing I've found to have a lifted learning curve, so far so good. I have to say, I'm loving this hobby and I'm happy I took the dive.
@claytonpratt1312 I'm not totally knocking hobby lobby leather. They do have some decent selections, but a bit overpriced for the good stuff. I only buy it when it's on sale. They do have some inexpensive cuts which really suck, but the price is definitely right for a beginner just getting started. I'm much like you, I am a hobby nut. My shop size is what limits me. I don't like to get rid of tools, so I can fix most anything with what's in my garage.
love your videos, what is your stamping machine called? i just started trying to work with leather and i cant hit the mallet hard enough, or i do and get a double design
@EllieSmith-w7q Its a 1 ton arbor press I got from Harbor Freight. Really great little tool. I plan on doing a follow up Harbor Freight Leatherworking video, where I will go into more details about it.
I started with a piece of ply-wood... that I put the cheap cutting mat I got at Walmart on. Then I found an (expensive) adjustable height worktable with a solid wood butcherblock top at Home Depot. Couldn't resist the upgrade and told myself it was my Christmas present to myself for the next 5 years. :)
@Michael Holbrook , Getting that cutting mat on there is the key to saving your blades. I bet that butcherblock is a great solid top for your worktable.
I believe I bought the same adjustable table and it works great. Very solid surface. My table also has the 2 drawers which I didn't want at first but so happy I did.
@pameladaltom2457 I actually do sometimes use heavy duty shears or leather scissors, especially when making rough cuts or cutting larger curved areas. They just don't provide the precision a knife doors, or at least that's been my experience. There is no harm trying out both methods and seeing which one you prefer. Just be sure to use heavy duty scissors or shears.
I bought a panel of genuine leather when i first started, probably in 2020, i made a wallet out of it, and it is still looked great, maybe it was mislabelled by the seller or each seller has different definitions to genuine leather
@tableta6305 thank you for sharing. I'm not sure what material the cutting mat is made from. If you look at my most recent video, I have an Amazon link to a cutting mat in the comments. You might find a little more information there.
Great video and great advice. I really like your advice that is OK to copy others when you are a beginner, this really is good advice, you will learn and this will give you experience and confidence. Before you know it you will be creating your own unique designs, learned from the skills that you learned from coping others. Good advice. Thank you.
Hiya, big Stax; I just got a new knife w/ a leather sheath. I want a drain hole in the tip, right in the bottom. The leather is 4mm thick, folded on itself w/ a strip in the sewn joint. Can you tell me a good way to put a hole in the end of filler/spacer strip? Thank you in advance for kind assistance. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
+Jon Steedley Hmmm, I'd have to see a picture to give you some solid advice. If I'm picturing it correctly, that strip you are talking about is called a "welt" and gives some durability. I would make a new sheath and taper off the welt a bit just short of the end so there is a hole there.
I started out with cheap Amazon tools. I got leather on Amazon too, not having working relationships or experience with smaller companies. My beef is with finding decent hardware for leather. I have a picnic basket that needed all new handles and straps. I made them perfectly but the dang snaps wouldn’t set properly. I went through like 5-6 per snap! I set them dead square too so I’m sure it wasn’t me- but I will leave room for that possibility. Lol I got into Viking stuff during Covid due to being super bored. I enjoy showing up with my husband at Renn Faire decked out in authentic kit. I’ve subscribed! Your channel is very cool. Big Stacks to us means big stacks of money. Hope you’re getting loads. 👍🏻
@LilyoftheValeyrising Thank you for the complements. The hardware our there does suck, but according to other channels I've watched @Buckleguycom has good hardware. I started this channel because I found myself sitting on the couch eating snacks and watching TH-cam. I needed to get back into my shop, and I really wanted to encourage other people to get into their shops as well. That's why I focus on a lot of beginner stuff, so people won't be intimidated to try new things.
@@bigstacksshop no problem! Thanks for the suggestion. I can relate to the snacks and TH-cam! I can easily find myself watching life instead of living it! Lol
@@LilyoftheValeyrisingWith all the late night calories I was taking in, "Big Stacks" was going to be known as "Big Snacks" if I kept it up. Just a second note on hardware I forgot to mention. Weaver does make some awesome hardware, but it isn't the cheapest. Since they specialize in horse tack gear, their products have to be incredibly strong and durable.
To be honest, if i would like to start agian , i will just buying cutting dyes, chinesse one, and with arbor press, with less than 200$ you will strart makeing great high quality work Even if you are new, cutting leather by hand is nice and you will learn alot, but for me was a waste of time and less quality product, make few projects, like 1-3 but make it perfect is the right way. To start. Inshalaah.
@sajedodeh2729 thank you for sharing. The cutting dies are really great to churn out projects quickly and efficiently. I have a number of them in my possession. I would spring the extra $$$ for the Japanese steel if it is available
@donaldslayton2769 I have to admit, I had never heard of a fleshing beam until now, but I wasn't very familiar with the tanning process. Is there a particular reason spalted maple is used?
Yeah, with any craft there's a section of folks who will do intro videos and suggest expensive tools/ materials bc they actually want to exclude people by creating barriers to entry and seem much more awesome
It’s wonderful to see an artist say use his templates their free you know that’s a real artist who wants to share his craft with beginners
@sieanchors9661 thank you very much. I will always try to keep some free sets of plans available as long as I am able to do so.
from a person who's done just a small about of wood carving, what he says about a dull blade being dangerous is so true. Sharpen your tools, whether they're chisels, knives, whether they're for wood or leather or whatever else. If you're using a razor blade, replace it often. It'll make your work SO much easier AND safer
@rominomen so true, thank you for sharing your experience with us.
