3 Ways to Make My MOST POPULAR LEATHER WORKING Project

[@sapphicgeek24]

I'm 32 year old woman and my dad always promised to teach me leather working, but it was always "we'll make time later." Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago. We never made the time, so I'm teaching myself for him. Your's is the video I'm starting with. Thank you for helping me start this journey. Cut out my first keychain while watching ❤

[@bigstacksshop]

@sapphicgeek24 That is amazing, thank you for such an honor. If you have any questions hit me up on social media.

[@berg6964]

❤

[@bigstacksshop]

@sapphicgeek24 How are things coming along? I'd love to hear!

[@dsimms6]

I would recommend to beginners to make square or rectangle version to start but this does teach great stuff. Good video.

[@bigstacksshop]

@dsimms6 Thank you for idea and the feedback. I appreciate it.

[@oromis16]

Where can I get a supply of leather from?

[@lynxlady5355]

Thank you for the very detailed steps to produce a leather key fob! Looking forward to receiving my pattern!

[@bigstacksshop]

@lynxlady5355 I had an issue with my email service for a while. If you didn't received your patterns, hit me up on Facebook or Instagram @bigstacksshop. Just send me a message with your email, and I'll make things right.

[@berg6964]

Great stuff! Thank you

[@bigstacksshop]

@berg6964 Thank you very much my friend

[@duaneharrison195]

great video. do you gave a link to the die you were using?

[@Babyjohn8170]

I have that same flower pattern on mine.

[@bigstacksshop]

@BabyJohn8170 Very awesome!

[@shoxdanger]

just a tip put your designs on the laser closer so you dont have alot of waste material so you can make more. leather is not cheap ;)

[@bigstacksshop]

@shoxdanger Dor sure, leather is expensive. - even crappy leather isn't cheap.

[@shoxdanger]

@@bigstacksshop so true can't find a good price for a piece xD 🤣

[@bigstacksshop]

@shoxdanger You are correct about the pricing. It's not cheap, but leather will last a long time.

[@metalheads228]

Thanks! Time for fun!

[@bigstacksshop]

@lindaharris8154 very nice, enjoy yourself!

[@kevinsporre8711]

Great content!

[@bigstacksshop]

@kevinsporre8711 thank you very much!

[@Bayan1905]

I agree, I've made larger leather products and I try not to charge much, I do it mostly as a hobby anyway and I'm not looking to get rich, but I found that my smaller items tend to sell better than any of the larger ones. I have made several possibles/hunting bags for muzzleloaders, and I never sell them for more than $75 and I average around $40-$50 for them. Most take a while to sell, but if I make smaller pouches, little things like that, shot bags, etc. and sell them for $10-$15 or so each, they go much quicker.

[@bigstacksshop]

@Bayan1905 I was bestowed this knowledge by my buddy Chad who was very well tegarded in our local art show circle. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[@blueroselion5243]

Something else you can put in the bag with your dies is a piece of chalk. I have a piece or two in my tool boxes as well. ☺️

[@bigstacksshop]

@blueroselion5243 very interesting. Now I'm curious, do you use this to mark your leather? Or to absorb moisture?

[@blueroselion5243]

@@bigstacksshop LOL I use the chalk for absorbing moisture only. I have used a grease pencil when the poky scratchy won't work. 😁

[@bigstacksshop]

@@blueroselion5243 I love it ... just stay away the gel packets! 🤣🤣

[@jayplays568]

When using the Arbor press to cut with a die cutter, could you put a self-healing cutting mat between the metal place and cutting die instead of using the cutting board like you did in the video at 5:18?

[@bigstacksshop]

@jayplays568 You most certainly could use a self healing mat, or a piece of one. I don't think it will last as long, though. Although they are advertised as self healing, they eventually wear down over time and can be cut if you go deep enough. I felt the plastic cutting board was a better option as they last longer and won't dull your die cutting blades too bad.

[@jayplays568]

@@bigstacksshop Thanks! Do you think a mat would dull the blade of the cutting die?

[@jerrygarrett5574]

The link for the laser engraver is not working, What engraver do you recommend?

[@bigstacksshop]

@jerrygarrett5574 I actually have a new laser engraver I am finishing up a video on. Keep an eye out, I'll have links and everything.

[@matthewryan8463]

I'm happy to say that Harbor Freight, after clearancing out their old 1-ton arbor presses, finally has a "new" version starting to come in (my local store had 1 in stock yesterday, which is now mine) - looks pretty much identical to the "old" one, probably just a new supplier or something. Right now it's $65. As far as the ram's foot vs hefty handle - would I be able to use the whole hefty handle, or do you think it would be too long to be steady? If so, maybe I should just see about getting another hefty handle and having someone cut it down...

