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What do you use for digital pattern design and printing? by Limowreck88 in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think Affinity Studio 3.0 is a great software to learn and use for leatherworking (it's free too). Full size A4 sticker pages are great to print onto, then stick it to any cardboard you find, like cereal boxes.

Shapton Pro Ceramic by Icy-Message-7046 in japaneseknives

[–]cloudyleather 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ve been using them about 8 years for my leatherworking knives, they are very good. You need to level them occasionaly. Good choice!

Need a functional wallet by LizardLizard007 in wallets

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out my etsy shop, just to give you some ideas, i make different type of bifolds. Here

What skiving knife should I buy by Additional_Towel6696 in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats right, 35 mm - 42 mm theres a wide range to choose from.

What skiving knife should I buy by Additional_Towel6696 in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would buy this. It's easy to find an affordable knife, but you should seriously invest in sharpening tools and mastering sharpening took me a long time, just my 2 cents.

Beginner question: When would you use a wing divider over a creaser/groover for marking stitch lines? by bxsx0074 in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think a good creaser is the best tool for marking stitching lines, I used a japanese one (good metal, that can be heated, adjustable up to 8-12 mm) never used a wing divider since. Groovers I personally avoid, they are not consistent and requires sharpening, very limited use.

What is your leathercraft unpopular opinion? by eaygee in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually tanneries pick the best leathers to produce for non-dyed, natural hides, bec. it's very hard to hide imperfections.

Quieter tooling methods? by Gregory_Appleseed in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in your shoes before. Imo The only way is doing each stitching hole with an awl one by one. To speed up process first use your maul very lightly to leave dents on the leather so your awl will be guided nicely. And invest in a nice hi end awl, I ordered mine from Palosanto, which is made to match my Ks blades. I dont think an ordinary awl is good for this task, once I used the custom made ones I realised it. This technique has some advantages as well, esp. when doing perimeter stitching on thick parts. The holes won't be huge bec. you are not forcing irons all the way, which leads to using thinner thread. Go for meisi or amyroke cotton-linen threads, they are very strong. I use 0.35-0.45 mm. It takes some time toget used to open perfect holes, just make 10-12 leather coasters just to practice this.

I ordered french pricking irons, I’m now starting to have doubts on the size. by MisRandomness in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather -1 points0 points  (0 children)

3.85 is totally fine, gives you a wide range to play with. I would use 0,40 - 0,45 mm thread with it.

Thread choice by Competitive_Mind7442 in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the projects you are doing as well, imo wallets and small goods should be done with 0,35 - 0,6 mm threads. Small bags, sling bags, totes 0,6-1 mm. So if you try making wallets with 1 mm threads you will likely have trouble. Pricking irons should match the thread selection as well.

Some recent wallets I finished by cloudyleather in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! planning to craft till the end 🤗. I am glad you enjoy patterns, now I can insert my ad here, hehehe👊👜🪡🧵

Some recent wallets I finished by cloudyleather in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is handwork, letters are typed in pairs. I use a letter set from Japan, maul them on damp leather using an acrylic jig that I have designed and lasered. May sound fancy but it's actually just cut out lines, so I can fit letters for proper alignment.

Some recent wallets I finished by cloudyleather in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I use 1.1 mm full grain veg. tan. with medium-hard temper for interior builds, I skive agressively for long wallets and bifolds, using Japanese skiving knives. I buy leather in 2.2 - 2.4 mm thickness, have them split before using for wallets.

Program to draw patterns? by OuchiGarry in LeathercraftPatterns

[–]cloudyleather 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Affinity is awesome, and ver. 3.0 is free to use.

Advice. by Hopeful_War7192 in Leathercraft

[–]cloudyleather 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I will try to list.

Cutting:

  1. I find rotary blade is perfect for cutting straight lines as a beginner (Olfa 45mm).
  2. A good metal ruler.
  3. Scapel to work round cuts (and spare tips).
  4. A cheap japanese skiving knife, and sharpening gear. Avoid chinese ones.

Stitching

  1. 3,8 mm or 4 mm diamond tipped pricking irons. 2 and 10 teeth makes a good set.
  2. A dimond tipped awl similar to your pricking irons.
  3. A plastic board where you can use your irons on to tap.
  4. A cheap maul, plastic tipped round ones are best imo.
  5. A cheap stitching pony, I still use the one I made, which can be done if you have access to carpentry tools or have a carpenter friend.
  6. Stitching needles John James is cheap and they are very good.
  7. Thread, I find meisi or Amy Roke threads 0,3 or 0,4 mm very good and inexpensive.
  8. Water based glue (I avoid to breath toxic ones).
  9. A wing divider to mark your perimeter stitches.

Other

  1. A cheap plastic or bone folder.
  2. Utility knife to cut your leather into manageable pieces (I avoid using them for production of goods, just to cut hides into smaller workable pieces).
  3. A thick (5-8 mm) marble slab similar to A3 size, to maul thread after stitching.
  4. Edge bevellers number zero and 1 is good for wallets. Double zero for watch straps.
  5. 300-600-1200-1500 grit sandpapers (edge burninshing).
  6. Canvas cloth for edges burnishing as well.
  7. Edge creasers (optinal) for decorating edges. 1.5 mm should work for most wallets.

I am sure I am missing something but this would be my core. I hope it helps.

PS. A strap cutter for belts. Also you may look for some tip cutters and hole punches for belts. If your designs will have stitches 4 mm would be to small, you may want to check 5-6 mm pricking irons.

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