As a commercial roofer and former chef, I have much appreciation for a sharp blade.
I work in a grocery store. The difference between a sharp and a dull knife is indeed huge.... we use a box cutter for cutting through cardboard, tape or even the shrink wrap around the pallets!. Dull = more cuts needed (because the blade stops after a while in the material and you need to start cutting again), while sharp = 1 smooth motion = time saving
I subscribed when you stuck the cereal box back into the cupboard.
@coalcreekdefense8136 Thank you my friend. Check out my latest video, I use a chainsaw to try and sharpen a carpenters pencil.
this man is so pure... omg, you're so nice, telling that it's ok to make mistakes, to take our time and you give us templates to sell leather stuff that you made, for free... this is real passion for a job and this is what a nice person is, you like to do what you do and you like to help others, expecially if they just started, that's amazing
@user-zw2yu6gx8l I appreciate your kind words, thank you very much. It is comments like this one that keep me going.
I've been leather crafting for over 20years and still use granite sink cut outs. My wife actually saw them one day and thought of me. They are great. We move quite often and they transport well. That is excellent advice. Thanks for sharing.
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@David R. thank you for sharing. I like to hear the real stories from people like you. Keep on making!
Sometimes you need to add a little more moisture to your leather by wiping a damp sponge over the leather as you tool
@daggercrossover that is a very good point, thank you for sharing!
The learning never stops in leathercraft
@V3leathercraft It never really does with anything. Even a master will humble him or herself and realize there is always something new to figure out.
I've been doing leatherwork for 40 years; you gave some great advice to those who want to begin leather work. I have taught many people the craft and like you, I tell them to get what they on thier budget, and upgrade through the years. Had a student drop 1500 bucks at (insert leather supply store here) just to quit 3 months later and put his tools up for sale and he lost 1400 bucks. Start small and work up.
@glennmeeks2718 So many people go all in right away without testing their interest first.
I agree about buying leather for a beginner. When I shop for leather I figure the cost per square foot. A good quality vegtan can be had for about $5.00 a square foot. Premium goes for about $15.00. Different parts of a hide tool differently also and are reflected in price. That I don’t worry too much about when practicing. Main thing is cost per foot. Would you rather screw up $5.00 or $15.00? As far as weight of leather I like 8 to 10 ounce for what I do. That is another consideration. The thinner is usually cheaper.
@larry cumba you are right on the money about buying leather, different styles, weights, etc. There is so much information there it should really have its own video. Thank you so much for the additional information.
Hopefully more people order from the tannery. 175-250 per side depending on quality selected, avg 24sqft. They can split and have specially tanned for tooling. Go with the best you can afford and practice intentionally.
Working with lower quality leather is like using an xacto on 12oz leather; frustration.
@@nicholasnelums6668 Which tanneries do you prefer to order from? I have never done this before, but would love to try it.
@@bigstacksshop I'm a huge fan of Wickett & Craig. I will note that Horween reps give W&C a run for their money also. If you like a particular brand, look into the tannery, some will ship a single side, or chip, others won't.
@@nicholasnelums6668 thank you for the information.
All good points! I'd add to the hobby lobby leather by saying, on of the best things I ever did was find a whole sale cobbler supply locally in my city that was selling scrap by the pound. Opened me up to getting small test pieces of nicer tannages. I also developed a good relation with them, and now buy several higher end hides every year from them at prices way lower than most online stores.
@Weekend Builds I'm going to have to try that, thank you for the advice.
That's awesome! It's always cool to get to know other crafts people and if you can work out a deal, that's a major bonus! 👍
if you cut the eyes and mouth out before cutting the outline shape you have stronger bigger project to safely work on.
cool advice thanks!
@Bel Be That is a great idea. Thank you very much, I need to remember that.
Putting the cereal box back into the cupboard gave me a good chuckle.
@adrian solis thank you, I thought it was kind of funny too!
I am an experienced wood worker who was given a rubbermaid tub of leather pieces so that is what I am learning with
@michaeldof198 What a great find. I had been doing woodworking for many years when I eventually tried leather crafting.
Started my leathercraft journey when covid started back in early 2020. I try to discover everything on my own, as that's exactly the challenge I wanted. Started out with scrap leather but was able to move up to more expensive leather fairly quickly. The only thing I have yet to actually get into is stamping and carving leather. I can do simple things like like lines and cuts but when it gets to abstract, especially with carving, I reach my limits really quickly. Not to mention the loss of concentration. Maybe some day...
@Fuerwahrhalunke That's very awesome, keep at it. This is a very relaxing and rewarding hobby.
Thank you so much for this video. I have always struggled with the problem of being paralyzed by wanting to get things right rather than just getting in and finishing a project warts and all, so to speak. Not wanting to screw up a few hundred dollars worth of leather while also having zero experience and zero skills, what you said makes a lot of sense.
I'm off to get myself some "scribble" leather to learn on before attempting a masterpiece. 😊😊
@mattrickard3716 That's awesome. Don't be afraid, practice is how you master your skills, even when you move to good leather.
Great video! Spot on utilizing a countertop store. When I was in search of a piece of granite I went to my local store with money in hand. They pointed to the dumpster out back and said take all you want.
That's very awesome. I have an artist friend who used to get countertop scraps and used them for sculpture bases.
I picked up leather working as a hobby 2 years ago, looking to turn it into a side business soon. Some things I can add.
1. Keep your workspace clean. Not just before starting a project but between stages as well, leather is easy to mark and a stray bit of leather that you punched out earlier can get caught under the piece you are working on and make a mark or dent.
2. One project at a time, nothing is more demoralizing to me than seeing that unfinished project that I had to put aside for one reason or another, in most cases it was because of the next point.
