#tools for working with leather

[dapurinthos]

forever annoyed at the lack of non-woven jedi garments. excuse you, fibrecraft is the basis of society. where are they getting their cloth from? are they weaving it themselves? are they spinning it themselves? where is the knitwear. you cannot tell me that there are no sweaters in the jedi order. there are probably hideous sweaters made from fourteen different colours of yarn because they're made from the wool leftover from other projects. all of the colours manage to clash. and embroidery is just too good for teaching patience. hand-sewing in general is good and meditative.

these people are going to be darning their own socks, patching holes in their robes. they are going to have needles and thread in their survival kits and know how to hold the cloth tension just right with the force so they can re-weave the bigger holes by using tiny, straight sticks to hold the warp in place.

[punchspeedchunk]

Never posted my process shots for the Leather Carving/tooling piece I made for this year's Easter Show. Ta-daaaa.

This killed my arthritic little hands to do 🙃 The OG design is mine, did the Unicorn from scratch in my sketchbook, scanned it, did the BG digitally so I could use mirror tool, printed it on tracing paper and traced with my scribing tool onto the leather.

I also tested colours on the digital version before dying the real thing, which is so very handy. I also plan to clean up and properly colour the digital version to go on my RedBubble.

[moonlitcoyote]

Finished my little round wristlet clutch featuring my favorite critter- Coyote. I couldn’t resist the aqua leather in my stash for the body.

This was a pattern test, so it’s not lined or anything like that. I’ll figure that out now that I know the body pattern is sound. I don’t mind the flesh side of the leather.

The coyote panel is carved out of 5-6 oz Hermann Oak leather, painted, dyed and then antiqued.

It’s all hand sewn too.

[reksink]

Strangely Cladded Wizards

[tyetknot]

So it turns out this is MUCH easier when you have 1) a better stitching punch 2) glued the leather together along the seams 3) a stitching pony

[yoiku]

suddenly consumed by the mad crafty creature's lust for carving. I don't even have any ideas but my brain wants to carve a piece of wood or a lino sheet or something lol. i want the feeling of doing it instead of any grandeur ideas of what i'd carve. ya'll know what i mean right?

[thelastlightningbug]

i’m making myself a pair of aerial boots, since i want to train chains soon and they hurt you in the ankles and feet, but i have been sewing this awful stiff pleather so long my hands are sore. yeowch how ironic

[liberty-spiked]

i need stamp paper. i wanna make cheap stickers at home :D

[thatrandombystander]

Well I've ordered the specific buckle (plus a few extras of regular locking buckles just to bundle shipping) for my Tristamp Vash cosplay. Alas it's got a huuuge delivery window. Anywhere from next week to the week before the convention.

Hopefully it won't arrive too late, but at the very least I have the measurements for the buckles, so I should be able to start on the holster(s) + belt as soon as I'm in the headspace to start on that.

(Brain currently focused on the arm and unable to take on extra information to make the belt stuff. Will need to visit the craft store to see the faux leather options I have to work with too.)

[transamus]

yeah! like again it would heavily depend on your starting conditions. luckily though, you can use plant fiber for a good portion of things that would otherwise require leather under normal circumstances...

as for making a mill, if you really know what you're doing, you could reasonably set up DaVinci's mill if you had the food to dedicate a solid month to it, but that's pretty much assuming you do have basic metals readily available.

luckily for "it cascades down" though, tools can pretty easily be repurposed and improved Using themselves! Like you can use a basic bowstring lathe to make a better lathe, you can use a basic saw to make a better saw, basic files to make better files, eventually repurpose the blade of the saw for a mill.

i think you'd be cutting it pretty tight obviously but a team with a decent amount of craftwork experience i think could get it done, it really just depends on like, whether or not you're strictly adhering to real-world historical technological progress, or jumping ahead & skipping steps.

(also for the engine, you could theoretically make it out of wood, if you were using Steam, which would cut down on the metal needs immensely)

its terrible for any number of reasons, but i think if we invent immortality there should be an extreme sport called civilizational speedrunning where teams of 20 go into the wilderness somewhere and try and be the fastest build the first internal combustion engine. i bet you could get it down to like 3 years tops

[boltbelts]

Why the Leather Carpenter Tool Belt Is a Game-Changer for Carpenters

When it comes to carpentry, having the right gear can significantly enhance a professional’s productivity, comfort, and overall performance. A leather carpenter tool belt is the perfect solution for carpenters who require durable, long-lasting, and customizable tool storage. Unlike synthetic options, leather tool belts are known for their superior durability, natural comfort, and the ability to withstand the rigors of daily work. In this article, we will explore why the leather carpenter tool belt is a game-changer for carpenters, how it improves their workflow, and why investing in high-quality leather gear like Bolt Belts can drastically enhance a carpenter’s productivity.

