Quality project materials on a budget

jblyttle

jblyttle

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Sep 3, 2014
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I enjoy finding ways to make good things with what is on hand, and take pride in having quality tools and other items for as little money as possible. I'm not poor, but I have 4 kids and I can't throw money away either. I've been doing good things for next to nothing with yardsale tools- files and rasps, clamps and vises etc. for pennies on the dollar. One part of the philosophy is using wood that is on hand and re-purposing it if is good enough. Having said that, sometimes you just want to make something out of a new piece of wood. With this in mind, I was going to splurge and take a trip to a woodworking store that carries exotics in various sizes. Osage Orange, Purpleheart and many others. While expensive, a 1.5x1.5x12 piece of Osage is about the same price as a premade hatchet or hammer handle, so not too bad. I may still do this.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/838059/Osage-Orange-Argen-2-x-2-x-12.aspx

However, I stopped into Home Depot today and walked to the axe and handle section. My eyes hit a 46" ash shovel handle. I picked it up and started thinking. It was a high quality straight grained piece and thick enough to create nice handle swells. Also, it could be used to make 2-4 handles for under $9. Granted they need to be straight handles, I'm fine with that, especially if I can have a nice swell. I picked it up. It isn't Osage, but it is very nice quality thick strong wood for almost 1/5 the price and I can choose my lengths. This is a good option for good material on a budget.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/True-Temper-46-5-in-Solid-Shank-Shovel-Handle-2037400/100605615

I have been thinking along these lines for another item lately. People like to make their own sheaths, but cheap leather is not always easy to find and not everyone wants to use their old boots. There is a discount chain in my region called Ocean State Job Lot, and they carry red dyed leather gloves for use at the grill and they cost maybe $6. We use a such a pair with our dutch oven at the fire and I imagine that you could make 2-4 sheaths out of a pair depending on the size and pattern. Good stuff and a neat color too. Tractor Supply and Harbor Freight have similar items. Another option along the same lines is the $10-11 welding apron that Harbor Freight sells. That may be a lifetime supply of sheath material. Not saddle leather to be sure, but decent and very inexpensive. I recently picked up a leather fire wood carrier for almost nothing so I have my supply, but this is something that I would have done if not for that nice find.
http://www.harborfreight.com/split-leather-welding-apron-45193.html

I'm wondering what other ideas other people may have along similar lines. We can't all spend blindly on the best things, but that doesn't mean that we can't have good things.
 
Good idea about the welding apron! I'm always looking and making notes for sheath material, but haven't jumped on anything yet. In a similar vein, I was recently able to barter with somebody on the other coast. A woman wanted some small pieces of woodwork for necklaces she makes, and she has the leatherworking skills and materials to make a sweet sheath. So, I have sent her something that was relatively easy for myself to do since I have many wood scraps, and she has sent me a sheath that would have been a big investment for me to make myself because quality leather ain't cheap. It's on the way in the mail, we'll see how well it turns out!

A note about the osage: sometimes it's just better to use what comes along. These things aren't worth forcing. Splurging when you find the right piece is different though, it takes judgement. Hopefully you'll get your hands on a good piece of osage before long. And may it be large enough for an axe handle! If I found anything that big I'll let you know.
 
For around 45 dollars shipped, you can get 6-7 square feel of 6 ounce tooling leather. The stuff you are thinking about is way to thin and will flop around. It is worth the extrabmoney to be honest. At my local exotic wood store, youbcan get a 10 foot piece of ash about 1.5" thick for around 20 dollars or so. That will get you several handles if you get some straight grain throughout the whole thing.

Good luck!
Tanner
 
I like the sentiments expressed here. There's a satisfaction that comes with re-using or re-purposing materials.
 
I've made a 1/2 dozen or so friction fit sheaths for my axes n hatchets out of an old work out welding jacket, I'll post some pictures when I get back to the homestead.
 
This guy uses yard-sale boots to make sheaths:

church&son said:
...I decided to make the sheath out of what was in my junk leather pile, a pair of yard sale ladies Justin boots.

bushsheath1.jpg

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apoc2.jpg

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Everything except the rawhide throat, some harness stitching cord and an old roller buckle came from the boots
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Click to expand...
 
Good ideas. I buy leather at the thrift store. Old belts, purses, and leather jackets for cheap prices.
 
I picked up used tool belt pieces from the local Habitat for Humantities shop. I'm waiting on a hole punch to come from Amazon and then I'll try and make some sheaths. That apron idea is kind of cool. I like suede for the texture and feel. You can wear it next to your skin and it weathers in interesting ways. That sheath made of old boot leather is something I want to try too, I like the look of that thing, menacing and creepy.
 
Liberatus1 said:
I picked up used tool belt pieces from the local Habitat for Humantities shop. I'm waiting on a hole punch to come from Amazon and then I'll try and make some sheaths. That apron idea is kind of cool. I like suede for the texture and feel. You can wear it next to your skin and it weathers in interesting ways. That sheath made of old boot leather is something I want to try too, I like the look of that thing, menacing and creepy.
Click to expand...

I picked up an old travel bag from the trash pile at an estate sale today, top grain cow hide and I was able to cut a very good amount off of the bag. Suede on the inside, smooth on the other side and maybe 1/16 inch thick.
 
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