Leather working tools? Help!

[almrc]

Hi All

I've recently started learning leather work. I am looking for somewhere to buy some tools and have no idea where? The main thing I am after is an awl, a diamond shaped one. I bought one off ebay. It came with the handle separated from the metal bit which kept falling out and then broke so first of all how do you get the metal bits to stay in the awl, where can I buy replacement metal bits, and is it better to get fixed awls?

Also I need to know where to buy thread, the 3 strand type waxed thread (sorry I am not up on names of tools etc yet as I am sure you can tell!). The last thing I would like to know is where can I get leather hide from the stuff that you can make bridles from I just want some to cut up and play about with.

Thanks all for your help in advance, I know H&H can help!

 

[ha903070]

Search for Abbey saddlery on google, email then asking for an account and say you are starting up in leatherwork. Once they send you access details you can see all the prices, you can pretty much get anything from there. They also sell bridle and stirrup butt plus panel hides etc. I use them alot.
I also buy tools etc from Le Prevo (again search on google). They also do cut straps of bridle butt.
You can get second hand tools off ebay too.

I havent bought any leather from either but on my course Abbey were recommended for the John White's leather (I live only a few miles from the place where it is made so I go get my butts direct from them)

Good luck.

 

[almrc]

Can you only buy leather if you are a business? I am only learning and doing it as a hobby for now! Yes I have found tools on ebay but they are perhaps not so great! Will google those 2 names though - thank you, there doesnt seem to really be many places around

 

[almrc]

I visit a local master saddler (well not really local but about an hour away!) and I have been learning a lot of things from him, lovely old man - so far I have made a belt, learnt a lot of processes and most recently making a bridle! All hand made of course but just need these tools so I can sew my bridle at home

 

[unicornleather]

PS when you get a new diamond awl blade put it between two 2p pieces with the end you need to go in the wooden handle upwards and put it in a vice.The copper 2p pieces stop the metal vice damaging or blunting the awl. Get a wooden handle offer it up to the awl blade and tap it home with a mallet (not a hammer) make sure it is straight as you go. Hope this helps, Oz

 

[almrc]

Thank you for the tip! I will try that...once I get my new blade from somewhere. Yes I am sure he can help, I need to phone him anyway, but as with everything I would like the tools 'now' and I will not be going to the saddlers for another week or so! I just want to do my sewing, I love it so much!

Oh yes, what is that thing called which holds the leather whilst you stitch, the 2 bits of wood with the massive elastic thing?

 

[unicornleather]

Saddlers clam, used to be made from 2 barrel staves years ago!
IF you can't get hold of the tools etc (you need to be trade to open a Abbey account) then either ask your saddler or pm me and I will see what I can do, where about'ws are you?

 

[almrc]

Ahhh thank you thats very kind of you. I am in Cornwall. I will speak to my saddler tomorrow as he is not there today. Thank you so much

 

[ThePony]

Don't worry about not being a business for Abbey, just say you are training and they will sort you out an account - second John Whites being the best, just gorgeous stuff!

Le Prevo are fab, so very friendly if you give them a call, I also love the clearence section on their website!! Often competatively priced too.

Tandy are good for some things too https://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/home/home.aspx (I wouldn't be tempted by their leatherwork starter tool sets though - buy little bits as you come across a tool you like and would need, otherwise you'll wind up with a v v expensive unused tool box!), I think I got my awl blades from them (I put a little glue in the handle when I put the awl blade in to make sure it stays put!). I got my strap cutter from there too. Watch the vat and postage from there though, it can make something cheaper wind up alot more expensive than other suppliers.

I got my straight line (for getting a straight edge when you have ordered a bridle butt) from a plaster suppliers - regular straight lines were incredibly expensive!!

Knives and pricking irons I get from here http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/products/Saddlers_Tooling.html?page=3&pmode=2 Abbey stock some of their things but they charge more. They are expensive but are just gorgeous quality so I dare say mine will outlast me!

For saddlers clams I got mine from David May, http://www.saddlerycourses.com/other/tools.htm He does standard ones for if you are working from a high stool, and small ones if you have a dining room chair. He does lots of other handy stuff too and is an absolute mine of information - total legend!!

Watch out for things that are called 'saddlers' when a standard tool would work just as well - a mallet for example, a nice hide or resin one from a good hardware store will be just as good as any saddler one, but often much cheaper. Some things need to be specifically made for leather work, others you just don't need to pay the high charge! For poundo boards (for cutting on) I just use value plastic chopping boards - much cheaper and just as good for protecting your worktop and blades!

Enjoy, learning leatherwork is addictive!!

 

[almrc]

Thank you for all your help so far, I knew this would be the place to come I have another question regaring needles! I have an awl and thread thanks to this real nice shop I found online. However, he sent me some needles which are too big! Making the bridle I am using a pronging chisel and hammer to make small marks then using my awl to help make the holes (as shown by my tutor). My tutor he uses needles which are 39 12 and size number 4 with a blunt end. However the shop I have found items in, and who have been very helpful, only do the 0 sizes and the smallest they have is a size 0. Will these be small enough and a similar size to the ones my tutor suggested or not? I am confused!! Thank you all

 

[moana]

Keep an eye open for items on Ebay, saddlery tools can be extremely expensive, and sometimes quite a lot come up on ebay. Also, you might like to attend Reading Carriage Sale and similar, as often they have lots of saddlery tools too.

 

[MrsMozart]

Just take it easy on the double hand stitching!

I started to train to be a saddler (at Walsall) a few years ago. As with things, I wanted to be as good as possible, and to that end practiced for hours every night.

The repetitive action damaged the nerves in my wrists/hands and I had to give up

 

[unicornleather]

The pronging chisels are called pricking irons, used to mark your work. No 0 is going to be too large if you are doing fine bridlework, I am surprised your tutor couldn't spare you a few or loan them at least.You'll need size 4's if you are doing 10 or 12 to the inch or 3's if you are doing 8 to the inch.
Oz

 

[almrc]

Ahhhhh pricking irons!! Thank you (still learning!) he would very happily lend me some (he is lovely!), but I have not been up there since and cannot make it this weekend and I am eager to get on! When I told him I bouht some tools he wasnt happy and said I should have got them from him! He is any hour away but will get some off him next time, I am just eager! Thank you, that is what I needed to know.

Oh no sorry to hear that about your hands! Dont worry I wont be doing it constantly but it is good to know it can happen

 

[almrc]

ps: Here is a little example of some of the things I have been doing so far-link doesnt work so will just upload some!!

 

[almrc]

Some reins I re-stitched as I replaced the broken clip:

Not bad seeing I have only been a handful of times!

 

[unicornleather]

Well done, you are getting there!
Make sure the saddler teaching you shows you how to do "bridle points"
that is the shape of the end of the strap, it is more blunted, the shape you have there is egg point which is used on mass produced machined bridles coming in from abroad , it is traditionally used on harness work, head collars and show bridles. The bridle point is the right (traditional) one for top quality bridles.
You are on the right road though, well done and keep at it!
Oz

 

[almrc]

Ah I see thank - I like receiving feedback on improving etc but its all pretty new to me at the mo just learning the basics think it will take me ages to finish my bridle but I am really enjoying every minute of it! Just after the saddlers clamp next, might make one of those somehow too!