damp/wet forming

[McJeep]

I'm pretty sure Ian's tired of me pickin his brain about the sissy bar bag so I'll start a new thread ;0)

How do people go about forming the nice sharp crease like at the rear of the bag? And how to form the front wrap around as well? Do people just do this by hand? Or do I need to make up forms so it can sit over night? Never done it before but thinking it's probably key to getting results like his.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=9857

Sorry for the link, board wouldn't let me post the actual pics

Edited January 30, 2009 by McJeep

[TwinOaks]

Yep, most of that type thing is done by hand. You can use a couple of different tools to help the leather get there, though. Something like a v-groover/ gouge can make 'v' shaped cuts in thicker leather which allow it to fold better.

Practice is the biggie. Nobody ever started a hobby and made a masterpiece on their first try.

[McJeep]

Nobody ever started a hobby and made a masterpiece on their first try.

LOL Oh I don't expect I'll get his results on first kick by any stretch - just trying to hedge my bets ;0)

[Dwight]

McJeep, . . . some of the holster makers like to add a drop or two of liquid soap to their water before they dunk their leather prior to forming. I'm usually in too much of a hurry for that, . . . but the key is to let the leather return to almost the same color as it was dry, . . . then when you form anything on it, . . . it stands a better chance of keeping the formed shape.

You also want to trim your fingernails, . . . you can ruin a good piece of wet leather with one ugly scratch of a fingernail. I hate wearing gloves, . . . so I don't mess with that either during my forming processes.

May God bless,

Dwight

[McJeep]

Will do - thanks muchly :0)

[TwinOaks]

The drop or two of soap is to help break the surface tension of the water..[insert long technical description here]. Basically, it helps the water spread and penetrate better instead of beading on the surface. The same thing can be done by adding a littel Lexol, or using "EZ Carve" solutions, which are commercially available.