a slight problem with bagging my leather

[zman7458]

I've always just spritzed my leather for tooling, but I decided to try bagging it after reading about it here on another thread. everything went well on my first session, but when I rebagged my project for tooling again the next day I noticed that all of my shading from my tooling the day before was gone. so does this mean that you can only bag your leather once and for the rest you just spritz like normal or am I hissing some important step? I was taking picturesalong the way, butI panicked when my shading had disappeared and in my attempts to correct the problem I ruined the project. any suggestionx?

[LarryB]

I did the same as you once and yes the leather looses alot of the tooling. So now I only do it once and spray it lightly as I tool it, when needed. I have covered it at my desk for the next day but don't do it to much and it does not loose near as much. Hope this helps. Maybe some of the others can help to because I only did this once and didn't do it again because of what you said happened.

[pete]

Shouldn't have happened. IF you cased it properly at first and the leather was really ready to tool AND if you were shading properly(deep) then it should have burnished enough that it wouldn't disappear.

Let it almost dry out before tooling and if you have to wet it again then lightly sponge the back and put into a bag

Zip it shut and maybe put a book on it. If done correctly you should be able to let it sit for 2-3 days in a pinch.

pete

[Regis]

I agree with Pete, it should not have happened. I often take 3-4 or more days to finish and I put back in bag when not working on the peice. Never had the problem you describe. I do spray occasionally while I'm working and lightly before putting in bag if I'm leaving overnight. I've used plain water and water with procarve. I do keep it in cool area, usuall below 72 degrees. Other than that, nothing special.

Regis

Edited March 22, 2008 by Regis

[tonyc1]

Shouldn't have happened. IF you cased it properly at first and the leather was really ready to tool AND if you were shading properly(deep) then it should have burnished enough that it wouldn't disappear.

Let it almost dry out before tooling and if you have to wet it again then lightly sponge the back and put into a bag

Zip it shut and maybe put a book on it. If done correctly you should be able to let it sit for 2-3 days in a pinch.

pete

Hi Pete, I know this is off track but I watched our news program and saw that you are getting plenty of rain in your state. Pretty bad, eh?

[zman7458]

thanks for the tips. I use a fairly heavy strike while tooling and I had just finished spooning all the bevels smooth and was pleased with the deep dark even color of the shading. the bevels held their depth fairly well, but the color was totally gone. perhaps the leather was a little on the damp side when I started, but it dried enough (leather warm and getting tool bounce) that I had to dampen it a bit during the two/threee hour session. I'm using tandy's premium veg 7-8 oz. and would think it should be of fair quality. I had done a smaller purely test piece the day before and it held its color nicely. I would take a pic to show you, but since I'm going to be doing this for a black bike with all black and chrome trim, I've already died them dark. ah well it's a learning experience. I'll try this again and post pics this time. thanks again for the help.

phil

[pete]

Hi Pete, I know this is off track but I watched our news program and saw that you are getting plenty of rain in your state. Pretty bad, eh?

Thanks so much for your concern! I have been dodging bullets for the past few weeks. The tornado was 5 miles to the west and this rain didn't affect my area even though I'm only 2 miles from town and only 10 minutes from that house that went under the bridge in Cotter.

Dry and safe so far

thanks again my friend

pete

[pete]

phil

If the leather was"warm" then it was too dry! It should feel slightly cool but not wet.

If you are going to case it you have to do more than "spray and tool". Either really wet both sides and wait for it to return to color(BUT STILL COOL TO YOUR CHEEK) or you can take a sponge to the grain and keep slopping on the water until it won't take anymore. Don't wring out the sponge-either before applying OR ONTO THE LEATHER.Just get it wet and keep applying it.

Some folks lay the leather on folded towels to catch the run-off. That's how much you need to wet it initially.

pete

[Duke]

pete is exactly right. you want to wet the leather and then let it return to its original color but still feel cool to the touch. if the leather starts feeling warm, or at room temp, re wet itif your swivel knife starts to drag in it, check the moisture content, and then strop your blade. good luck

[zman7458]

phil

If the leather was"warm" then it was too dry!

yep, thats when I would wet it a bit, but thats how Iknow that at some point while I was tooling the leather had to be perfect for tooling if I did indeed start with the leather a bit damp.

[zman7458]

Let it almost dry out before tooling and if you have to wet it again then lightly sponge the back and put into a bagZip it shut and maybe put a book on it. If done correctly you should be able to let it sit for 2-3 days in a pinch.pete

you mean when I'm done for the day. not while tooling correct? I wet the front a bit if the leather dries out while I'm working it.

I agree with Pete, it should not have happened. I often take 3-4 or more days to finish and I put back in bag when not working on the peice. Never had the problem you describe. I do spray occasionally while I'm working and lightly before putting in bag if I'm leaving overnight. I've used plain water and water with procarve. I do keep it in cool area, usuall below 72 degrees. Other than that, nothing special.Regis

I agree, I must have done something wrong and just didn't catch it. I'll have to pay closer attention this next one.

[TwinOaks]

I'm glad others have chimed in with suggestions for storing the leather. I have a much simpler solution- Work at break-neck speed, develop insomnia, and just work the piece until you're done...straight through, with naught but a smoke break here and there :D

It's what I do (although I think I may have just given away the secret to the one day turn around on the monthly figure carving...) and it certainly allays the problems with storing leather.

Good luck,

Mike

P.S. Don't leave leather laying out if you own cats.:angry:

[zman7458]

I have a much simpler solution- Work at break-neck speed, develop insomnia, and just work the piece until you're done...straight through, with naught but a smoke break here and there :D

Good luck,

Mike

P.S. Don't leave leather laying out if you own cats. :angry:

lol, yeah I worked like that when I was a youngster, but nowadays I work when the spirit moves me :D

and yeah I have 2 and a dat (dog the size of a cat), but so far I've been lucky and no incidents to report as yet.

[LarryB]

I'm glad others have chimed in with suggestions for storing the leather. I have a much simpler solution- Work at break-neck speed, develop insomnia, and just work the piece until you're done...straight through, with naught but a smoke break here and there :D

It's what I do (although I think I may have just given away the secret to the one day turn around on the monthly figure carving...) and it certainly allays the problems with storing leather.

Good luck,

Mike

P.S. Don't leave leather laying out if you own cats.:angry:

Boy did you say this right. lol You had me grinning while reading this. We have two cats and they love to TEST THE LEATHER. lol And your right about working and getting as much as you can done, Thats the way I do now.