3. Make sure you have all the parts you need for your project. I have only one saddle shop near me that carries the quality of buckles, rings and keepers that I like to use, they aren't open on weekends and I already have a full time job so I have trouble getting there most days. I occasionally order on line in bulk, but I also like to have that local connection to people that share my hobby.
4. Keep an eye out for people getting out of the hobby. I have twice found someone who was giving up the hobby for various reasons, I managed to get a full set of carving tools and stamps for a fraction of the retail cost.
5. Your first project will probably suck. My first project was a small pouch, it was terrible, if I made something like that today i would be embarrassed to give it to somebody. I still have it, it reminds me how much I have improved. I am good enough now to be happy to take private commissions and confident I can make what they want.
@kingdomrains these are all awesome points to remember. Thank you for contributing, and good luck with your side gig!😄
Oh boy, the first one I still violate when I'm too enthusiastic. Eventually I'll end up hammering a thread only to find out that there was a tiny hole punch extraction underneath it, making a nice deep noticeable dimple in the work.
@@JohnSmith-wj2wd I've done the same thing, my friend.
Good advise. I’ve been working with leather for ten years, and I agree with your comments. The intermediate leather is a good start. Starting out, I went to a local leather company (they were great!) and asked for the basics. I have built my collection of leather tools from there. Just finished a 30 page paper on the thinks I have learned in leatherwork.
@edgell3 Thank you. I bet there is a lot of advice on that 30 page paper, I'm sure it's gold. You should try turning it into videos on your channel. I'm subscribing just in case you do.
OK I've subscribed to so many Leatherwork channels that I'm reluctant to add anymore to my scrolling time but your little trick of using the cereal box before its empty sold me. 🙃
@dannylindsey7547 thank you very much. I'm looking forward to giving you some good content in your feeds.
Excellent pointers. I've been dying to get into leathercrafting, and research alone has been very enlightening. The best tip you gave is "Don't be afraid to fail." I heavily look forward to using cheap leather and copying many people with fun ideas, and I don't mind failing at all. Learning and becoming good is impossible without failures along the way. Fails teach us what to do differently, and things to avoid. Failure is one of the greatest teachers.
@Azelethros_OG thank you for the comment. Failure is one of our best teachers if we learn from it. I'm excited to see your projects. When you get in the shop and make some projects, tag me with @bigstacksshop on social media so I can see!
I must have missed the tip about recycling cardstock from packaging for pattern templates. When I set up my new shop I was on a tight budget and reused the card paper from cases of ginger ale to make my first patterns. I still have pouch patterns that say Canada Dry on one side, lol. 😁 Grabbing poster board from the dollar store is also super economical if there's one around.
@brianlawson3757 You are correct, nothing wrong with reusing. I used to buy detergent in a 4 gallon bucket so I had extra buckets.
I've used file folders, brown paper bags, cereal boxes, nonskid sheets from pallets, poster board, card stock the list continues. Use what you have available and don't be shy about it.
"Use what you have available and don't be shy about it." I love it!
Tandy Leather stores have boxes/bins of scrap leather that are free. They aren't fancy or big...but they are great for practicing!
@lindaharris8154 That is a great idea, thank you for sharing!
I buy my leather by the 1/4 and 1/2 cow, I can sometimes get deer,rabbit and sometimes exotics from the Tandy leather supply company 40 miles away, it’s a trip but I get to pick out what i want including if I want colored hides or any parts like rivets and buckles and a lot of other stuff while I’m there
@H R I wish we had tandy closer, mine is over 100 miles away. Apparently leather craft wasn't very popular in my area, but the craft is experiencing a rebound.
6:45 I buy used, second hand bags. The once expensive bags come with really nice hardwares too.
@silvermeasuringspoons6462 That is a great idea. You could get some really unique hardware for next to nothing.
when newbies come into the shop to buy stuff I always tell them start with basics to make sure you enjoy this before you buy a 90 dollar knife just get the box cutter first. All the tips you gave I give to my customers before i had a tandy near me i use to do Couch hunting and would cut off the backs, and the seats. Was so happy to use this cheap stuff just to get my skills down.
@wesley Unknown Sounds like you were the right kind of shop owner, and honest one who can gain his customers trust. Thank you commenting.
I made a leather bound coptic stitch book for a friend several weeks ago, and I've been getting interested in making gear for larping. Those things have led me to a fondness for leather and I'm glad to find your channel. Your sense of humor is great too lol. Thanks for the video man!
@McBernes Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm glad you've taken your passiom and find something to do with it. I have to admit, I can't promise a funny video everytime, but I can promise I will always do my best to deliver honest and relevant material.
Cheap material to start with: used leather from flea market's etc like leather jackets, couches, bags and so on.
@anyellmarkus9568 This is a great idea if it's cheaper than buying the leather new. Just be sure to match up the appropriate thickness of leather with the project you are making.
Great advice for beginners, that is basically how I started out and eventually branched out into western saddles, harness racing repair, and draft harness (except the collars - had an older gentleman that whipped them out almost as fast as we could keep him supplied). For myself it was great therapy for recovery from a severe concussion and drug addiction (avoid both, they ain't worth it) before I moved on to other pursuits - the small items could be made fairly quickly (where you make mistakes and learn) then you can start to make them fancier and start to explore and design your own items. Dull tools are dangerous tools - got a few scars to prove that 🤪. Wet your leather then wet it again and again for stamping and forming - too dry and your patterns fade, then again too wet and the leather goes mushy. A piece of shoe sole leather is great as a backing for punching holes, cutting mats are a great new fangeled item to protect and control your cuts (wood grain doesn't help for straight cuts). Snap off knives are a great tool, just snap them away from yourself just in case it doesn't snap cleanly. You can't beat a piece of marble for backing to stamp patterns on nor a good heavy bolted on vice or a piece of rail for rivets
Long time away from it now but still have my tools - assisted children with scout projects, and made some inserts for my shoes to adjust for a leg length issue following a knee operation and a few other fixes and repairs now and then. Maybe one of these days I'll finish up a 60% completed saddle 😜.
