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OrangeMoose — Leather Armor Tutorial
Published: 2009-08-27 06:28:11 +0000 UTC; Views: 141121; Favourites: 2266; Downloads: 1576
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Description
I wrote up a tutorial of my first leatherworking project. It took a lot of time and research, but I know anyone who has time and patience can do it. I also really want to thank the Tandy man who talked to me for about an hour when I went to their store. He gave me so much advice. Thank you!I also learned a lot about leatherworking from who has a great maskmaking tutorial on her livejournal. I mean, that's what armor is, right? A mask for your body. Yesssss. Thank you!
Sorry for any typos (so tired), and please ask any questions you may have.
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Comments: 233
Yeah, a lot of it really is just research, and the other part is trying to find somewhere to start, lol. I hope you get some use from it.
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Is there an easier way to carve the grooves of the designs that aren't along the edges? Using the groover without an edge is almost impossible for me.
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Oh, man, that was hard. I used a stylus to make a precise indentation of my design first, that way the groover had something to follow and wasn't going all over the place. I just kept a steady hand, and learned from part of my back piece (that I messed up on), which my hair covered anyway. Just practice a bit before you do it for real.
There might be something else out there, but I just went with the tools I had and the design I knew I wanted.
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My "practice" is a bracer my friend wanted me to make him. 
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Lol, that's awesome! My first time to Tandy I took a screen shot print-out of the armor set. I am really glad the tutorial is helping you out.
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what for a leahter i have to use and where i can find a leahter like this?;-;
But awsome toutrial!!*-*
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thanks, that's like, massively helpful
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Great tutorial! I love your cosplay!
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Great tutorial! I'm considering making leather armor for a future cosplay, and the clarity with which you present your process is a big help.
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Very nice! Looks very good for your first try! I've yet to be brave enough to take on something like this.. I'm still working small and practicing with the tooling 
Random thing you may have picked up on by now, if you soak the leather in hot water (I believe it is around 250deg F (Candy thermometer will help this)) then it 'burns' the leather, making it hold its form better once it has dried... They say to know when to stop soaking it is when the leather stops producing lil bubbles in the water.. Haven't done it myself yet, but have researched it a bit... It is very amazing how well leather will stretch once it has soaked, it is also very forgiving to tooling if something is messed up, so long as the tooling mark isn't too deep/cuts the leather... in my bits I've done these things have continuously amazed me
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Ooo, I've heard about boiling leather to harden it, but I never knew what temp to do it at. Thanks! I might have to try this out.
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oh hell, I apparently got the temp completely off, though (I figured I'd better find the article thing I read before n double check since it's been a while since I've read it) it's 120deg you want.. here's the whole article I looked up [link]
I noticed in *merimask 's tutorial she soaks them then heats them in the oven.. I may have to try that way as well when I start working on masks 'n figure out which I like more... but heat helps harden the leather, that way if it by chance gets wet again it is less likely to lose it's form, though I know you want to avoid molded leather gettin wet at all...
If you try it let me know how well it works for you! 
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Oh, awesome! Thank you! I wonder would would happen if it was too hot? I am guessing it might crack the leather or make it too brittle.
yeah, I might have to try this. Water forming items, letting them air dry, and paiting them with acrylics generally makes them pretty hard, but they still bend a bit. I am hoping this will achieve a certain hardness where the leather won't bend. For an upcoming costume I am going to have to make dragon scales for a tabard type of thing. I was thinking of using craft foam for economy, but making real leather scales is too tempting. I'll definitely let you know how they turn out!
Btw, you are an awesome artist! You have so much great work in your gallery.
