Cost to do leather.....

[longwinters]

Ok, so as previously stated I know nothing about leather work. Have no tools, no leather no nada.  If I decide to pull the trigger and order/buy leather, thread and necessary tooling for cutting, punching, stiching, dying and maybe a bit of stamping (or whatever you call it).  How much in cost am I looking at?  What kind of leather do I need (I don't know the difference when it comes to what leather is best for what use).
 
I have been considering maybe a belt.  Two layer, 1.5" .  I would like to order everything from one place as I'm a thinking that I will have to order off of the internet.
 
Long

[AtlLaw]

I have been considering maybe a belt.  Two layer, 1.5" .  I would like to order everything from one place as I'm a thinking that I will have to order off of the internet.

Phew!  That ain't an easy one there hoss... uh, Long!   
 
As a novice myself, having recently experienced what you're going through, let me offer the following.
 
First thing, sit you sef down, open a bottle (or two) of that wine a you'rn, and run through how you going to make that belt.  If you say to you sef "Sef, how do I do that," look it up or ask.  Most of your questions would be answered by doing this, but just in case lets say I want to make a lined belt.  All this stuff is available from Tandy BTW, but there are other suppliers.
 
Buy the buckle you have decided to use.
Buy a leather strap of the appropriate width.  They are 8-9 Oz.
Buy lining leather of the appropriate weight.  Say 2-3 or 3-4 Oz or what ever you want.
note: You can buy a belly pretty cheaply, but the leather is hit and miss.  So you buy a side...
Buy Glue and glue the liner to the belt
Buy leather knife and trim liner to match belt.  Note:  An Exacto works fine for the thin stuff but it takes a pretty hefty blade to cut thick leather!
Buy a stitching groover and groove belt for stitches.
Buy a spacing wheel tool and lay out position of stitching holes.
Buy an edge beveler and bevel edge of belt.
Buy a 1/16 in. drill bit.
Buy a Dremel tool with drill press accessory and drill stitching holes.  OR! (so I don't get flames) an awl and punch the holes...
Buy an appropriately sized punch and punch holes for buckle tongue or hook.
Buy the stamps needed for the design you selected.
Buy a hammer to hit stamps with and stamp the belt.
Buy snaps or rivets or Chicago screw (whatever) and make appropriate modifications to the buckle end of the belt.  Don't forget the keeper.
Buy some leather cleaner and clean leather.
Buy the dye you selected and dye the belt.  I use an Air Brush to get an even coat of dye.
Buy a stitching pony.  Note: I made mine
Buy a pack (or more) of straight needles.
Buy the appropriate color thread and stitch the liner to the belt.
Buy a slicker/creaser.
Buy some Gum Tragacanth and finish the edges of the belt.
Buy a finish and finish the whole belt.
 
I think that's everything...    You can go to the Tandy site, look all this stuff up and get your own prices, I'm tired!   

[SHOOTALL]

Check out a kit from TANDY LEATHER , a good way to see if you like it.

[longwinters]

Holy Smokes! 
 
I was looking for a winter hobby not another occupation.....    I already work 50 hours a week.  Maybe I'll stick with reloading and gardening.
 
Long

[oldandslow]

Just make a belt out of heavier leather and eliminate at least half of the work. A piece of 9-10 oz. leather will last just as long or longer than a two ply one and there are no stitches to wear out.
 
If you are serious go to Tandy Leather Company's web site and find Al Stholman's book on making belts. It will tell you what you will need and how to do it. Lots of knowledge for not much money.

[rdstrain49]

Misc. tools, stamps etc.       $500.00


Damascus  Head knifes
   and other misc. knives    1,000.00


Leather (one side 5oz.)         150.00


Misc. dyes and leather prep   200.00


Hand operated sewing
   machine                         1,500.00

Benches and misc. equip     2,000.00


Building to house leather
   shop                            75,000.00


Finish interior of shop        10,000.00

Total Cost of First Belt      $90,350.00


Prices may vary in your area.

[longwinters]

Plus increase in insurance and property taxes........yikes.
 
Long

[AtlLaw]

Prices may vary in your area.

     The price we pay to have fun!!!   