@Chris Cohlmeyer I never considered it, you are 100% correct. If you cut on plywood, your blade well want to follow the wood grain and you will most likelly never get a straight cut.
@@bigstacksshop What jacka$$ is telling folks to use a plywood cutting board? An HDPE kitchen cutting board is good for punching holes on one side and cutting on the other. A self-healing cutting mat is still very much recommended.
Can’t copy? Well there goes leather working can’t make belts wallets or anything. Like really.
Seriously I love your videos as I’m new to leather but your information has been very useful and now my go to source. Thank you my good man keep up the great work.
Thank you, I sincerely appreciate it and good luck with your projects. If you make something you are proud of, post it on social media with #bigstacksshop so I can check it out!
Hokieland, eh? Anyway, got a couple projects I've been wanting to start, but have been hesitant. Think I may get started with some practice pieces tomorrow now. Thanks!
@Jareth Griethe thank you for the comment. Glad the wheels are greased with motivation. If you feel up to posting them on social media, please tag me @bigstacksshop so I can see them.
My favorite part, hands down, is when you put the cereal box with a big hole in it back in the cabinet.
@Joseph Safin - thank you very much. I'm working on a video now and will have a few fun laughs in there as well.
Yeah, I would so do that, too!
I like to use the cheap cutting plastic cutting boards from harbor freight for my cutting surface.
@mikesandoval5296 they work great for a punch board as well. Thank you for sharing.
Ive been wanting to get into leather craft for years, I will start this year (!)
@darrylmcconnell7948 very awesome my friend. I'm looking forward to helping you any way I can!
Starting out and leather shopping, I recommend you grab some $20 bargin bin veg tan belly cuts. Find you one that’s firm on the back side, doesn’t look like it’s furry on the back. It’s usually 6-8 oz thickness which I good for sheathes, holsters, a lot of what’s typical early projects for most guys.
@invictushp1prop143 I love this idea. This was my first leather and the scraps usually already come in colors so you won't have to dye them.
Thank you. A worthwhile video. No music is a plus. Yes I subscribed.
@Bubba Thank you for the complement and thank you for subscribing. My personal feeling is there is a time and place for music, but not every single moment of every single video.
I made e few great (little) projects with the old boots of a friend. Nice leather and it didn't cost me an arm or leg :-) And tools from "way over the ocean".. 🙂
@maartwnhappel9014 what a great way to repurpose leather.
First off, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who's made a lathe burnishing tool! So much time saved with a dowl and 10 minutes of work! I have been using the hobby lobby scrap packs for about 6 months now and they actually have been getting fairly high quality scraps recently!
On the "Don't copy" bit: I've recently run into some fairly bad wallet patterns, so much so that I ended up grabbing some graph paper and made my own style of the same thing as what they sold, with much less waste. As someone who has experience with designing laser files, I'm not stranger to throwing my own flair on a concept I like. Thanks for the wise words!
@TheNightshiftGamer thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience. I thought I was the only one with a lathe burnisher.🤣🤣🤣 Apparently great minds think alike, there are probably thousands of then out there.
The Hobby lobby leather looks ok, but man it's so expensive. My advice is order some cheap stuff from Springfield leather (I am not affiliated in any way) you can get some decent quality chrome tan for $3-4 /ft or go super cheap and look for the super deals they have once or twice a year.
@@summonsays2610 Look for the hobby lobby leather sales to save 40% when you buy.
The “do not push” sign behind you kept grabbing my curiosity.
@Pef273 thank you for your comment. I'll eventually get to what it is used for. You just have to wait it out a bit longer. Subscribe so you won't miss it when I do use it.
There's so much valuable information in here. I feel like you went back in time and watched my Leathercraft career mistakes and lessons learned, took notes and posted it here lol. Awesome stuff. btw (i got corrected on this in an embarrassing way myself) detrimental means bad so saying that advice will be detrimental means it would be a negative thing. 😉✌
I fully agree with you on starting out with hobby lobby leather. That's exactly what I did and it also provided a great reference to see how tough it is but I learned a great many things with it. There is a place called Maverick leather Company that sells Horween Leather Second runs meaning they are tannery rejects. I have bought three sides of veg tan from them and got all of them for half price or less because they had defects in them. So if you can afford say 100-150 on a side of leather then I advise getting some of that too. The first side I got was a 21 sqft side of brown essex for 95 and this is leather that sells for 300 per side.
@robhite8885 Very awesome deal, thank you for sharing. Do these rejected pieces just have a few blemishes on them?
@@bigstacksshop From what I've purchased two of the sides had sections cut out of the center but otherwise were fairly uniform in coloration and appearance with few blemishes that I could notice but I am still a novice. The most recent purchase was a side of Horween Dublin and the coloration wasn't perfect on the back and there was one small (maybe 2mm circle that was very dark compared to the rest of the grain side but otherwise it's fantastic.
@@robhite8885 Sounds like it isn't a bad deal if you get a good discount.
Interesting and helpful video. Can you give some tips on using recycle leather from a jacket and for earrings, bracelets and the crown of a bucket ladies hat.
Sure, what kind of questions do you have?