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I'm not sure what would happen if it was to get too hot, probably have problems with cracking as it dries.. in the next couple weeks I'm going to be making a trip to my Tandy shop (My fave store is about 90 miles away, but fairly close to my parents house, they're very kind and helpful people, though!) they've got a teacher that comes in once a week that I'm going to try and sit down with and soak up as much information as I can.. I'll ask him if he knows much about molding and the best ways to do so.. if I find anything useful out I'll definitely be sure to pass the info along to you
I've a feeling leather will always have a bit of a bend to it, but with armor making, you obviously want to get it as solid as you can.. I hear ya on economy! but there is something to be said about actual leather scaling.. it'll look better in the long run of it all (But probably be a bit more work to put together), it'll also likely hold up quite a lot better.. but maybe try a practice piece with the foam, n see how it looks/feels? You never know how it'll do 'till you try! n the foam certainly would be less expensive and probably easier to piece together
If you're getting your leather/supplies directly from a true Tandy shop, 'n if you're spending a fair amount there.. I'd recommend looking into their memberships, Gold takes you to wholesale prices and platinum takes you to cost.. The best way to tell if it'd save you anything is to get on their web page and look over what you'd be buying the most.. on the web page it has prices for regular and the club prices, so you'd see how much you'd save.. some things it isn't saving you much, other things they can pay for the membership cost and save money quite quickly.
'n thank you so much!
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Yeah, leather is so addicting!
And I LOVE Tandy. My membership actually ran out early this year. It saved me SO much money since I had to buy all the tools. Probably won't rejoin until I need to make another large purchase.
I've been to 4 Tandy stores and I have to agree that they are so friendly. Best customer service I have experienced. I stopped by the eastern Phoenix store in Arizona on my way to Texas once. They had all these awesome embossed pieces on the wall: wolf and bear heads that looked like they were coming out of the leather. I guess they soak the leather, push up the general shape of the design, fill it with rubber cement/sawdust and tool it. The guy said they had free classes on it but, alas, I live in Cali. The nearest one to me is about 2 hours. I'll still attempt it, but a class would have been nice.
So, yes, if you learn anything cool then please share!
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Oh, that sounds like fun and like it would look really cool! I may have to ask about that as well.. as if I need to get myself into more leather projects 
I only had one run in with a Tandy shop keeper that annoyed me... I sum it up to he was having an off day but because of it I'd rather travel the 90 miles to the Tandy in Cheyenne than the one that's about 30 miles away in the Denver area.. The Cheyenne Tandy has just about everything too! n the shop owner 'n the woman that works for him are sweethearts! They've become good friends of mine through my adventures up there..
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Wow, all that sounds like fun! Do you know if sewing machines can handle sewing softer skins like pigskin? I've never worked with anything but cowhide so it might be nice to try something new. Would I just need a thick fabric needle for my machine?
And chain mail sounds so cool! You and him need to team up to make ren fair outfits! He can do the chain mail on yours and you can do the leather on his! XD
So perfect. I need to start conditioning my husband to work on costumes with me. Having a partner in crime would be fun, haha.
I am excited to go to Tandy now. Probably will go at the end of the month and see Harry Potter at the IMAX while we are there. So many ideas..brain feels like it may explode.
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My dad has an older sewing machine that was able to handle several layers of deer, I imagine most machines would be able to handle pigskin (Its rather thin, 'n Tandy just recently got a new item of super soft pigskins in that're gorgeous) The deer I have (I've bought two different tops and made a skirt) is uber comfortable! n it stretches to form, so it looks great if it's made right
I got all excited when he got interested in chain maille, soon as he figures out what he wants for a costume I'll be doing the leather work n probably be the one making his dark staff, since I'm already going to be making a couple stave's.. 'n I've got an idea to work in some scale maille into my costume, so he'll be working on that for me (Probably take him as long to make the lil bit of scale maille as it'll take me to do the leather work and staff, lol.. The man has patience to do that stuff!)
It is awesome having that partner in crime!
'n ah ha! Harry Potter and Tandy! Sounds like a good day to me! lol, 'n I know what you mean about the brain exploding! My ideas run so far so fast
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Wow, those skins sound great. I can't wait to check them out! Are skins like that dye-able? Like say if I wanted to dye them a darkish blue?