[@bigstacksshop]

@matthewryan8465 Thank you for the update on the 1 ton arbor press. I saw the old one was gone and I thought why in the world would they discontinue one of their coolest tools. As for the hefty handle, I would try it without cutting it first. If you has to cut it, be sure you get someone to cut it with a metal bandsaw or something else that would make a level cut.

[@vthom5379]

I need a class for this 😩

[@bigstacksshop]

@vthom5379 If you have a Tandy Leather near you, I believe they offer classes. Just keep in mind, whether you take a class or teach yourself by watching my videos, practice and repetition are your best keys to success.

[@matkosmat8890]

Thanks for a nice video! I'm going to make one of these, but double it and add some stitching, as I have no other means to make it pretty yet.

[@bigstacksshop]

@matkosmat8890 Thank you for the complement. I used to sew a pocket on the back of these as a quarter holder for Aldi's grocery carts. If you decide to do this, use the largest of the templates.

[@matkosmat8890]

@@bigstacksshop Cool idea, stealing it!

[@bigstacksshop]

@@matkosmat8890 Please do, just be sure to cut the back half a little shorter so you can get the coin in and out of the keychain.

[@davidenglund]

@bigstacksshop, Where do you get the craft tool stamp kits? Hobby Lobby? Elsewhere? Thx

[@bigstacksshop]

@davidenglund Most of them came from Hobby Lobby, but I've also purchased some privately and from eBay. Thank you for asking.

[@TheWoodburningWarrior]

Love it!!! I need to practice on rivets, I just got some yesterday but I really don't know how to do them...

[@bigstacksshop]

We can set up a video chat and I can show you

[@TheWoodburningWarrior]

@@bigstacksshop or It can be another idea for another video 🤷‍♀️😅

[@bigstacksshop]

@@TheWoodburningWarrior I was planning on a rivet video a while back. Maybe now it's time to revisit

[@Babyjohn8170]

Can you use mineral oil on leather

[@bigstacksshop]

@BabyJohn8170 I personally have never tried using mineral oil since I've read it's not good for leather. So, I can only advise against it based on what I've read, not based on experience. Neatsfoot oil is fairly inexpensive and you can find it at most Wal-Marts in the shoe section.

[@jackholden2]

Have been watching for a while, it took me this long to subscribe, I thought I had already done so. I like your to the point delivery. I've been looking for a key fob die like you show, it wasn't listed. Do you have any info you can share?

[@bigstacksshop]

@jackholden2 Thank you for subscribing. As far as the key fob die, Amazon no longer carries the one I purchased, but they do sell one with stitching hole punches built in. If you look around on Etsy. You should find the same one I bought without the stitching holes, they will take about a month to get to you because they are from overseas.

[@jackholden2]

@@bigstacksshop thanks for the info

[@bigstacksshop]

Thank you my friend

[@jamiecross8719]

What is your technique for cleaning off the char edges when laser cutting the veg tan?

[@bigstacksshop]

@jamiecross8718 You can use an edge beveler or sand then, but I think it gives a nice finished edge to your work and the laser seals it well to.

[@Freeman-Dl70]

​@@bigstacksshop Prince Armory puts masking tape on the flesh side and the tape gets blackened, not the edges of the leather.

[@bigstacksshop]

I will test this theory, but i don't see how the edges don't get charred when using a laser engraver. I'm skeptical, but doesn't mean it won't work.

[@BK33REVIEWS]

Where do you buy your leather

[@bigstacksshop]

@BK33REVIEWS I've purchased leather anywhere from Hobby Lobby (on sale) to online sellers like Tandy and Weaver. The biggest thing to remember if buy the appropriate thickness of leather for the projects you are going to make.

[@BK33REVIEWS]

@@bigstacksshop hobby lobby sales leather I had no idea different thickness or just scraps or what they you so much

[@bigstacksshop]

@@BK33REVIEWS They do sell scraps, which are okay. But you can get veg tanned rolls at a decent price if they are on sale.

[@theresepankey9978]

Very good information, but my cringe for this is the waste of leather in the layouts you use to cut them out.

[@bigstacksshop]

@thetesepanky9978 I promise you I do a very good job in production with wasting leather. These were just scraps I used for demonstration purpose. But I have to admit, it would be a great topic to cover. Thank you for the inspiration, wasted leather is a crying shame with the price you pay for it and the fact its made from a living animal.

[@ijustneedausername6742]

Mmm the forbidden salt

[@bigstacksshop]

@justneedausername6842 Don't tell my doctor, I beg of you. 🤣🤣🤣