Ordered a Tandy coin purse kit, 20-piece stamp kit from amazon, made it for Mom for Mother's Day this year. Thank you for the advice, the stamping was a bit frustrating since I worked off my tool bench. You are right a lot of bounce. Had a piece of granite from a water fountain project I did 25 years ago lol Mom always said save stuff you might need it. I needed it and it is the best. My consistency on the stamping has improved greatly.
@ghoulinthegraveyard399 That's awesome, I'm so glad everything worked out with your project and so happy you are now getting better results.
@@bigstacksshop Ty sir.😄
A great one I heard was to buy your headstone early and use that for a base. You'll have to buy it someday, and if you use it for leatherwork at least you'll get to enjoy it for a while.
@DukeFrazierProductiond Yes, my favorite youtube leather crafter, @DonGonzalezMaker uses a headstone, it should absorb any vibration. 🤣 Thank you for the comment.
Your channel is awesome😊👍 Your directions are clear, you understand the journey and struggles to get to the level you want to be someday, and you’re hilarious. Bravo. Good job.
@BabyJohn8170 I sincerely appreciate that. Thank you.
Good Advice Sir, I always start with a fresh blade, my fingers are worth it! Blades are cheap compared to a missing finger or stitches. With each new project from Sheaths, key chains, Belts and soon I will be making Back packs and bags. Leather ended up being a passion and my shop slowly expands 😉👍
@0311Devil Dog you are 100% correct, it's a good idea to minimize injuries.
Thank you for the comment and the advice on the leather.
@@bigstacksshop your welcome Sir, your tips are great for beginners, better to dabble on the cheap and expand after you decide you love it. As you grow, you realize the only limit is your imagination!
+0311Devil Dog I sincerely appreciate your feedback, and I'm with you 100%.
Been working with leather for s few years now. I agree with all of these points.
@user-rg2yp9dn3q thank you for your insight, it is much appreciated.
I've designed templates in Corel Draw. Print them out at a place like Staples and have them laminate them. Then punch them out and then use thumb tacks to mount it to the leather and then cut it out in the leather.
@colt5189 I've never thought of that. Do you have any issues with them delaminating? I mean, even if they eventually do, your idea is great because they are cheap and easy to make. Great idea!
@@bigstacksshopI've only done it a few times as I really only have one project as I'm recreating a stage prop to see if I can sell it. But I have to have everything line up exact since I have a lot of spots, so made a template that's semi-permanent. Though I could remake it if I needed to.
Had to be real careful cutting it out as my design is the size of a sheet of paper. So one screw up could mean having to have a new one printed and start over. Though I made it through without any screwups. Planned to use a small piece of clear packing tape if I screwed up any little place.
I've not had any issues with it "delaminating". Though you have to be careful when initially cutting out your design so you don't mess up your template as they are a few dollars to get made. Or you could print them out at home and laminate them at home. I'd recommend the kind that you put the paper through a roller press.
At Staples, I had them use thick paper with the thickest lamenant that went through rollers. Though my project is the size of a sheet of paper. So have to be careful when cutting out the slits as a screw up could ruin the whole template.
The better way would be to have a thin ridged piece of metal and have the design cut marks cut out with a water jet. Though I don't have access to one.
I bought my Juki 1541S at Keystone Sewing Machine in Philadelphia about a couple years ago. It had a brushed motor when I got it. I replaced it with a Consew CSM3000 brushless motor. I am very happy with the combination. I also have a couple of industrial blind stitch machines that I use to hem clothes.
@Jim Graham very nice. I've been considering a seeing machine because I hate hand stitxhing.
I LOVE Leathercraft & in my beginner time I use a lot of Pattens from Dieselpunkro & some more ! Very good Pattens whit really good tutorials!!! After that I make my own Pattens & work everyday whit lot of love!
@Dream Warriors I'm so glad to hear this. getting out into your shop can be so relaxing and is a great creative outlet. Keep on making!
finally! someone i dont have to explain my missing side cereal boxes in the cabinets to!!
@MomIrregardless Thank you so much. That joke never gets old! 🤣🤣🤣
You have a very calm and easy-going demeanor that makes the video a joy to watch all the while actually learning something. I thank you for excellent content.
@Watts Tommy thank you very much, I sincerely appreciate it and am humbled
What do you consider to be good quality leather? I did recently buy some leather from Amazon to do some testing on. I think it was $15 for a 12" x 12". Now the leather I got that I plan on making projects from to sell. I bought some 12" x 12" 5/6oz leather from Tandy's when I was out of town. I picked out the better pieces. I think they were $25 a piece, which I could have paid $80 for a side.
And recently I had to place an order online with a leather shop and bought a Hermann Oak 12" x 12" piece 5/6oz. I do find it interesting that some pieces are almost white looking and then some are more of a medium brown looking, the veg tan leather I buy.
@colt5189 goods quality leather can mean different things to different people, depending on how high their standards are. Some people will only use leather from well known tanneries like Wicket & Craig, Hermann Oak, or Horween. I'm fine using the stuff from hobby lobby for most items. I think it's more important to match the thickness of leather to the appropriate project. For instance, something like a wallet will use much thinner leather than a knife sheath.
Good stuff here. Been into LASER engraving and CNC cutting a few years now and woodcarving for several+ years now and really enjoy them all as hobbies. CNC or woodcarving, well sharpened tools are a absolute must. Recently I have become interested in working with leather because like woodcarving it is much more hands on. I am looking for designs that use both leather tooling and glass bead art applied on to or combined with that tooled leather as a complement. Where would be a recommended source of good information? Thanks again for good intelligent info.
@whocaresidontcare2166 Thank you very much for your comment and the kind words. I'm not sure the best place for both leather working and glass beads on the internet. I will say thar @dongonzales is my favorite leather crafter om youtube!
