Kristina

Hi Pillpusher, I cut loads of leather with a laser and have been doing so since 2011. I mainly cut small pieces; I'm a jewelry designer. At our maker space, we have a 45-watt laser and it can effectively cut up to a 6-7 oz veg tan hide. Before I laser cut the veg tan, I soak it in water which helps it lay flat and also helps with reducing burning and charring. Instead of beveling the edges of my piece with a bevelling tool, I wait until it's dry and use a sanding drum on my flex shaft. Since the edges are a bit "crispy" from the laser, I also sand the entire edge a little bit to rough up the fibers; this makes it so that when I burnish the edges with my burnishing tool, there's a bit more to burnish and I get a nice rounded edge. You can see the edges in the photo I attached. There's definitely a smell when the laser cuts the leather, but I and everyone else at my maker space have gotten used to it since there are loads of others cutting leather too. I've tried all kinds of leather but the ones I've had the most success with are veg tanned, deer, elk, pig, goat, and suede - leather that typically hasn't been treated with any waxes. I will say that when I cut my suede pieces, I have to clean the edges very well since the charring will transfer to garments. I'm assuming you've already learned a ton since your original entry was back in 2016. Cheers!

Do you have any thoughts about how much dye will be removed from the leather piece if I dye the leather first (with Tandy Professional Eco-Flo Water Stain), dry, then soak in ammonia/water solution?

Hey thanks for your input. I JUST got a Paasche H-SET Single-Action Siphon Feed Airbrush Set. It was recommended to me by a family member who is a leatherworker. I'll give your ratio recommendation a try. I, too, am using it on veg tanned leather.

I have a lot of success with this product. I apply it in the traditional way and am wanting to explore using it with a spray gun. I am wondering if anyone has a recommended ratio of water to stain when using a spray gun? I am looking to use a siphon-feed detail spray gun. Thanks for any feedback!