Jump to content
Tallbald

Force Drying Leather Projects?

Recommended Posts

I'll be the first to admit here that I have force dried holsters and small projects in my our kitchen oven set at the lowest temp (170 degrees F) and with the circulating "speed cook" fan running. I don't bring a project down to bone dry, and only do it 5 minutes at a time, but rather to a point it is retaining its form and I cannot squeeze water out (from the clear water submerge rinse after vinegarooning), then it spends a night on a rack in front of a table fan.

I thought about building a small wood enclosure with a 100 watt light bulb in the bottom and a vent hole at the top that could maintain an inside temp of 130 degrees F, but incandescent bulbs are now "illegal" to import and sell in some areas and are a little hard to find. WHat are some of you members here doing to dry your projects? In my area, it could take days for outdoor drying in our high Kentucky humidity and with so many overcast days. I'm too old to wait so long for the sun to dry stuff for me. Thanks. Don

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Food dehydrator. Excalibur is what I use. Look in the holsters section and there are a few threads on force drying and what people use to get it done.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You know I never thought of a food dehydrator. Penny and i have one we stopped using because physical problems prevent our gardening now. I'll dig it out of storage and give it a try. I doesn't have variable temperature but I can check it with an oven thermometer and see what it's running. Thanks so much. Don

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

KY outlawed incandescent light bulbs? WTF?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In the winter time I'll place a piece over the floor vent. Makes the room smell like leather too so its a win-win! Otherwise i'll just put it in front of a fan. Dealing with the humidity of the Midwest here. It not as bad as KY but can get pretty sticky here.

KY outlawed incandescent light bulbs? WTF?

If memory serves correctly new production was outlawed on specific bulb types (anything in-efficient) a few years ago. Most of what can be found in stores is old stock. They can be sold just not made I think.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In the winter time I'll place a piece over the floor vent. Makes the room smell like leather too so its a win-win! Otherwise i'll just put it in front of a fan. Dealing with the humidity of the Midwest here. It not as bad as KY but can get pretty sticky here.

If memory serves correctly new production was outlawed on specific bulb types (anything in-efficient) a few years ago. Most of what can be found in stores is old stock. They can be sold just not made I think.

Interesting....guess I haven't bought light bulbs in a while.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just wanted to tell you that last I knew there was a loophole in the bulb law. Rough service bulbs were still ok but I dont know if that's changed. In case you don't know they are the ones you buy for a garage door openers or drop lights. I read an article quite awhile ago that said some company was now making a lot more of them since they could still be used.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the shoe drying rack and run it in my dryer on high for 40 minutes. Works great and you can't over heat it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...