[rdstrain49]

Long,  really all you need to try it is a couple of belt blanks, an awl or small drill, two needles, thread and dye. No tooling, nothing fancy, just a good belt.  Total cost probably $20.00 maybe less plus buckle.  You can use a utility knife with a new blade.  Really don't need much else just to give it a try.  WARNING it can be addictive.

[johnnyb]

You can also buy belt blanks from Tandy already stamped with various designs. I started my leather work years ago with an armguard that I still use today. If there is a Tandy store in your area you can talk to the folks there. I do do all types of projects from belts, possible bags, knife sheaths to holsters, back quivers, etc.   Nothing real fancy but sturdy and practical. As far as tools needed, all of mine fit in a double pistol case, and I bought them over the years. One suggestion is to buy a good leather knife and a pair of leather shears at the start, it makes it a lot easier to cut and trim the thicker leather.

[tzimm007]

I have been doing leather craft for about ten years now and you can get alot of money tied up but you don't have to. I started with a kit from Tandy I think it was the middle kit it's on the web sight. I think it was a hundred bucks. It has all your basic tools you'll need for belts and wallets ect. I would also recommend Al Stohlman's book on hand stitching it's a good resource and has plans for a stitching pony. I built one and I think it cost me 7 dollars for materials. If you are planning on doing some stamping of tooling you will need a good flat and hard surface to work. They sell some 12 x 12 (I think there marble) slabs at Tandy. When I got mine I went to a monument place(build headstones) to see if they had any scrap they would sell me. The guy ended up giving me a headstone that was missprinted. It's a great work surface. If you sign up for Tandy's wholesale club you get a pretty good discount and a free patern and stamp every month. I think it's 25 bucks it will pay for itself one your first order with the discount usually.
Good luck TJ

[corbanzo]

A strip of leather.  $10 (Get a whole side for $100-$200 and do more stuff since you are buying the tools)
A strip of liner leather.  $5 (see above)
Strong stitching cord or sinew.  $2-5
A stitch awl $10-15
Punches, rivets for the buckle and a rubber mallet - $20 for all of that and extra rivets
A buckle $whatever you wanna spend.
Knife - use a box cutter (replaceable razorblades are awesome for leather, it dulls knives fast) and a exacto knife for small intricate stuff $10
Leather dressings $10
Stamps, rollers, yadda, yadda - $? whatever you want.

Once you've spent that money above, if you buy the whole side of leather, you are in for a belt or two and a few holsters and some sheaths and a bandolero.... I usually use 10 ozish tooling leather.  It isn't always the prettiest, but its tough as nails and dresses up nice if you put the time in. 

I started leatherworking with a mallet, a punch, some rivets, a box cutter, an awl, some sinew, and leather.  Honestly, haven't bought much more in the last ten years. 

[AtlLaw]

Hey Long!  You ever make the belt or has this early spring got you digging in the dirt already?   

[longwinters]

Well, I haven't touched anything. Got a new grand daughter via our daughter and SIL so that took time.  Then our 23 yr old son had some leg surgery, which lead to a blood clot in his left lung, fluid and a partial lung collapse.  2 weeks in two different hosptals 400 miles apart.
 
Now he is moving away aprox 500 miles, looking for a new job and getting married in July....... Of course all of this includes my wife and I.
 
I haven't had time to scratch let alone think about leather.
 
Maybe this winter.  Thanks for asking.
 
Long

[ironglow]

Misc. tools, stamps etc.       $500.00


Damascus  Head knifes
   and other misc. knives    1,000.00


Leather (one side 5oz.)         150.00


Misc. dyes and leather prep   200.00


Hand operated sewing
   machine                         1,500.00

Benches and misc. equip     2,000.00


Building to house leather
   shop                            75,000.00


Finish interior of shop        10,000.00

Total Cost of First Belt      $90,350.00
 
 Cost of regulation
compliance, haz material
permits and taxes levied
by Obama administration.  $ 52, 400.00                             .
                                   ____________
 
                                    $ 142. 750.00
 
     Maybe you should buy a belt...    


Prices may vary in your area.

  Oh Shucks I forgot..contributions to ACORN, the DNC, and the retired politicians and dead voter society of Chicago......
        ...better add at least another $15,000.00...for startup.