Leatherworking Bench

[Prax]

My son is just getting into leather-working. I want to build a bench for him to start with. Nothing too elaborate as who knows how long this interest will last. I read a few leather-working sites and it seems they use a granite piece for the actual tool work. As I do not have a piece of granite laying around, what might work as a temporary substitute? I am open to any and all ideas that you fine people can give me. Thanks.

[Black wallnut]

Way back when........ I've not heard of using a granite slab. My brother and I actually used a 10" or so firewood round sitting on top of a folded up blanket so as to not telegraph the noise to the downstairs. The real key to leatherwork, I assume you are thinking of tooling, is to make sure the leather is wet, and I do mean wet.

[Prax]

Yes, tooling will be part of it I assume. He is interested in making leather armor.

[master53yoda]

my brother-inlaw did a lot of leather work. his table had a section of 2x4s clued on edge under one end for about 20 " the table was 30 x 72. the purpose for the blocking was so that the hammer strikes did not bounce. The rest of the table top was 3/4 plywood with a Formica top over the whole thing. It worked well for him.

[eezlock]

leather working bench

This is not exactly a bench, but a slab of granite from a stone cutter that
makes grave markers would fill the bill. They may have a small piece that
could be purchased for a small price that would do all he would need. I would
not want to buy anything thicker than 2" or 2 1/2" it tends to get heavy
to move around and carry.

[Uncle Cracker]

If you need granite, countertop fabricators will probably have cutoffs or sink cutouts for reasonable cost.

[LinuxRandal]

For leather armor, I would start by looking up the SCA (renaissance reinactors). My father made a small "school desk" size bench for my nephew. My father is a woodworker, and Marble, I believe is sold at the local leather store, or you could use this as an excuse (have a local woodcraft?), to get a granite surface/sharpening plate. It would be big enough for stamping (move the leather over it), and portable enough for other projects, or if he loses interest.

[Prax]

Thanks for the great ideas. I was thinking the 2X4 on edge also. I am thinking this would be the easier/cheaper way to go for now and see how long the interest lasts. Then maybe move him up to something like the granite or marble piece added in later.

As a newbie here I really have to say "why didn't I come here earlier?" You all have such great ideas and a great wealth of knowledge. I surely will be here for a long time.

[scmhogg]

Prax,

Welcome. As you have already seen this forum has some of the nicest people you will ever run into on the WWW.

You didn't say how old your son is, but, I have plans for a kids bench that my son and I built when he was younger.

Steve

[Prax]

He is 21 now....the youngest of 3.

I am thinking a 2'X4' bench to start with. What are your thoughts on the size? Too small for a starter?