The Durability That Carpenters Need

Carpenters work in some of the most demanding environments. Whether on construction sites, remodeling homes, or crafting custom wood pieces, their tools are often exposed to harsh conditions. Leather carpenter tool belts are crafted from full-grain leather, the highest quality leather available. Full-grain leather is known for its incredible strength, resistance to abrasions, and ability to handle the heavy-duty demands of the carpentry profession. The rugged durability of leather ensures that the tool belt lasts longer than synthetic options, even in the face of constant use, sharp objects, and heavy tools. The natural fibers of leather provide a higher resistance to wear and tear, making leather tool belts perfect for carrying hammers, chisels, tape measures, and other heavy tools that carpenters frequently use. Additionally, unlike nylon or polyester tool belts, leather maintains its structure, ensuring that each tool remains in its designated spot, even after long hours of heavy use. Bolt Belts’ leather tool belts are built with reinforced stitching and durable rivets, providing long-lasting strength for heavy-duty tools.

Unmatched Comfort for Long Working Hours

One of the main issues carpenters face when working long hours is discomfort. Standard tool belts can dig into the hips, causing pain and distraction throughout the day. Leather carpenter tool belts solve this issue by offering a natural, ergonomic fit that improves with each use. Leather's flexibility allows it to mold to your body, which provides better weight distribution and reduces the strain on your hips, lower back, and legs. When you wear a leather tool belt, it becomes an extension of your body, offering a custom fit that no synthetic material can match. This ergonomic design ensures that your tool belt is comfortable for extended wear, reducing fatigue during long workdays. The premium leather used in Bolt Belts’ carpenter tool belts also incorporates padding in key areas, such as the waistband and straps, to further enhance comfort. This thoughtful design not only supports your body but also keeps you focused on the task at hand instead of adjusting or shifting an uncomfortable tool belt.

Perfect Organization for a Carpenter's Tools

A carpenter’s toolkit is diverse, ranging from small measuring tools to heavy-duty hammers. The ability to organize and access these tools quickly is essential for maximum efficiency. Leather carpenter tool belts are designed to provide a perfect balance of multiple compartments, loops, and pouches to hold a variety of tools. One of the main advantages of leather is that it is highly customizable. Professional carpenters can select a leather carpenter tool belt that best suits their specific needs, with options for different-sized pouches for nails, screws, and other small items. Hammer loops, tape measure holders, and pencil slots are designed to keep the most commonly used tools easily accessible, reducing time spent searching for tools and improving overall workflow.

Unlike fabric tool belts, which can lose their shape over time, leather maintains its structure, ensuring that each tool remains in its designated spot, even after long hours of heavy use.

Enhancing Productivity and Reducing Downtime

Carpenters need to stay focused, and the last thing they want is to waste time looking for the right tool. A leather carpenter tool belt enhances productivity by keeping everything organized and accessible. Whether you're working in a confined space or on a large construction site, having your tools at your fingertips allows you to complete tasks more efficiently, cutting down on unnecessary downtime. Carpenters often need to move quickly between different tasks, whether measuring, cutting, or installing. With a leather tool belt, all necessary tools are securely held in place, ensuring that you don't waste time searching for the right item. This increased organization can dramatically improve job site efficiency, allowing carpenters to complete projects on time and with fewer interruptions.

By investing in a high-quality leather tool belt, carpenters eliminate the hassle of frequent tool replacements or adjustments. Leather tool belts from Bolt Belts are designed to withstand the rigors of the trade, reducing the need for replacements and maintenance.

The Timeless Appeal and Investment Value

One of the greatest advantages of a leather carpenter tool belt is its longevity. While synthetic materials often break down over time, leather improves with age. As you use it, the leather becomes softer and more comfortable, molding to your body’s shape and taking on a rich, unique patina.This durability makes a leather tool belt a wise investment for professional carpenters. A high-quality leather tool belt, when properly cared for, can last for years, making it a cost-effective solution in the long run. The quality craftsmanship of Bolt Belts’ leather tool belts ensures that your investment will provide value for years to come, maintaining both style and functionality.

Why Choose Bolt Belts for Your Leather Tool Belt?

At Bolt Belts, we understand that every carpenter has different needs when it comes to their gear. Our leather tool belts, including our leather carpenter tool belts, are designed with the highest quality full-grain leather and built to last. We offer a range of customizable options, including pouches, loops, and straps, allowing you to tailor your leather tool belt to your specific trade and work style. Our belts are engineered for comfort, durability, and functionality, providing the ideal solution for carpenters who want to stay organized, efficient, and comfortable throughout their workday. Each of our leather tool belts is handcrafted to ensure the highest standard of quality.

