LatigoAmigo

You don't really need to put a scope on your inverter output, because you should be able to get that type of technical information from the company that built the inverter, or possible the company that installs it. Or, very likely, a forum or blog site where solar users discuss such topics. This type of information should be very available these days.

You might see if you can determine what the solar inverter's output looks like, i.e., the sine wave viewed through an oscilloscope. Some inverters don't put out a true sine wave, but rather a modified sine wave (sometimes even a "square" sine wave), and this could be the basis for the problem. I have seen solar installations with optimization filters that had to do with the quality of the inverter output, so you could contact your customer's solar installer to see what they know about this issue. (Point of clarification: In my former day job I was an electric metering systems technician for our local utility, and have visited thousands of solar installations. I'm now retired.)

Why not try a table saw?

Oh yea. The adhesive is "repositionable" so it does not have that much tack. Pulls right off. I have been using this method for several years.

I'm not sure that this will work for your needs, but I cut leather with a laser so I need for it to lay flat during the process. So I purchased some stencil board (a very thin, hard type of cardboard) from a local art supply store, and sprayed the surface with "repositionable" adhesive, then pressed the leather onto the adhesive.

Found this link that you might find helpful: http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/76632-standard-sizes-for-making-belts/?tab=comments#comment-506249 Also, this PDF. Dress Belts size chart.pdf

Like TomSmith, I use a battery powered "thread zapper." Am very happy with the results, especially that the ends of the thread do not fray.

So does Amazon...

My two favorite suppliers are Maverick Leather in Bend, Oregon and The Hide House in Napa, California. You should have pretty good luck with either one. http://maverickleathercompany.com/ https://hidehouse.com/

Thanks for the lesson.

Any updates to this adventure in laser cutting and engraving? I've been on the edge of my seat waiting to see something happen!

Not knowing what the nature of the "dirt" might be, and since you can scrape at least some of it off with your fingernail, why don't you try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I've known people who have used it to clean leather successfully.

It came close, but we made it through OK. Thanks for your concerns.

You 'da man. Very nice work for your first real project as a grownup.

I'd like to try that too.

This is because chrome tanned leather does not absorb water; it's tendency is to repel water.

This one worked for me... decent price, good quality, easy operation. https://www.campbell-randall.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=press&product_id=928

I'm finding this post very inspiring...

Here's a link I found online, listing the shows referenced above and more, including international shows: https://www.fineleatherworking.com/blog/the-big-list-of-leather-trade-shows/

Not knowing where you are located, I'm not sure this will be much help, but the Hide House in Napa, California is a great place to find a variety of upholstery leather. Wide selection of colors and types of leather.

I just love all of the comments about this being an ancient craft, yet we use the internet instead of carrier pigeons to communicate with each other. How far back do we need to go in order to honor our tradition? Electricity has been available for 100 years, so why not use a labor / effort saving electric mallet? The only one inconvenienced is the leather worker whose power goes out.

I frequented Maverick Leather Company (were in Petaluma, CA... now in Bend, OR). Wonderful people, good product line (Horween CXL, more). 877/845-0080. www.maverickleathercompany.com Now I shop at the Hide House in Napa, CA. Fantastic selection of leather, great customer service. 800/453-2847. www.hidehouse.com

Might try leaving the lid off for 2-3 days.

You can purchase some of those patterns as PDFs here: http://www.lzpattern.com/Leather-wallet-patterns

I own a 100 watt Chinese laser cutter, and use it successfully for engraving and cutting leather. You might find the smaller 40 watt unit not worth the trouble. Plus the work area on the 40 watt really puts a limit what you can do. I would take 480Volt's advice and see if you can rent a laser cutter (maybe at a "maker-space" if you have one nearby). There is a fairly steep learning curve to the software (I use Adobe Illustrator), and there almost always seems to be some technical issue with the files when marrying my designs to the laser cutter's software. The thing that I've learned in doing this for the past year is that even when leathers are the same weight, they can certainly have a varied response to the laser beam (cowhide, bullhide, buffalo; chromexcel, veg tan; stuffed leather, etc.). Some of these materials take several passes to make the cut.