I found this one of the most honest videos I've watched and love your candor and reminder to remain humble in the beginning stages of learning since mistakes WILL happen. Thank you for the awesome advice, and willingness to share your knowledge. I have a lot of respect for the craft and am definitely still learning so look forward to watching your other videos!
@snwbrd686 Thank you very much for the complement! I look forward to putting together great content for you and the rest of the Big Stacks Family.
There r good ironsmiths around my place, made me knives, just have to give them the design. They were happy to make it to me, as they also learned three different styles of knives
@V3leathercraft Sometimes great people can come together to make reality phenominal things.
Good tip for the granite I looked on offer up and got a 3x4 slab for 25.00 on offer up of all places.
@Clyde Goman Sounds like a great price for what you got.
i made my own knives and they're sharp enough to cut through leather like butter.
when i bought an exacto knife to try out it was duller than my knives. some diamond sharpening stones are well worth it.
That's very awesome. I've planned on making my own leather carving knife for a awhile notw but keep making excuses. Did you use high carbon steel?
@@bigstacksshop i used 1095 steel from a old File.
i have a surface grinder i picked up for $800 and used it to remove the file teeth and shape the blade. wet stones took 4 hours for a perfect sharp blade, diamond sharpeners worked faster and did just as well.
@@darkshadowsx5949 Old files so have a higher carbon content and are great to make knives out of.
Best way to sharpen cutting leather tools
@ivanagis3248 That would make a great video topic. Thank you.
I have not done much leather work but my father worked horses and I spent many hours watching him repair harness , then as adult I riveted thousands of sections in swather and mower knifes . Two things I learned , use as solid a workbench as you can build , hardwood top 4-6 inch thick . And a section of railroad track for anvil
@out in the sticks thank you for sharing. A solid workbench is great for leather working and other projects. Since I think the workbench is the heart of every great shop, I should probably spend a month and show how to build one. And one with a railroad track as an all built in would be really cool.
@@bigstacksshop never thought about building it in . That would be really nice , having a anvil built right in , level with the bench
@@outinthesticks1035 that would be great. With a granite slab in the corner for tooling
New to the world of leather work and still trying to find my nitch.Thank you for the information, it's a far cry different from what I've been exposed to.
@Aixelsyd Dan I am humbled, thank you very much. Please feel free to click on the link in the description to sign up for my newsletter and get your free leather craft templates.
I have a small case that has my tools and some small projects. When I have to wait somewhere I take it out and cut or sew or things like that. For some reason this brings me joy. I only have a few tools like the advice here and I am able to do quite a lot. I made a lot of projects from kits before I started making my own templates. This video was spot on.
@Randy Crum Thank you for the kind words. I'm setting up a travel bag with a set of tools I can take camping with me. If you have any advice on what to pack, I would definitely appreciate it.
@@bigstacksshop I have a small black canvas case from Harbour Freight and I keep the usual tools: A squeeze type punch (I do not have the other kind - yet), a pair of KITCHEN sheers (much to the dismay of my wife), a few spools of thread, some glue that I do not use much. One thing I wish I had was a good way to keep the needles because I lose them too much. We took a road trip about a month ago and I also had two kits for my teenagers: a wallet kit for my son who has a lot of experience putting things like models and furnature together following directions, and a coin purse for my daughter who I thought I would just wet her intrest with a short easy project. It turned out the wallet is still not done and the coin purse was done in about 20 minutes. But yes, I can keep some plastic bags with kits in there. Of course, I keep the leather pieces I need for the projects. No dyes, paints, or liquids. Hope this helps.
@Randy Crum That's very awesome. Im not big on the squeeze punches, but I can see where it's handy for what you are doing. I'll be dropping a video very soon about leather drive punches under $20 on Amazon in case you were interested in buying a set down the road. You also gave me an idea for a future project.
i buy hobby lobby leather and it works PERFECT! thank you for supporting them
i will say that hes saying the truth about veg tan! get it first always....
@thejohnsons7088 thank you very much for sharing!
I recently made a hilariously awful set of bracers from a Walmart purse for my Halloween outfit and I’m definitely glad I figured out how grommets work on that first. Your sense of humor is great and this video helped settle my nerves about leatherwork. 🤓
+Julia L Thank you very much. Keep at it, leather work is just like anything else - the more you practice the better you will get. I have faith in you and know you will keep getting better.
I feel your pain. Grommets and eyelets feel like they were designed to never set properly on the first go. I still try to avoid using them when I can. 😅
"Cheap" Hobby Lobby leather? Saw a veg belly for 39.99 at my local one. Best places for cheaper leathers I've found are Springfield Leather, Rocky Mountain Leather, and Tandys runs some great black Friday and Christmas sales. Springfield is also really good because for $30 a year you can purchase a wholesale subscription. This applies to their hardware and they have a lot of nice Conchos, buckles, and many other things.
@Gregory Tayes I have to agree with you, the sticker price on Hobby Lobby tooling leather isn't cheap. I was more or less referencing a direct quote from the original video with the bad advice.
However, by the time you factor in Tandy shipping costs and the 40% Hobby Lobby discount when it's on sale, buying from Tandy and Hobby Lobby isn't too much of a price difference. Plus, you won't have to wait a week or two for shipping.
I didn't know about the wholesale discount from Springfield, and I appreciate you posting this. I'm definitely looking into this sometime in the near future.
Thanks for this lovely advice! I really liked you last advice, since I recently started a small buisnes. I learn from challenging commissions from friends and yes, copying what I see. But this gives me great oppotunity to learn and try new technikes.
@janniepoels595 thank you for your comment. Good luck on your business. If you want to learn about how I price my work, check out my latest video: th-cam.com/video/16ktifVo3Qg/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the tips. I'm just starting so I need all the help I can get ;)
@simonhopkins3867 absolutely, thank you for the comments. If you are looking for some beginner projects, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get free templates.