Conclusion:

The leather carpenter tool belt is more than just a piece of equipment — it’s an investment in your comfort, productivity, and overall success as a carpenter. With its unmatched durability, comfort, and functionality, a leather tool belt is a must-have for anyone serious about their craft. Explore Bolt Belts’ collection of leather carpenter tool belts today and experience the difference that quality craftsmanship can make in your workday. Don’t settle for less—choose a tool belt that works as hard as you do.

[kacyo-shop]

Porta tabacco in cuoio inciso effetto invecchiato 🍂

Per acquistare ​⤵️​

[sheliesshattered]

Despite having a dozen or more things that I want to sew, and fabric just sitting around waiting to be turned into wearable objects, I've take a bit of a break from sewing since the beginning of the year. There was quite a list of reasons keeping me from sewing -- work and illness and Gally prep, etc -- but I think most of those have cleared up now, and I'm hoping to get back into the swing of sewing again.

First though, I have a project on my worktable that was my birthday present to myself: a new, more Star-Wars-y belt for my Batuu Bounding/Star Wars OC outfit. When I put the outfit together last year, I was able to hide all of the closures except for the cool, unusual-looking hooks and eyes -- and the buckle of my belt. There wasn't much I could do about the belt at the time besides rotate it so that the buckle was behind my back and at least partially hidden by my hooded wrap. Good enough for an original character that's not actually trying to replicate anything directly, but in thinking about wearing the outfit again for this year's Star Wars Nite at Disneyland, the belt was the obvious thing to upgrade.

I looked around at a bunch of options online, including both full belts and belt hardware meant for cosplaying named characters like Luke and Han, but I didn't see much of anything I liked for less than $60 at a minimum -- and even then, much like my lightsaber, I don't want to be wearing someone else's belt, I want to be wearing items unique to Samæni Ray.

Eventually I settled on an unusual (but not OOAK) belt buckle I found on Etsy that's supposedly from the 1980s or 1990s, that I felt like had a Star Wars type flair:

My original plan was to pair this with a belt from Amazon that's meant for pairing with stand alone belt buckles, using snaps to attach the belt to the buckle on the non-buckling side. But a lot of the reviews (on all the listings for belts like these, not just the one I linked) mentioned that the snaps are not strong enough and have a tendency to come undone while wearing it. One person mentioned popping the snaps out and replacing them with Chicago screws -- so I figured, why not just start there?

So instead of a ready-made belt, I found a belt blank on Amazon, already dyed and with the edges smoothed, but otherwise just an unmodified piece of leather. I picked out one in a width and color that would coordinate with the belt clip I got last year with the intention of hanging my lightsaber hilt from it. I still haven't actually used it for that yet, lol, but at Star Wars Nite last year it came in very handy when we managed to get into Oga's without reservations, and stood at the bar to enjoy our drinks. I was able to clip my entire lightsaber bag to my belt and balance it on my foot, keeping it out of the way and allowing me to have my hands free for my drink. I also use the little D-ring at the bottom to clip my leather fingerless gloves on when I need to take them off, so it's one of those practical bits of kit that also adds visual texture and interest.

I knew I wanted to keep that belt clip as part of my Samæni kit, but knew that as long as I kept the belt width to 1.5" it'd be easy to transfer it from my old belt to the new one.

That belt clip (along with my lightsaber and a few other details on the outfit) also helped steer me towards silver-toned hardware, and with the buckle picked out I found a set of Chicago screws in a nice matching gunmetal silver. My knowledge of leatherworking is theoretical at best, but I have used Chicago screws for past projects and figured that it would give me just the right level of permanent attachment for this belt buckle -- I can change it out if I ever want to, but it won't just pop open while I'm wearing it.

The belt blank arrived before the buckle (Amazon shipping vs Etsy from the other side of the country) so I took a little time to read up on belt making before I started in on anything. I came across some advice on skiving the end of the leather that folds back on itself to secure the buckle, to reduce bulk. I don't have a skiving knife but I made do with various cutting tools I do have on hand, and then sanded down the skived end to smooth out any unevenness, focusing on 2" at one end of the belt. I also chiseled a little channel right at the 2" mark to make it easier to fold over nice and clean right there.

With that done, I did two rounds of leather conditioner on the entire belt, letting it dry for a day in between, and then dripped a little water into the fold channel. I went slow and gentle with folding it over, having read that the face of the leather can split if you don't give it enough time and water to stretch well. Once it was folded well I used scraps of fleece fabric to cushion the leather and then quilt clips and one big binder clip to hold the fold in place. I let that sit for two days (since the buckle hadn't arrived yet) and by the time I unclipped it, the leather had settled into a very nice fold.

