I’ve never made anything from leather. I’d like to make some keychain guitar pick holders like the one in the photo. I’m looking for advice on some tools required to make these.

I think there are tools like; punches to pop holes for stitches, burnishing the edge, sewing, installing the snap, etc.

I have a decent set of woodworking hand tools (knives, chisels, carving chisels, mallet, workbench, etc.)

I bought the one in the photo for $5 and realize a DIY one will cost 10x more but that’s not the point.

  • fujiwood@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Minimum tools:

    • Steel Ruler/straight edge: Make/cut straight lines

    • Marking tool: scratch awl or pen

    • Cutting tool: Knife for cutting leather. Some use specialty leather knives. Others use box cutters/ Xacto’s.

    • Stitching Divider/ Wing Divider: To make the guide to follow when punching your stitch holes.

    • Pricking Irons/Chisels: Different TPI depending on how thick your leather is. There are also different styles: straight, diamond etc. It’ll affect the over all look of the piece.

    • Mallet: Plastic or wood. Steel is too hard for the pricking irons and rubber is too soft.

    • Leather awl: For punching through leather after using pricking iron.

    • Thread: Thickness will depend on the TPI of your pricking irons. This will affect the look of the stitching.

    • Needles: Saddle stitching needles come in different sizes depending on the thickness of your thread.

    • Glue: There are some specifically made for leather work. Some people just use Barge cement.

    • Small Clamps: For keeping leather together as the glue dries.

    Extra tools:

    • Punches with specific shapes. Circles, semicircles etc

    • Edge Beveler: To bevel leather edges before burnishing

    • Leather burnisher: To finishs the edges.

    • Edge finish: Gum, Beeswax, Tokonole, edge paint

    • Lighter: To finish a stitch

    • Oils/ conditioners: To maintain the leather

    I probably missed some things.

    Edit: For the snaps you need a snap setter.

      • fujiwood@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        You’re welcome and good luck!

        There a lot of videos online to show you step by step on making small leather goods. They basically all have the same steps.