The Leather Element: Shop Tricks Part 3 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The Lt (Leather Element) has given me more knowledge and tips than it otherwise would take decades of reading books or figuring things out on my own, which is how I’ve been doing it from the start. Thanks again, Chuck!

I cut a circle out of scrap using my corner punch. I use that circle and dye it, then glue it to the cap of that same dye. It helps me see what colors I have in my drawer at a glance. I also glue scrap to the pad of my spring clamps. That way, my clamps are padded and don’t mark up my projects.

If you have woodworking tools, you can use a one inch chisel to cut between the round punches for a slot.

The best tips are the ones that seem so obvious - AFTER you learn them! Well done as usual, Chuck!

I built a set of lights and they’re GREAT!! They throw a lot of light where I’m working. When I’m done they store easily out of the way ready for my next project.

It was worth every second to watch this episode. My thread gets caught on my pony ALL the time. Now, never again. Thanks Chuck.

Thank you for your "leather element" videos. I'm new to leatherworking & find your tips to be a terrific help... Especially highlighting common mistakes BEFORE I make them. Keep up the great positivity. 👍

The tape on the pony!!!!! Why didn't I think of that?? Brilliant !! Thanks Chuck. Saved me hours of frustration.

Haha, seeing the lamps I was thinking “grow lights”... Nice tips, thanks!

thanks for focusing on newbies a while

Thanks Chuck ! Your videos, all are very helpful. Setting up my shop now for future Leather Crafting..

YES! Theese were some awesome tips. I was especially bugged by my thread snagging on the bolt on my stitching pony. Thanks alot for passing the knowledge on.

Best take away for me today is wrapping the tool handles. I learn something from every LE.

Fantastic Video 📹 👏 Mr. Chuck

I'm really enjoying these; learning a lot too. Thanks.

Love the home made pony, inexpensive and works. Excellent tips and glad you covered the tips when we dont have as many tools as we want. We have to start someplace and this lets me see what I can do even better. Chuck is a master and love that he shares his mistakes, showing he is mortal, but a God in the leather industry. Thanks again chuck! PS Loved the question and answer segment on face book that I got to watch after it came out. Loved seeing you in your own shop.

Thank You Chuck for sharing great insight and tips!

Thanks Chuck. I'm sure I'll use these tips. Love them..

Thanks. I use two lights on my table too. Leather working was what made me finally accept i needed glasses.

Love the leather element series Chuck! One topic I’d love to learn more about us adding a cloth liner to a project, specifically a wallet

I drive a wine cork onto my hand punches, gives a little thickness for easier twist and removal.

Thanks, tape on the stitching pony lever is a great tip.

Love the tape idea on the pony, wish I had thought of that lol 😂

That tape on the sewing pony is a great tip, thanks!

Great idea with the lights.

Great information! I enjoy these type of videos. Thanks and stay well!

I made a belt lining sewing pony, though not as heavy as yours Chuck, but it's adjustable. 40 inches long and one and 1/8 inch high slot. I use it for sewing linings on belts, works very well.

aaaaaaaaaaiiiiiii chuck you make me very happy and keep me motivated to keep crafting. Thank you!

I made my own pony, it's just like a regular one but bigger and you can change the clamp with different heads for different size projects

Thanks for another great Leather Element Chuck. I don’t have a permanent leather workspace so lots of helpful ideas.

I'd love to see a video on how to make a pattern for a dome satchel with a wide opening and double zipper. The curved tops are always difficult, and the way you explain how to create you own patterns and make measurements always makes it very easy to understand! Thanks :)

Chuck, I would love to see a video on making one of those western gun belts you have hanging behind you on the wall! Those are beautiful!!!

In video Chuck. Thanks for your email on Thursday regarding the stitching punches 1/8 size. Got a set coming! Much appreciated.

Great tips👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks for the video

Great tips Sir! I'm starting my journey on leathercraft by getting the basic tools. It's going to take some time, but it's good to know these tips now.

