More ESSENTIAL Leather Working Tools from HARBOR FREIGHT

[@bigstacksshop]

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[@achadhaamoratsim7098]

I mounted a magnetic knife rack from IKEA to the side of my work bench. It’s great for needles but heavier tools like punches, shears & even dividers fall off the rack when I’m pounding.

[@bigstacksshop]

@achadhaamoratsim7098 I never though of using it for needles, I had another viewer who mentioned using a magnet for needles as well. I'm going to have to try that.

[@achadhaamoratsim7098]

The needles idea came from a Morcon (Macon?) Leather video. )Hope it’s okay to mention them.)

[@bigstacksshop]

@achadhaamoratsim7098 That's awesome. And I'm fine with you sharing ideas from other people. This is how we all become better leathercrafters.

[@michaelwatson7298]

My phone is watching me again. I bought that wing divider yesterday. 😂 I haven't used it yet but it seems pretty hefty.

[@bigstacksshop]

@michaelwatson7298 My phone keeps real close tabs on me as well. I hope you like the divider.

[@dannymarkgraf34]

great video. i am going to buy that anvil now. it will come in handy for rivets for sure. and those wing dividers look beefy, so i might invest in those as well. thank you for sharing, i will be on my way to harbor freight now. lol

[@bigstacksshop]

@dannymarkgraf34 That's awesome, my friend. Please let us know what you think of them.

[@macaigill]

Most of Harbor Freight tools do not hold up very well cutting probably because of the quality of the steel. HOWEVER, there is one tool that I have used for years. It is the ⅓ hp, 1" x 30" belt sander. It cost about $40 when I bought it. It rattles like the bearings are going to fall out, but they haven't (I am not sure there are any). I have 4 belts for it;k 80 grit, 120 grit, and 600 grit, plus the one I use all the time, a leather belt for stroping. I keep the leather belt loaded with green jewelers rouge and every time I start to cut leather I strop for a few seconds on each side. To check the sharpness I cut a little piece of news paper. If it cuts the paper it will cut the leather. I know the sharpening gurus will say I am ruining the edge, and I may be, but I just want to cut the leather quickly and efficiently with one stroke if possible. The more strokes, the more chances I have to cut my fingers. I strop Exacto blades, box cutter blades, all sizes of breakaway blades, my pocket knife blade, even my round and skiving knives. They are a bit tricky. I highly recommend this machine.

[@bigstacksshop]

@macaigill I heard the i" belt sander is great, as is the belt/disc sander combo. Do you use the belt sander for anything other than stropping? Also, did you buy or make the leather belt?

[@mhein681]

Thanks for your testing and honest opinion! Help us all save $ for other things!

[@bigstacksshop]

@mhein681 Thank you very much. They are my opinions, but i always try find a reasonably priced alternative as a substitute if I don't like them.

[@jenkins1979]

love these videos

[@bigstacksshop]

@jenkins1979 Thank you very much my friend. I enjoy making them. Even though some of them, like this one, take a couple of weeks to make.

[@tysonkoehn1]

What was that piece called that you put on top of your leather stamp before pressing? I need one of those!

[@bigstacksshop]

@tysonkoehn1 IT's called a Ram's Foot. I got it from Tandy, but it's been discontinued. They carry another one now, which is a lot taller. I don't remember the name of it the new tools, but if I remember, I'll come back on here and let you know.

[@tysonkoehn1]

@@bigstacksshop thanks for the reply! I did see that new version from tandy and I dont like it for the way you used it (and the way I want to use it also). I will investigate other options!

[@bigstacksshop]

@tysonkoehn1 If you have a buddy with a metal bandsaw, they can always cut it to whatever length you want. Just make sure it's a stationary bandsaw and not a portable one, you want a perfect 90 degree cut. Also, you might find one on ebay.

[@harrymclaughlin955]

I kinda noticed that your cork backed non-slip ruler is upside down. Is there an advantage to that???

[@bigstacksshop]

@harrymclaughlin955 One of my viewers mentioned you get a better line when you that it that way. But, unless you hold it down extremely firm, it will slip around on you. I like the old way better.

[@brianhudson3619]

Craft Knife - I can't stand. I use scalpels with blades from a taxidermy supplier. The basic handle on the scalpel is uncomfortable, but the blades are better. The magnetic bar I have in my shop, along with the tool box

[@brianhudson3619]

I used double sided tape for the magnetic bar, and attached it to a shelf above my work bench.

[@jameshoward8609]

@@brianhudson3619 I just bought a few neodymium magnets and place them where i need a magnetic surface to attach something. Mostly use them to hold needles so they are easy to access and my rulers so they don't get bent while laying around.

[@bigstacksshop]

@brianhudson3619 That's not a bad idea. I've never had luck with double sided tape, but maybe it's the kind that I purchased.

[@bigstacksshop]

@jameshoward8609 This is a great idea as well. Thank you for sharing.

[@bigstacksshop]

@brianhudson3619 I'm glad I'm not the only one who wasn't head over heels for the hobby knife. It is more comfortable than the exact knife, though. How do you like that toolbox?

[@stephenhenderson8296]

Have you tested the harbor freight 12 inch metal ruler? I did and it works but not my go to.

[@bigstacksshop]

@stephenhenderson8296 Thank you for sharing. I did test it in the original video. It's a great little ruler for $2! I keep one in my leatherworking travel bag.

[@grounded-b937]

those sanding blocks are made for 1/4 sheets, tore the other way. 8.5" x 2.75"

[@bigstacksshop]

@grounded-b937 The ceramic sandpaper was already cut to size. I'll have to see if they carry full sheets of it.

[@joshuapoche5137]

I always strop my exacto blades right out the box. Their sharp but not slice leather sharp. I also get a lot more life out of them.

[@bigstacksshop]

@joshuapoche5137 I might have to try this. May even make a video about sharpening and stropping your tools. I need to get my technique down first. About how may laps across the leather do you give your blades. I did maybe 15 or 20. In your experience, is that enough?

[@joshuapoche5137]

@bigstacksshop yea i do 5 on one side then flip and do 5. I repeat probably 3-4 time so that number sounds about right. I cut a few pieces then do it again. I keep my blades constantly stropped. Its helped so much

[@bigstacksshop]

@joshuapoche51371 I'm going to have to try that.