Let's Mass-Produce Something! Leather Craft ASMR

I first made these weighted leather coasters a couple of years ago. My process back then was a bit slow and not very cost-effect. I've streamlined it to make them quicker and easier to produce as I plan to sell these on my Etsy page along with the custom designs for the engraving. The casting process for the inner weighted forms out of plaster of Paris was the tricky part. Anyway, it involves all sorts of maker stuff: 3D printing, laser cutting and engraving, leather work, casting, etc.
Now if I can figure out how to scale up production of my leather holsters and knife sheaths that would be great!
My laser is the xTool P2 55W CO2.
Although they didn't sponsor this video, below is a link to save my viewers a few bucks on purchasing a P2 direct from xTool. Use promo code "xToolpartner". This also helps support the channel by earning a (very) small commission:
www.xtool.com/...

[@maddawgnoll]

The home 3D printer and laser cnc/engraver has really opened up a whole new world in leathersmithing.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Indeed it has!

[@larrycumba2741]

Nice to see your pouring skills are on par with us mere mortals. Appreciate the tip on the dye pads.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

lol. Casting with plaster is such a mess. And you have to work quickly. I normally do it outside, but with all my camera, tripods, lighting equipment, etc. inside....

[@AdamsLeatherWorks]

Fantastic work! I was always hesitant to use wool dye applicators like that because they waste too much dye, but storing them in glass jars is a great idea!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Keeping them in the jars also prevents drying out. Certain color jars (like Spanish brown) I keep partially filled with dye and the wool pad saturated so I can just grab and go.

[@mtnman7469]

That’s genius! Very cool idea , they came out beautiful

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you!

[@markhamilton8765]

Oh, I thought I ordered a set of six? 😢 Beautiful craftsmanship!!

[@zverello]

damn, it`s so satisfying watching a professional do his work

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@jeffallen3382]

I look forward to every video you put out and impressed with the new things you come up with! This was cool! I use Plaster of Paris to cast my skulls I made a form for. I liked the Flexseal coating to waterproof these molds you made!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Cool, thanks! Do you have an instagram? Would love to see your skulls!

[@jeffallen3382]

@@RoadAgentLeather I just tagged you in a few photos I have on my Instagram.

[@darcykelly7515]

I like your instantly recognisable style very distinctive and very cool!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you like it! And thanks for watching!

[@jerome_dangelo]

You have such a wonderful channel! I love your work!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you so much!

[@Certawin]

Thats pretty slick. But i gotta admit seeing all those plaster forms. Could feel cramps in my hands. With all the stitching. 😊.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

ha. yeah . . . I can't escape ALL the handwork. I just have to SELL some now. :)

[@edgell3]

Nice work. I bet it was great work with many different mediums and techniques in this project. I really like the tips throughout the video. (Nice touch👍).The only downside for me is it ends up costing me money, because I want to go out and buy more leather crafting products.😂😂 It is a beautiful product and I how you are successful in selling it, which I am sure you will be.😀😉👍👍👍😎

[@Jason-un3bx]

Just made a set for a house warming gift. Needless to say you put me to shame LOL Those rock

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@sandjleather]

Ingenious idea using plaster! You ought to sell the molds as a set. I think they would go fast. Great video as usual. I learn so much from your holster videos. Please keep up the fantastic work.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

The molds were relatively inexpensive to make: they took almost a full spool of 3D printer filament (about $30), and the rubber gasket material (about $15). But they took several days to print.

[@iamnoone.]

It never dawned on me to use a lazy Suisun in leather work. It's a great idea. Love the coaster.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

First comment!! Thanks! Yeah, that's a cheap revolving table that came with my airbrushing spray booth.

[@iamnoone.]

@@RoadAgentLeather thank you

[@joshuapoche5137]

That's pretty cool. The more I see what the xtool can do the more I want one. I just know youre familiar with the software already and that would be my biggest setback.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

There's lots of inexpensive lasers on Amazon. I'd say at minimum you need a 10W for leatherwork. Inkscape is a free graphics app on the internet for designing stuff. Lightburn can be learned pretty easily too. It just takes trial and error on a few projects. But the laser opens up a whole world of ideas that simply can't be done with traditional tools. Thanks again for watching!

