LatigoAmigo

Maybe I don't get out into the real world enough, but can't you order it from Amazon or some other online supplier? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XAMYXI/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You might consider using something like HeatnBond iron-on adhesive. I find that it is less messy than spray adhesive, although it requires iron your leather, which may or may not be workable. You iron the adhesive sheet onto the top piece, and when you pull off the backing, the adhesive evenly covers the backside of that piece of leather. Then press the colored leather against that, and iron the pieces of leather. I've used this process on a variety of projects, and have had varying results, but it should work well on veg-tan leather. This probably works better with a "heat press" than an ordinary iron, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the topic.

What do they look like?

You might take a look at this site: http://www.lzpattern.com/. They offer a variety of patterns, and you just might find something to get you started.

So here I am, one hour north of San Francisco. I go into the local Home Depot, and right there in the open is the culprit that's causing so many problems for so many people... absent any Prop. 65 warnings. Go figure.

What a wonder... maybe you should take out a banner ad on this site so this product doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

That concern points out the importance of proper ventilation.

I found a stiffener that you might find interesting, as it is made out of real leather. That might just help it behave more like the leather that is it being bonded to. It is called Leather fibre board, also known as leather board, bonded leather or Salpa, and it is available from a company in the Netherlands. Here is a link: https://www.hollandindustries.nl/en/products/shoe-materials/leather-fibre-board/

For point of reference, here is the bag where I used some 1.5 mm economy grade veg-tan as a stiffener on the front and back (but not on the sides). I like the result, so would look forward to finding Bontex/Texon that could be used instead.

If you try it, I would like to know how it turns out. The product I have is called Texon, and may not be exactly like Bontex, although it is supposed to be very similar. I purchased it at a Tandy store, and it came in only one weight, 2 mm, which is pretty thick. I am interested in what you are using, as it may exhibit different properties than what I have.

I face the same issue with most of the bags I make. On my last bag I Barge-cemented a piece of thin veg-tan on the inside of the body's front and back pieces, flesh-side to flesh-side. It provided the needed support and has held up very well. I use Bontex to keep the bottom of the bag stiff, as it is very cardboard like, and I wouldn't expect it to work very well on the other parts of the bag, at least in my case, as it could get bent or damaged, and not retain its original flat shape.

It isn't always an either or situation. Latigo is both veg-tanned and chrome tanned. Typically veg-tanned can be tooled after being "cased", if that might help your determination.

Believe me, I would be as annoyed as you (probably more so) if that is what I was seeing, but I'm just not running across the warning here that often, and I'm at Home Depot at least three times a week. Because you are out of state, it could be that the manufacturers' lawyers are posting the warnings even when the items have not been properly evaluated, just to cover their butts. The purpose of Prop 65 was to help make living healthier for those of us living here. It was passed by the voters (not the legislature) in 1986 when the smog was still thick in Los Angeles and San Jose, a fair amount of herbicide was being sprayed in our forests, and people in general were worried about being exposed to unnecessary health hazards. Probably not a perfect solution, and now the warnings run amuck, as you've pointed out. 33 years later it is probably pretty hard to stop that train. And certainly, no one here in California can do anything about the warning labels being applied in Nevada. So sorry!

I have some veg tan that is 1.5 mm thick that I can spare. Will that work or is it too thick?

I can see that this really bothers you, and you are right, it makes no sense whatsoever. The headache for me is trying to buy decent glues, dyes and finishes. Most of what is available in California is "eco-friendly" but not as good as what is available across the country.

If that was the case, we would have the warning on everything we purchase, and that is simply not the case. I buy tools all the time and have never seen the warning on any of them. You might want to know that CA is a fairly large piece of real estate, and not every locale is in lock-step with Sacramento... think State of Jefferson.

That looks really good. Nice work.

Another case of lawyers looking for work, and businesses simply trying to protect themselves.

Obviously someone is just trying to be funny.

My favorite leather supplier up north is Maverick Leather in Bend, Oregon. You might take a look at their website: https://www.maverickleathercompany.com/

Glue and edge paint will not hold up to the rigors of your wallet. You might have to use a punch rather than a chisel to get through this leather.

Have you tried Pacific Trimming? They carry RIRI zippers, and appear to have what you are looking for here: https://www.pacifictrimming.com/riri-m4-one-way-silver-teeth.html

Found it here for $3: https://www.toolbeltstore.com/belt-accessories/604-Tape+Clip#.XISzkihKi00

Found these on ETSY, at AP Saddlery Custom Leather Work, located in Pine Grove, Louisiana. Perhaps the shop owner can give you a lead. Good luck. https://www.etsy.com/shop/APddlery?ref=l2-shop-info-avatar&listing_id=547522791

Just a thought, and it may not make a lot of sense, but maybe you could build a prototype out of something not leather, like canvas or oil-board (from an art supply store), and send that to your client to have him verify the fit, suggest adjustments, etc.