You should link your Amazon rec list to all your videos and in your about. I’m getting started I found your vid’s very useful.
@brendazamora I appreciate the comment and I agree. That's a great idea. 👍
3:32 - as for the hard surface - it's even better to go and visit a tombmaker - might get a marble piece for a song...
@Przykominku That's a great idea. It's also ticket and so absorb vibration much better when tooling
This video was great, just subscribed! My first ever project was as sheathe from a very old scrap that had been on a quiver. Maybe it was because the leather was so old, but it wouldn't wet form at all! That was 2 years ago and after making some more sheathes and even armor, I think I'm ready to start my journey into the world of tooling. Thanks for all the advice in this video!
@Living Anachronism thank you for commenting and subscribing. Id love to see some of your armor and sheaths. Post some pictures on social media and tag me with @bigstacksshop so I can see them!
I cover all of these when I teach classes. I think you hit just about all the points. Awesome job. :D
@George Jones thank you very much. What are some of the things you teach in your classes? I'd love to hear about them.
@@bigstacksshop Different types of leather we sold, how they were made, what they were good for, as well as stamping & tooling/carving, dying, and hardware setting. I also taught how to use tools and how to care for them.
@@bigepup22 please send me an email, I'd love to talk to you more about this.
And I never thought of waxing my punches before but I typically have only done quick projects or repairs.
@LegionaireSiggi makes punching holes so much faster! Thank you for your comment
So happy to have found your channel. I am learning so much. You have a new subscriber.😊👍
@BabyJohn8170 That you very much, my friend!
Underrated channel. Subscribed
@juliemclean6743 thank you very much, I appreciate the kind words and the subscription.
Hey partner if making an revolver holster and you want a lining whats best?
@maxhoyle2134 I've seen where people have lined them with suede before, but many people just use a durable veg tan to make the sheath and call it a day. Whatever you do, please don't use chrome tanned leather because the chemicals could ruin the finish on your piece.
I first started leathercraft some years ago when we had to get rid of an old leather couch. I tore it apart, made belt pouches, and ended up selling some on Etsy. I wouldn't try to sell something like that now that I know more, but if someone wanted large pieces of practice leather, and had the means, I always see people trying get rid of old furniture for free.
@irishkrautbear you can get some leather from discarded furniture. Most leather furniture now just uses leather on the seats and arm rests. Did you find the backs and sides of your couch are vinyl, or we're they also leather?
@@bigstacksshop Full leather. Looking back it was a gold mine for starting out.
You remind of my incredibly smart BIL. He always makes me laugh, with his clever comments. Ill subscribe.
@matthewcomba1489 I appreciate the subscription, and the kind words, my friend.
@@bigstacksshop Anyone who can make me laugh out loud while alone in my workshop gets my vote everytime. I wish more TH-camrs were like you.
@@COEYRN I just like to have fun no matter what I do. Great minds think alike
Love this video! Very encouraging!! Thank you!
@christinemagnusson5311 Thank you very much! There is a follow up video I did about two months ago.
very sound advice, honest attitude and a good deal of humour :) just subscribed. greetings from greece
@ILOVDMFEO Thank you very much for the complement.
I started leather working a few months ago. My first project was a coin purse, my own design and patterns. Stitching looks good and is straight, edge burnishing is nice looking, made a stop bead from maple. It will hold up to $30 in quarters.
I'm 56 and a life long hobby junkie. Plastic model cars, radio controlled cars, boats, aircraft. Glass blowing, sewing, auto and motorcycle restoration. Welding and fabrication. The list is long and I still do most everything except radio controlled stuff due to over regulation and lack of people actually interested in building their own toys, everything these days is about instant gratification.
When I start a new hobby it's a commitment and I'm all in. In six months or so I've dropped some bank on tools, equipment and leather. I don't understand why you dissed Hobby Lobby leather though. They sell a lot of high quality leather and a lot nice scrap that is nice sized and good quality. I've spent more than $2k on leather from hobby lobby and I'm very well stocked on large hides, some of this leather is very nice quality. I'm currently working on designing a hand bag for my wife. I'm a fast learner and my past hobbies put me far ahead on overall skills.
My point being, not everyone needs to start with the most basic project, we all start. I'm currently learning to use snaps and rivits and so far this has been the only thing I've found to have a lifted learning curve, so far so good.
I have to say, I'm loving this hobby and I'm happy I took the dive.
@claytonpratt1312 I'm not totally knocking hobby lobby leather. They do have some decent selections, but a bit overpriced for the good stuff. I only buy it when it's on sale. They do have some inexpensive cuts which really suck, but the price is definitely right for a beginner just getting started.
I'm much like you, I am a hobby nut. My shop size is what limits me. I don't like to get rid of tools, so I can fix most anything with what's in my garage.
Thank you for your comment
Beautiful work Thanks
@sobeidacastro2339 Thank you very much for the comment and the kudos.
love your videos, what is your stamping machine called? i just started trying to work with leather and i cant hit the mallet hard enough, or i do and get a double design
@EllieSmith-w7q Its a 1 ton arbor press I got from Harbor Freight. Really great little tool. I plan on doing a follow up Harbor Freight Leatherworking video, where I will go into more details about it.
Thanks for this. A lot of the bad advice I've heard is in this video. Thanks for covering it.
Good job.
@mcewenhandcraft6043 Much appreciated, there was so much bad advice out there. Thank you for your comment.
