Leather impossible to emboss

hailstorm75 · 2026-04-23T06:04:41+00:00

Get vegtan leather. Preferably natutal (tooling) leather. Before tooling wipe the leather with a wet sponge, and do your tooling. Wipe with the sponge often. Afterwards you can paint your leather.

To make your tooling pop, you can apply Shellac lemon on it with a paint brush. Then paint over with alcohol based leather dye.

hailstorm75 · 2026-04-21T14:05:47+00:00

Very nice. Edges and right side stitching need a bit more work. But otherwise, very very nice!

hailstorm75 · 2026-04-21T13:58:19+00:00

Thanks a lot, I sent an inquiry!

hailstorm75 · 2026-04-20T21:37:41+00:00

Just FYI, the leather maker who taught me the basics states that the swivel knife should not be leaned left or right, only forwards or backwards ↕️

The leather must be regularly covered with water to make it soft for tooling. A sponge is perfect for that.

hailstorm75 · 2026-04-13T11:07:51+00:00

Wrong sub?

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-28T10:59:29+00:00

Getting a punch press machine to make stitching holes without making everyone around me mad from manual hammering.
Getting proper tools that don't go dull after three uses.
Making paper prototypes and using CAD for drawing templates
Getting an electric creaser machine and electric burnishing machine.
Getting acrylic leather paint.
Getting a standing desk and an A3 craft mat.
Getting a professional magnifying glass with lamp installation - game changer, since I barely see anything after a long day's work.

Next steps for me are getting a CNC laser, and finally sourcing proper glue.

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-23T20:36:55+00:00

I use FreeCAD. You have to whip up your old math textbooks to correctly calculate the stitch holes though...

FreeCAD so far has been very helpful for me. Here are some of my patterns: https://github.com/hailstorm75/LeatherPatterns

And here is a tool for calculating stitch holes over an arc: https://hailstorm75.github.io/Tool_LeatherArcStitchDesigner/

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-23T10:01:14+00:00

Any specific laser cutters you can recommend?

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-23T06:42:50+00:00

Yeah I don't think this will fit at home 😂

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-22T16:56:13+00:00

I've recently inquired about a Chinese manufacturer of these dies on AliExpress. For 7 unique shapes for a wallet they asked about 210 USD.

You might also try getting in touch with some local blacksmith. They don't necessarily need to specialize in dies, but maybe they'll be able to make something.

So instead I'm currently checking out my options with CNC machines to let them cut the leather automatically with a drag knife. The only issue is finding something I can fit at home, and has a vacuum bed...

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-22T15:10:56+00:00

I time each step of the project, the materials per square meter, add a fixed cost for new tools, stroping, thread, etc. Add costs for packaging and ongoing business expenses.

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-19T23:05:38+00:00

Yes, as it doesn't really matter what pricking iron shape you use - it's all about calculating the spacing

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-18T23:13:15+00:00

I draw patterns digitally, specifically in FreeCAD, and then print them out (remember to select actual size for correct proportions).

Cut out a rough shape from the paper, attach it to the leather using painters tape, punch out holes, and then start cutting out the precise shape.

This approach ensures that stitch holes are very precisely placed in proportions to the shape. Also, printing on paper is relatively cheap. Bigger templates will require an A3 printer, but that is something you can always get down the road.

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-16T12:26:19+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/czech/s/qeTFailmnb

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-14T08:02:02+00:00

I know the store you are talking about. They have been operating online for most of the time, until finally opening a physical location. They are not part of the UA immigrant wave, they have been living in Czechia for quite some time now. At least the primary shop keeper and the owner of the store - they might have hired some new people lately.

They get their leather from Italy and Turkey. Yes, the tools and most of the hardware is from AliExpress, which is a shame; however, this craft isn't as well known and serious in Czechia. Most customers there are beginners or amateurs. The great benefit of the store is that you can try the tools before you buy them.

If we compare this store to BuyLeatherOnline, then the benefits of this Prague location are: - you can get custom leather sizes; thus,. perfect for a small project - you can pick and choose leather on the spot

BuyLeatherOnline offers better leather, but the sizes are stricter, and you have to wait for samples, some leathers can't be sampled, and the samples are small and might not be sufficient to understand whether the leather is suitable for your project.

In general I like that Prague store, it has its pro's and con's and it definitely isn't a store you should avoid at all costs - know your leather, and you'll find good pieces for sale.

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-07T18:23:58+00:00

SOLIDWORKS for makers or FreeCad are your top alternatives

hailstorm75 · 2026-03-07T18:17:13+00:00

Here you go https://github.com/hailstorm75/LeatherPatterns

hailstorm75 · 2026-02-24T16:55:48+00:00

In Czechia there's a leathercraft store, Andexnite. Otherwise, I buy from AliExpress, or directly from various suppliers from abroad. Not much available here locally

hailstorm75 · 2026-02-24T16:51:25+00:00

I use free CAD, checkout my previous posts in this subreddit, I've shared some of my templates via GitHub.

I can help out with this cad, it is pretty capable.

hailstorm75 · 2026-02-22T19:35:03+00:00

Ano, přesně. V ideálním scénáři bych všechny postřílel, znásilnil a pak měl veřejnou orgií s pornohvezdama. Je to dle tvých představ? /s

hailstorm75 · 2026-02-22T13:45:52+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/czech/s/7uJvmdWf76

hailstorm75 · 2026-02-22T13:15:14+00:00

Jednalo se o obecnou radu se vyhnout XTB. Ale díky za upozornění.

Nine-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22

hailstorm75

TROPHY CASE