[@gregwilsonnaturephotography]

I always look forward to your videos, another truly professional and inspiring project. As you poured the plaster... I thought about resin... it might cut your cost and time using plastidip and less mess? I'm just starting my adventure with leather, laser, wood, and acrylic. You are a true craftsman! Greg

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Casting resin is pretty expensive stuff. On the other end, plaster is really cheap. Would be hard to be beat cost-wise.

[@kwill1911]

Try making one filled with lead shot like an old-time draftsman's paper weight. It is still a good coaster and is also useful for working on watches or other small devices. Should be much quicker to make, too.

[@MOONUNIT37]

man o man ...love it

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@Psychobilly]

That’s awesome 😎 bro!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks again man!

[@DougCarbaugh-pn1ey]

I know this video is older but haven't seen any new ones an I'm subscribed. I guess I'm just concerned to know that your ok and whole. I look at a lot of leather channels but I find yours to be at the top in my eye. Hope all is well

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing! Viewers of my channel have to keep in mind I do this as a side gig. I have a full-time day job, family, etc... I'm doing good if I can turn around a couple of videos a month!

[@DougCarbaugh-pn1ey]

I get it. I have the same dealio myself.

[@outfitr9703]

Those are nice! Any idea about what you'll charge for those?

[@deanransom2350]

You have skills, and cool equipment. Just curious if I may, what's the diameter of your coasters, they seem a little larger than standard, if there is such. Also, if you don't mind, what brand of air brush/generator do you use. I started with one of the battery powered models, not real satisfied so I am returning to old school, generator and air hose. Nice work, and again thanks for sharing your talent. It's inspiring.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

They're 4-1/4" wide. I have two airbrushes: A Iwata NEO and a Badger Xtreme Patriot (I have links to both in my Amazon store.... link on my channel's main page.) My compressor is a large Harbor Freight oil-lubed unit. I forget the size; it's buried in a home-made sound box and I haven't actually seen it in years.... I just flip a remote switch and hear it running.

[@toddkamuf6814]

Quick question, when you add the antique color on your leather after laser engraving it, did the antique remove the part that was engraved and became a replacement color?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I didn't use antique paste on these coasters. But when I do use it, a lot of the engraved areas get filled in. Depending on how much you buff will determine how much will remain.

[@03OughtThree]

Very nice work. Do you prefer the xtool to other brands that you've used here?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

All the lasers I've used in my videos I would recommend. That being said, I would strongly recommend to anyone buying a laser to look for models that are fully enclosed and have powered venting to push smoke and fumes out of your workspace. I use the xtool P2 more often simply because it's a huge, beast of a machine that isn't easily moved so takes up permanent space in my garage! Also, the fact that xTool has their own FREE software to run it (Creative Space) makes me lean toward their machines. Lightburn is a $100/year subscription.

[@Suit_and_tie_reptile_guy]

I know you probably don't have a bunch of free time on your hands but I'd love to get some videos kinda like the Hand Of God series you did a while back, where you just talked throughout it. Idk I just enjoy like hearing the thoughts, concerns, and just the whole mental process that you go through when tackling tricky projects or just mapping out a plan. Or you know just a chat about the weather or something is cool too idk but it would be awesome

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Note taken. Thanks for watching!

[@cheesecows666]

Great 3d print. Do you have a model for it available?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks! Not at the moment. I sell these sets on my Etsy store though.

[@jonas-mb6cf]

So fun to see your new ide’s very smart 👍🏻i going to get some new edgers, what do you think about craftpool PRO classsic edgers? Best regards Jonas

[@larrycumba2741]

@@jonas-mb6cf I have different edgers. Craftool, Owden and Osborne. My favorite is a set of Horse Shoe Brand edgers. Come in a set of five sizes interchangeable with one handle. Curved at the tip similar to Weaver. Touch them up on a buffing wheel before each use.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I haven't tried those edgers. They LOOK nice? I've had the craftool I'm using in the video for about 10 years. It's my favorite; but I don't think they sell that exact one anymore. Looks like they replaced it with the "Rounded Keen Edge Beveler". The working face of it is concave instead of flat.