The next step will be punching holes for the Chicago screws to hold the buckle in place. I've been looking at a bunch of screen-used Star Wars belts and playing around with placements by just resting the screws on the leather, since once I punch the holes there's really no going back from it. Several Star Wars belts, including Han Solo's and Jyn Erso's, use a four rivet/screw square layout:

There are others that use a triangular layout:

And various belts -- a couple of Luke's in particular -- that use two rivets/screws either horizontal to the belt:

Or vertical to the belt:

After a lot of consideration, I think that last option is the one I'm going to go with. Over the next few days I'm going to use some of my tools for setting grommets to punch the holes for the screws in both the front of the belt and the folded under, skived end. Once those screws are in, I'll be able to try the belt on with the rest of my outfit and mark a place for a hole for the peg of the buckle. I might add another pair of Chicago screws to the other end of the belt, so that it's symmetrical around the buckle, and maybe others for visual interest, but I'll wait to see how I feel about it once I get that far.

[punchspeedchunk]

Time to play 'Am I being competitive or just insane?'

Because this might just look like a neat Mucha inspired sketch base, but it is actually a design I've made to carve in leather and enter in the Easter Show. THIS year.

This is what I did LAST year:

And the result which I spent every single spare minute on for the three weeks leading up to drop-off for the show

It doesn't photograph well (And the yellow dye has darkened over the last year), but I did get a highly commended ribbon for it, and the ones that beat me out were extremely deserving because they were insannnnnnne.

So I do kinda have to go mental if I wanna place higher. My instructor has recommended I try some sculptural push-out with the unicorn, and like... I can TRY but the leather I have is pretty thick and I don't have any filler putty shit, but paper clay might do the job *shrug*.

ANYWAY this isn't even the only piece I'm putting in and I have to have this shit done by the 25th of March soooo RIP my arthritic ass my hands are gonna be fucking cooked, but hopefully I'll get a placement that wins me actual money and not just clout lol.

This is my other piece btw and my ass does NOT remember how to double-cord-over lace, I have undone the start bit so many times TuT;;;

(It's a planner cover, the insert has an A5 ring binder with diary pages, it came as a plain cover kit and the cover designs were all free-handed by me).

I decided to do another carving/tooling piece for this year on a fucking WHIM by the way, I do not know why, and I am already looking at these lines I have made for myself and am wondering what the fuck my damage is. Too late to back out as well, entries are set and closed and I have paid my $15 fee.

:')

[leashedlycanleather]

As you feel the hairs stand up on the back of your neck you get the strange sensation someone is watching you. But who is it? And Why? Why does it follow you everywhere you go?

[handicraftvilla]

The Art of Leather Working: Essential Tools and Techniques

The Art of Leather Working: Essential Tools and Techniques

Leather working is a centuries-old craft that has stood the test of time. From creating functional items such as belts and wallets to intricate pieces of art, leather works have always been admired for their durability and beauty. If you're new to this exciting world, here are some essential tools and techniques to get you started.

Tools You Need:

1. Cutting tool - A sharp knife or rotary cutter will be your go-to tool for cutting leather into desired shapes and sizes.

2. Stitching awl - This pointed tool is used to create holes in the leather for stitching.

3. Hammer/mallet - Used for pounding down stitches or stamping designs onto leather.

4. Leather needles - These needles have a triangular point specifically designed for piercing through thick layers of leather when hand sewing.

5. Edge beveler - To smooth out rough edges on your finished project, an edge beveler is a must-have tool in every leather worker's kit.

Techniques to Master:

1. Dyeing/Coloring Leather – The most common way to add color to your projects is by using dyes specially made for use on vegetable-tanned leathers (the best type of leather for beginners). Experiment with different colors and techniques like dip dying or antiquing to achieve unique results.

2. Sewing/Stitching – Whether it’s saddle stitching, lockstitch, or whipstitch, mastering these basic sewing techniques will allow you to join multiple pieces of cut-out patterns together seamlessly without any visible seams showing up on the outer side of your workpiece!

3. Punch Saddling Stitches- When punching saddler stitch holes along two patches which are supposed 

to come together eventually, make sure that both hole rows line up perfectly so that they fit well once stitched together. Also,    It gives stability & makes easier while placing hardware etc..

Conclusion:

With the right tools and techniques, leather working can be a therapeutic and rewarding hobby. So gather your supplies, let your creativity flow, and create beautiful pieces of art through this timeless craft. The possibilities are endless!