Applying Vinegaroon To Edges

[ToddB 68]

Hi Everybody !

I'm working on my first serious leather project.........a sheath of my own design for a digging tool. The design is simple, a Front and Back, as shown in the attached pics. The Front is wider than the Back of course, to enable forming a pocket for the tool. The Back includes a retainer strap for the tool handle and a mating tab for a Zack White line 24 Buffalo Nickel snap set.

The leather I'm using is 12 oz.. Veg-tanned. I know this is thicker than necessary for this project and is harder to work with, but it's all I have and can't justify buying more leather. I roughly rounded the edges, using a Midas Edge Beveling Tool # 8076-3 and plan to further round and smooth with fine sand paper by hand. I'll be following the Bob Park's "Finishing Edges" steps as far as sequence of operations goes, and substituting some of the finishing products with the following:

#1..Hanover Saddle Soap from my shoe polishing kit.

#2..A block of household Paraffin wax I purchased.

#3..Bees Wax I purchased.

#4..Zack White Gum Tragacanth I purchased.

#5..Fiebing's 100% Pure Neatsfoot Oil I purchased ( for the final finish).

#6..Vinegaroon dye

My first batch of Vinegaroon is on it's third day and still gassing off. I cleaned the factory oil off two pads of XXXX steel wool by soaking with brake fluid and setting on fire . Then tore the steel wool into strips and dropped it into a plastic bottle containing approximately 1-1/2 quarts of Distilled White Vinegar, closed the "pop-off" cap slightly-snug and set the bottle outside in the sun to cook. Each day I give the vinegaroon a few swirls. So far, the mix is just slightly black.

I foresee a problem controlling the black dye when applying it to the edges of my project and am seeking ideas. At age 69 and taking medications over the past 17 years for (4) health issues, my hands aren't as steady as I they used to be.

After the dye is ready, I plan to practice with some scraps of the 12 oz. leather.

Here are some of my own ideas to keep the dye in a straight line, but would appreciate opinions from those of you with experience.

(1)..Apply some of that blue-colored painter's tape along the leather edge, or some other non-staining peel-off product.

(2)..Use an adjustable groover (Craftool #8074-00) to cut a groove along the edge of the leather, to act as a reservoir to stop the dye from migrating or wicking

onto the face of the leather.

(3)..Use a hand-made bevel-edged felt tipped pen, instead of a small dauber.

(4)..Since dye will flow under the affects of gravity, place the piece of leather face down on the work table and dye one side of the edge, then flip over and do the

other side.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Todd

Edited August 29, 2010 by ToddB68

[spur2009]

Hi Everybody !

I'm working on my first serious leather project.........a sheath of my own design for a digging tool. The design is simple, a Front and Back, as shown in the attached pics. The Front is wider than the Back of course, to enable forming a pocket for the tool. The Back includes a retainer strap for the tool handle and a mating tab for a Zack White line 24 Buffalo Nickel snap set.

The leather I'm using is 12 oz.. Veg-tanned. I know this is thicker than necessary for this project and is harder to work with, but it's all I have and can't justify buying more leather. I roughly rounded the edges, using a Midas Edge Beveling Tool # 8076-3 and plan to further round and smooth with fine sand paper by hand. I'll be following the Bob Park's "Finishing Edges" steps as far as sequence of operations goes, and substituting some of the finishing products with the following:

#1..Hanover Saddle Soap from my shoe polishing kit.

#2..A block of household Paraffin wax I purchased.

#3..Bees Wax I purchased.

#4..Zack White Gum Tragacanth I purchased.

#5..Fiebing's 100% Pure Neatsfoot Oil I purchased ( for the final finish).

#6..Vinegaroon dye

My first batch of Vinegaroon is on it's third day and still gassing off. I cleaned the factory oil off two pads of XXXX steel wool by soaking with brake fluid and setting on fire . Then tore the steel wool into strips and dropped it into a plastic bottle containing approximately 1-1/2 quarts of Distilled White Vinegar, closed the "pop-off" cap slightly-snug and set the bottle outside in the sun to cook. Each day I give the vinegaroon a few swirls. So far, the mix is just slightly black.

I foresee a problem controlling the black dye when applying it to the edges of my project and am seeking ideas. At age 69 and taking medications over the past 17 years for (4) health issues, my hands aren't as steady as I they used to be.

After the dye is ready, I plan to practice with some scraps of the 12 oz. leather.

Here are some of my own ideas to keep the dye in a straight line, but would appreciate opinions from those of you with experience.

(1)..Apply some of that blue-colored painter's tape along the leather edge, or some other non-staining peel-off product.

(2)..Use an adjustable groover (Craftool #8074-00) to cut a groove along the edge of the leather, to act as a reservoir to stop the dye from migrating or wicking

onto the face of the leather.

(3)..Use a hand-made bevel-edged felt tipped pen, instead of a small dauber.

(4)..Since dye will flow under the affects of gravity, place the piece of leather face down on the work table and dye one side of the edge, then flip over and do the

other side.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Todd

Howdy Todd. Reckon I can help with your home made dye problem. I amke it all the time. Your problem is white distilled vinegar..you can let it set

for weeks and will never make a useable dye. The thing to do is use apple cider vinegar. Will completelyy disolve steel wool in 2-3 days. Strain

in to clean container (I use a coffee filter) and you are ready to go with a great black dye.

Try this for finishing your edges. 1 part elemers glue to 4 parts water. Apply to edge and burnish with a piece of canvas or old levi leg.

Good luck on your project hoss

[ToddB 68]

Howdy Todd. Reckon I can help with your home made dye problem. I amke it all the time. Your problem is white distilled vinegar..you can let it set

for weeks and will never make a useable dye. The thing to do is use apple cider vinegar. Will completelyy disolve steel wool in 2-3 days. Strain

in to clean container (I use a coffee filter) and you are ready to go with a great black dye.

Try this for finishing your edges. 1 part elemers glue to 4 parts water. Apply to edge and burnish with a piece of canvas or old levi leg.

Good luck on your project hoss

Hey spur2009 !

Thanks much for the tips !

I'll re-make my Vinegaroon, using the apple cider vinegar ........ glad you spotted that in my post.

Any thoughts on keeping the dye in a straight line ?

Todd

Edited August 30, 2010 by ToddB68