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I've been told they don't take any dye (havent tried, personally) but the pigskins come in all sorts of colors.. the one I got excited over was a very beautiful vibrant red (as most reds I've seen were very dull) .. Hopefully your Tandy carries all the colors so you can see them! There are other leathers that come in different colors as well.. all depends on what you're wanting to do with them as to which would work best
Maybe if you know someone who hunts you could talk to them about gettin the skins tanned, I'm sure then you can get the leather in blue (As I'm guessing the color is produced while tanning) .. That is all something new to me that I'm going to be looking into.. got a friend who's elk hunting so I'm going to make some calls to taxidermists n see what it costs to get the skins tanned n what my options are with it
Forgot to mention before that if you run any leather through a sewing machine, make sure to get the heavy duty thread used on tapestries n whatnot..
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Thanks for the thread tip! And I guess I will just have to check out their selection before I get too carried away, haha.
Kinda wish I still lived in Washington state as far as asking hunters goes. There is no game in southern California. XD It's all good though.
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Yeah.. I see the issue with no game in Southern Cali... lol. Colorado has a good supply, I just gotta find more friends who hunt again.. kinda lost touch with a good portion of 'em.. Maybe if I find more friends who hunt (More specifically for deer, since I figure that'll do more for ya than anything) n find out what all it takes to get a skin tanned colored.. I can help ya out in gettin some if your Tandy doesn't carry any you like..
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I did see some pretty cool stuff on Tandy's website though, so I should be ok. If not I'll let you know. I have a PayPal account if it comes down to that. I appreciate the offer, that is very nice of you.
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No prob! I'm sure Tandy will have something you'll like! If not then you may ask the shop owner about other leather shops with more deerskin n whatnot.. my Tandy gave me a tip on a shop I need to go check out soon that he used to work for that carries a lot more deer n whatnot than Tandy does.. My Tandy carries a massive selection of veg tanned leather 'cause they're mostly selling to those who're making saddles.. this other shop is more aimed at the renaissance fair crowd since it's right in the area of the ren fair, n have more native american customers, so it's supposed to be more suede, deer, elk n the such... Whenever I get a chance to go to visit it I'll keep an eye out for any nice dark blue skins and get a price for you, I really enjoy my art n enjoy bein able to give a helping hand to others who share the same love
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Yeah, I'll have to ask them if they know of any other places. Next time I go to Washington to see my parents I will have to check around too. I know there are some places in the LA area, but honestly, I HATE driving to LA, lol. It's too crowded and the traffic is terrible. If I can find what I need elsewhere I would be very happy. Although, just so I know my options, I should probably plan a day trip one of these days. There is a pretty cool ren fair down there with some local leather craftsmen. They are most likely getting some of their supplies locally.
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Interesting stuff. I'm going to 
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i love tutorials that give you a technique along with the result.
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Amazing job on the breast piece. I've been wanting to make some female armor for a while, but it's just so dang daunting! This really, REALLY helped. Thanks so much.
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How did a guy like yours get you?
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Haha, he's one lucky bastard XD
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This is a really easy-to-follow tutorial! I've been curious about leather work and this really helps
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I am glad! It might seem like a difficult hobby to get into, but it's really easy and relaxing.
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I have a friend who does leather work and I'm always amazed by it...definitely something I'd love to work on as well!
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that is one impressive tute. makes it sound almost do-able!! thank you
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Oh .... this makes me want to get back into leatherworking again.
Great job on building the pattern and armor.
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that is amazing, i must say!
if ever i get the time and materials, i'm definitely taking a second look at this.
thanks a bunch!
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Thank you
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how hard is the leather after you soak it and how hard is it after putting the sheen spray on it?
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It becomes much more stiff and holds its shape. It can still bend if you really force it, but it will retain its shape. If you let it dry and rewet it then it will keep getting more rigid. I hear a good way to make the armor rock solid is to boil the leather. Painting and spraying it will only make it a bit stiffer, but it's only noticible on thin leather. I can knock on mine like I am knocking on a door and it sounds like wood.
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Wonderful tutorial - I plan to put it to good use very soon (starting work on Druid Tier 5 shortly).
Quick question though, is the tutorial on Merimask's LJ a really old entry? I've gone through to 2008 but I haven't found it yet. If you happen to still have the link to that tutorial, I would love to get my paws on it. Thanks!
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Thanks! Please link me pictures when you are done! I'd love to see. Here are parts 1 and 2 of her tutorials.
[link]
[link]
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