I started with a piece of ply-wood... that I put the cheap cutting mat I got at Walmart on. Then I found an (expensive) adjustable height worktable with a solid wood butcherblock top at Home Depot. Couldn't resist the upgrade and told myself it was my Christmas present to myself for the next 5 years. :)
Love that worktable. Good choice.
@Michael Holbrook , Getting that cutting mat on there is the key to saving your blades. I bet that butcherblock is a great solid top for your worktable.
I believe I bought the same adjustable table and it works great. Very solid surface. My table also has the 2 drawers which I didn't want at first but so happy I did.
I love the part of cutting the cereal box and put it back in the cabinet,🤣
@sipapito Thank you, that just popped in my head as something you would do if you didn't have the cardboard
Thanks
Just starting out in leather work and I was wondering why I never see scissors being used to cut out leather?
@pameladaltom2457 I actually do sometimes use heavy duty shears or leather scissors, especially when making rough cuts or cutting larger curved areas. They just don't provide the precision a knife doors, or at least that's been my experience.
There is no harm trying out both methods and seeing which one you prefer. Just be sure to use heavy duty scissors or shears.
LOVE THE SHIRT!! POYB!!
@billybarnes1763 Thank you very much, though I'm afraid I don't know what POYB stands for.
Great video. Definitely subscribing.
@Rivers18 Thank you very much.
I bought a panel of genuine leather when i first started, probably in 2020, i made a wallet out of it, and it is still looked great, maybe it was mislabelled by the seller or each seller has different definitions to genuine leather
@Deave Edis that quite possibly could be true. If it looks good and holds up, it still helped you get to where you are today. Thank you for sharing.
And thanks for such nice video 👏🏼
hi, great advises, in terms of materials, the cutting mat?, I live outside US, thanks
@tableta6305 thank you for sharing. I'm not sure what material the cutting mat is made from. If you look at my most recent video, I have an Amazon link to a cutting mat in the comments. You might find a little more information there.
Great video and great advice.
I really like your advice that is OK to copy others when you are a beginner, this really is good advice, you will learn and this will give you experience and confidence. Before you know it you will be creating your own unique designs, learned from the skills that you learned from coping others. Good advice. Thank you.
@Paul Chevrier thank you very much. You're absolutely right, you learn how to make your own designs by copying others first.
I appreciate your advice.
@CarolynaLovely Thank you very much!
Good video man! Thank you!
@louisbourgeois206 Thank you very much, my friend. I appreciate it.
Hiya, big Stax;
I just got a new knife w/ a leather sheath.
I want a drain hole in the tip, right in the bottom.
The leather is 4mm thick, folded on itself w/ a strip in the sewn joint.
Can you tell me a good way to put a hole in the end of filler/spacer strip?
Thank you in advance for kind assistance.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
+Jon Steedley Hmmm, I'd have to see a picture to give you some solid advice. If I'm picturing it correctly, that strip you are talking about is called a "welt" and gives some durability. I would make a new sheath and taper off the welt a bit just short of the end so there is a hole there.
@@bigstacksshop
Thank you, Sir!
@@jons2447 of course, you are most welcome.
I started out with cheap Amazon tools. I got leather on Amazon too, not having working relationships or experience with smaller companies. My beef is with finding decent hardware for leather. I have a picnic basket that needed all new handles and straps. I made them perfectly but the dang snaps wouldn’t set properly. I went through like 5-6 per snap! I set them dead square too so I’m sure it wasn’t me- but I will leave room for that possibility. Lol
I got into Viking stuff during Covid due to being super bored. I enjoy showing up with my husband at Renn Faire decked out in authentic kit.
I’ve subscribed! Your channel is very cool. Big Stacks to us means big stacks of money. Hope you’re getting loads. 👍🏻
@LilyoftheValeyrising Thank you for the complements. The hardware our there does suck, but according to other channels I've watched @Buckleguycom has good hardware.
I started this channel because I found myself sitting on the couch eating snacks and watching TH-cam. I needed to get back into my shop, and I really wanted to encourage other people to get into their shops as well. That's why I focus on a lot of beginner stuff, so people won't be intimidated to try new things.
@@bigstacksshop no problem! Thanks for the suggestion. I can relate to the snacks and TH-cam! I can easily find myself watching life instead of living it! Lol
@@LilyoftheValeyrisingWith all the late night calories I was taking in, "Big Stacks" was going to be known as "Big Snacks" if I kept it up.
Just a second note on hardware I forgot to mention. Weaver does make some awesome hardware, but it isn't the cheapest. Since they specialize in horse tack gear, their products have to be incredibly strong and durable.
@@bigstacksshop That’s great to know! Thanks for the update.
Sound advice! I wish when i got started (about a year ago) i would of seen your video. Keep 'em coming.
@Jc McDaniels, thank you very much. I appreciate the feedback. 😄
To be honest, if i would like to start agian , i will just buying cutting dyes, chinesse one, and with arbor press, with less than 200$ you will strart makeing great high quality work Even if you are new, cutting leather by hand is nice and you will learn alot, but for me was a waste of time and less quality product, make few projects, like 1-3 but make it perfect is the right way. To start. Inshalaah.
@sajedodeh2729 thank you for sharing. The cutting dies are really great to churn out projects quickly and efficiently. I have a number of them in my possession. I would spring the extra $$$ for the Japanese steel if it is available
My fleshing beam is made from spalted maple
@donaldslayton2769 I have to admit, I had never heard of a fleshing beam until now, but I wasn't very familiar with the tanning process. Is there a particular reason spalted maple is used?
Yeah, with any craft there's a section of folks who will do intro videos and suggest expensive tools/ materials bc they actually want to exclude people by creating barriers to entry and seem much more awesome
@reverandronsrevelationroom that could definitely be a possibility. Thank you for sharing.