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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,251

    Default Leather working & tools

    Many years ago I took up leather working by first making myself a belt. This was inspired by finding dozens of harness buckles on an abandoned farm. The buckles were found in the ashes of a fire. Pretty soon I was making belts for friends, then taking orders. Leather shoulder bags, coin purses & card holders etc soon followed.

    Back in those days, I sprayed the leather using a hand fly spray. Worked well, but now I use an air brush using Raven oil.

    It was tedious slicing up the 3mm plain embossing hide with a steel rule and Stanley knife, so hand made a plough gauge or strap cutter.

    The width of the strap is set by sliding the fence across to the correct width, then using one straight edge of the hide, just push it in and slice right down the hide. It cuts like a hot knife through butter.

    The card holder consists of a front and back, dyed, glued and stitched together. While still damp, the leather is buffed to a high shine. The next step is into water, then a three piece former pushed inside and moulded to shape. An elastic bandage wrapped around keeps the shape whilst drying.

    The sewing machine I have is an old Singer 29K13 boot patcher refurbed internally by myself. I'll cover the Singer in another post.

    A final buff and Bob's your uncle.

    A few pictures are worth a thousand words. These show the card holder, boot patcher & plough gauge.

    Ken
    Attached Images Attached Images

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Flagstaff Hill
    Posts
    178

    Default

    Very nice work, do you still do leather work. Love the singer sewing machine , do you know if they are still about or even similar units are available for sale.
    Cheers Alby

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,251

    Default Singer 29K boot patcher

    Alby,

    Bad news, the old Singer boot patcher is as scarce as hens teeth, I waited twelve months before finding mine on eBay.

    If you do find one, expect to pay around $800-$1000 for one in reasonable nick.

    Singer no longer make them, but there are new Japanese copies available.

    Just about every boot maker will have one, so if you know of a boot maker retiring, jump in quick.

    Ken

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Flagstaff Hill
    Posts
    178

    Default

    Thanks ken, looks like I'm on the hunt for yet another tool for the shed. Perhaps I should sell some of the things that I no longer need.
    Cheers Alby

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,251

    Default Singer 29K13 restoration article

    For those interested in leather sewing machines, you may find the following article of interest.

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/si...rticle-161038/

    Ken
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by neksmerj; 26th October 2012 at 11:59 PM. Reason: added photo

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,468

    Default

    Ken did you sew the credit card pouch on the 29k? if so what foot did you use, if I use mine for top stiching all I get is teeth marks from the serations on the foot, naybe I need the grind the down

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,251

    Default Singer 29K13

    Hi China,

    Yes, I did use the Singer for stitching up the credit card holder. I only have one foot for my machine, and am not aware that other feet are available.

    My foot is serrated underneath, and doesn't seem to mark the leather. Maybe you have too much downward pressure on your foot.

    Ken

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,468

    Default

    Thanks Ken,
    I can see I will have to spend some time fine tuning it.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    warrnambool, Vic
    Posts
    8

    Default Singer boot patching machine & electric skiving machine.

    I have just read above re the machine and other tools, I have a singer machine and also a skiving machine, both on their dont do any leather work these days, as much as I loved it, but costs beat meown stands etc. I also have a large number of stamping tools and other gear for leather working. I dont do it anymore as costs beat me, If anyone interested let me know.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    western Australia
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Hi ,did you end up getting rid of those tools.i do leatherwork myself as a hobby and have started collecting old tools as well.I have a singer 29k71, 45k25, 31k48 and a fortuna skiver, all in beautiful working condition.Also I have about 300 different stamps and various leather tools but am always looking for more of the old good quality tools.If you still have your tools,give me a yell and see what we can work out.Thanks
    Peter.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Katoomba NSW
    Posts
    4,770

    Default

    That guy just blogs about leather fashion accessories as far as I can see. He doesn't seem to have any tools for sale.
    https://www.leatherhouse.eu/products...leather-tools/
    This place is in Denmark but I'm sure there are stores in Sweden that sell leather working tools.
    Don't start with a guitar strap. Watch plenty of beginner videos on Youtube, buy some veg tanned leather and some basic tools. You will quickly learn what you need for a guitar strap.
    Make some belts and key fobs to practice the basics and get the hang of stamping and carving.
    If we have a Tandy here in Australia you will probably have one close to you. They have some ok quality beginners kits to get you started.
    Looks like the UK store is the closest.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

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