[@ToddKamuf]

Quick question, do you put anything like resolene after you finish? So the moisture does not affect the color or words?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I don't bother with a top coat for these. Wouldn't last long under normal use anyway. Just the neatsfoot oil to keep it from drying out. The coasters are going to absorb moisture ... that's sort of the point. But leather also dries pretty fast too. With use, over time the leather will patina. The coaster you see at the very beginning is literally one of the first ones I ever made (from my video "Leather & Lasers" in October of 2022 ) It's seen steady use for almost two years and you can see how it's darkened and aged since then. The engraving is very visible and the leather is still in good shape.

[@santiagomindel4642]

idolo !!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!!!

[@pamelalittlefield4608]

Very nice....☺☺

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@chrishelton6928]

So, do you have a website to buy them

[@RoadAgentLeather]

They will soon be up on my Etsy page "roadagentleather". This first batch was a special order.

[@flmoose1]

How, How does your thread not end up with char on it?? Anytime I use the laser to cut stitching hold and a light colored thread, it gets darkend. Please grant me the knowledge!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

There's no way to avoid it practically. Unless you're going to swab each hole individually with a mini pipe-cleaner (the type you use on an airbrush---which I've tried.) Or just use darker-color thread. What I do is leave extra length of thread on the needle to act as a squeegee as I'm making my stitches. You can see on the video my thread darkens as I go too.

[@flmoose1]

@@RoadAgentLeather I normally use 0.8mm Ritza and cut 1.0mm holes with the laser. I have, on occasion, used the air nozzle from my air compressor to blow our the holes and sometimes run 1.00mm thread through. Most of the time, I just use darker thread or periodically wipe the thread as I go and use a longer length moving the needle as the thread gets dirty. Great idea for the coasters! To aid in the compacting, maybe try a using a paint mixer Dremmel attachment. I made one with a bit of wire. You could also do it with a drill. Seems it would be a bit easier and less messy to me. My $0.02

[@jamesmoore6479]

This man loves his pickles.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

favorite snack! Besides chips and salsa.

[@JericoGoods]

Where can they be purchased that doesn't require me to get Instagram? Those are Dope.

[@orion7741]

his etsy store

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Yes! my Etsy store "RoadAgentLeather". I don't have any sets on there right now... the sets that are made are already spoken for. But check back a little later.

[@jamesw.3491]

Do you sell the molds for the coasters?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

hi. No, I just have the 4 molds I printed to make one full set at a time.

[@jamesw.3491]

@@RoadAgentLeather I think you are missing an opportunity to make money. You have had at least two people ask about it.

[@johnhull2941]

class

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@jimhunt5259]

what kind of glue do you use?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I use either Ecoweld contact cement or LeatherWeld.

[@jimhunt5259]

@@RoadAgentLeather thanks

[@ryco1865]

Ah, Ace hardware. It's where I go when I'm lazy. I don't mind paying double price for cotter pins or lag screws if I don't have to walk the square mile Lowes parking lot.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I shop Lowes and Home Depot too. The ACE is just closer.

[@personanongrata9026]

А какой цвет краски для кожи использовался?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

The dye colors? The top of the coasters is Fiebing's buckskin. The bottom is russet. Thanks for watching!

[@НиколайПанов-е7щ]

А что это такое и для чего это нужно.....?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

They are weighted drink coasters. I talk about them at the very beginning of the video.

[@MrOldlexx]

это ж как надо себе мозг напрячь для того чтобы бокал не прилипал, ( и не оставлял мокрое месть на стойке) , к подставочке))) ... Во многих барах был везде одноразовые... но что б ТАК! ... или маньяк или извращенец

[@18deadmonkeys]

yet another reason I need a 3d printer I can show my wife. They prevent rings on her fancy furniture!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Exactly . . . all sorts of stuff you can do with them.