Thank you so much I want to buy a stitching pony but cant afford one yet your advice onmaking one from 2×4 it what makes more sense for my situation, thanks again #life saver

Thanks, great video

Thank you! Gonna try to make a beautiful belt for dancing in Native American traditional style eventually 😍

Chuck in a past video, you spoke about using old product from thrift stores, ways to get hardware that might be great vintage items and also taking apart a purse and using for a personal pattern. Could you show how to take one apart as to not trash the items we are looking to salvage and how to reclaim them. I have reclaimed leather from a sofa that was tossed out in the trash, with perfect supple leather to be used in projects and to practice on. Thanks for your enthusiasm and looking forward to all the videos that you do. You have a fan for life! thanks, John

Thankyou sensei for the hack knowledge :D

Very Helpful!

thank you for this good and important Tricks...greetings from Germany

By the way i purchased this pony from Weaver and mounted to my old sewing pony bench, works great for my purposes.

Obrigado! (from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil)

First, Thanks Chuck for continuing to do these. I actually used the round hole punch cut between trick when I was first starting out, Kind of wish I had seen this video way back then as Indeed I would occasionally cut past the other hole. My fix it trick was to punch out another round hole making the tongue hole slightly longer to cover my mistake. I use the same 1" oblong punch for 1/2" to 1 1/4" straps, I have a 1 1/4 or 1 1/2" for wider straps, but I rarely use it. Did not know that I should be matching the strap width, at least above 1" width, so thanks for that info.

I would like to see you using your home-made stitching horse.

Wrapping the stamps... geess... wish I had though of that about 10 years ago... Gary-ANTLEY TX Knife & Forge.

Chuck!

Chuck, I thought your back wall was full of rolls of toilet paper 😂😂😂

ty

"It's not a perfect punch" doesn't sound the same after this "bloopers" clip :)

Hi Chuck, PLASTIC DIP is a product 4 making all kind of tools easy and soft 2 grip. Your hardware or big box stores sell it in many colors or www.plasticdip.com U can dip or spray it many times depending on how soft U want your tool 2 B. Just something this old LEATHER SMITH has found in the past. GOD'S BLESSINGS BROTHER ✝️⚾🙃

Tip at 8:18 is 100% accurate. lol

Hey Chuck, a quick question. I've made a few belts over the past few months, if not year. While you're video on how to make a belt was extremely helpful, one thing I struggle with is being able to line up the holes for the snaps on my turnback, and for the end of the belt. If you could share some tips of tricks, that would be awesome. Many thanks and warm regards, Dustin

hey chuck, great video...what are you using onthe lights as a diffuser?

Can I add Leather sheen after already having applied leather balm with atom wax? I added leather balm to a wallet before realizing it's not water resistant. Will the leather still be able to absorb the sheen?

Can you cover how to choose threads and where to find them? I have problems with hand sewing leather, and when I do, the wax on the threads come off and make the wax stained and unprofessional. Are my holes too small, or am I using the wrong threads? Great and helpful videos.

One more point 🧐😏

Thanks for the tips Chuck. Question, Tandy sells what they call a Kodiak leather, do you all have a similar leather?

What’s the best way to create a pattern for a project without trial and error with leather? For instance, if I wanted to make my own style of wallet or bag, I want to make sure I don’t cut a panel too big or small and waste leather.

What may be the best leather for strops? How can I do corners, I always cut and it just goes crooked and looks terrible?

Hi Chuck, I also found clip on LED lights with flexible arms that U could tie in knots 4 my shop, I use them all over, cutting table, glueing table, machine table, dieing table, and Teaching bench they clip on 2 any 3" or less edge, I purchased mine at lows I believe they R exclusive distributor's. Please excuse this old LEATHER SMITH GOD'S BLESSINGS BROTHER ✝️⚾🙃

Working with snakeskin. Can u help. it is a open question but that's the point now idea were to start.

How do you anchor that sewing pony the the vertical one you know the one that you sell how do you anchor that because there isn't any base to clamp it with

I have cerebral palsy I can use both hands but the right slide of body is shaky. Do you have any thoughts on how I can get past that. such as when I go to to making my holes

Great tips, but the helpfulness of your videos would be much improved if you brought the camera in quite a bit closer to your work. Thanks

Do you have any projects to do well we have to stay at home during this time

How do you fix a broken stitch

Ipad case, not a sleeve.