leather Question -

[Burchtree]

What do you guys use to clamp the leather pieces together while waiting for barges to kick in? I've been using some el' cheapo plastic pieces but i find that they will sometimes leave a mark on the leather (especially if it's been wet-molded). What does well for holding things together without messing things up?

 

[Mark Williams]

Do yourself a big favor Michael and get Chuck Burrow's video. The little things make all the difference in the world.

 

[Wild Rose]

Barge is a contact cement - no clmping necessary when used right? What are you doing......?????

 

[Burchtree]

Barge is a contact cement - no clmping necessary when used right? What are you doing......?????

Obviously using it wrong. For instance, if I'm doing a pouch sheath, I'll use barge to hold the parts together and let it dry before stitching. I use the clamps to hold everything in place and squeezed together so it can dry.

 

[Wild Rose]

OK - that's where you're going wrong - (when everything else fails read the instructions...
1) apply the cement to both pieces to be glued - scuff up the leather a bit with some 80-100 grit sandpaper for a good bond.
2) Apply a THIN coat of the cement to BOTH pieces to be glued - let dry for 10-15 minutes normally. Look sideways across the glue - it should look shiny, be tacky , but not wet. If there are any dull spots re-apply the glue as above and re-check - on the porous flesh side sometimes 3-4 LIGHT coats will be needed.
3) Once it looks good CAREFULLY align the parts and press firmly together - if everything looks good take a smooth faced hammer that does not have sharp edges and lightly tap along the glued seam. Be careful when lining things up once contact cement gets set the parts are hard to get back apart and you can totally ruin a piece by trying to take it back apart.
4) After gluing I like to let everything set for 24 hours before sewing - the glue will have come to full strength by then (yep the can says half an hour or so but trust me 24 is better). Also the glue won't be gooey and want to stick to your needle while sewing. If you can't/won't wait 24 hours then at least two hours will help immensely.

Michael - I thought you had my DVD - I show how-to in there....

 

[Burchtree]

Read Instructions. Good call. I can't say I've actually ever read the instructions on the back of the the "Barges Rubber Cement."

Sounds like I need to purchase the DVD -- badly.