Leather Working

Justin F. Donated leather working tools. I'm capturing a partial list of what was in this kit.

Tools

• Hollow punch set. Useful to punch round holes, such as to install buttons or rivets. There is a small hex key to tighten the screw which holds the interchangeable pieces in place.
• Edge slicker/burnisher tool + attachments. Used to burnish an edge for protection and aesthetics.
• Diamond chisels. Used to punch holes through one or more pieces prior to stitching.
• Stitching groover. As a matter of preference, it can be used to create a grooved stitch line. The stitches sitting in the groove will be less prone to abrading with use. More common practice is to mark the stitch line with a scratch awl before punching/stitching.
• Stitching awls. For one-off stitching holes and when a hole wasn't punched all the way through by stitching chisels.
• Scratch awl. Useful at various stages of a project. Particularly useful when starting a project for marking a pattern onto a piece of leather prior to cutting the components out.
• Edge bevelers. Used to bevel an edge in order to prevent fraying and maintain a professional appearance.
• Skivers (Tandy Super Skiver, safety skiver). These are used to thin a piece of leather. Most commonly, this will be useful to cut down bulk at an edge where multiple pieces are stitched together.
• Stitching clamps (2). This tool holds a project so it can be stitched with both hands.
• Honing guide. Block of red wood with different guides for sharpening different tools. Sandpaper placed on guide before tool is dragged along it.
• Thickness gauge. Used to measure the thickness of leather.
• Rivet setter. Used to set copper rivets.
• Edge creaser. Used to place a crease along the edge of a project for aesthetic value.
• Thread snipper.

Example of stitching clamp in use.

Supplies

• Gum tragacanth. Edge finishing product. Used before beeswax.
• Beeswax. Edge finishing, etc.
• Leather adhesive (Eco-Flow Leather Weld). Two pieces can be glued together at the edge before stitching.
• Waxed threads. This is fairly heavy-duty thread and not ideal for all projects.
• Saddler's needles (John James #4). A versatile size of the most recommended saddler's needle for stitching leather (note holes must be punched beforehand).
• Blades for safety skivers.
• Sand paper for honing guide. Use lower number grits first, progressing to higher numbers.
• Honing compounds (yellow, green). Used to sharpen tools, such as edge bevelers. Can be loaded onto a piece of thread which is pulled through the groove on an edge beveler to sharpen.