Storing leather

[JamesR]

Hello,

I am trying to find out the proper way to store sides of leather.

At this point I keep my sides rolled up loosely in my workshop. The shop is unheated and sometimes the temperature goes below freezing.

Is this a problem?

Thanks

Jim

[barra]

I would like to have a series of racks so that I can lay out a side flat but space does not allow. I too roll up my sides but I always ensure that when rolled the grain is on the inside for protection from marring and sunlight degredation.. I then stand up the rolled sides in large plastic garbage cans. I can roll up and store a few sides in the one garbage can by rolling them tighter or looser so they store one inside the other. In the very middle I have chap weight leathers rolled up on broomsticks. I then always cover up the cans with an old bedsheet or some similar cover to protect from dust and other crap and corruption.

Barra

[Go2Tex]

I keep the brown paper they are usually shipped in for covering to protect from light damage. I try to leave them as they arrive, boxed, until I'm ready to cut. Once cut, or if opened to inspect them, the remainder is rolled, as it comes, with grain out. If the leather will not be used for a while, and you roll it grain side in, you run the risk of the grain wrinkling.

I've often wondered about temperature control and it must have some effect on the leather over time. Fresh leather does seem to work better. Dry, brittle leather is no fun. duh....

I tell ya what, though. If my shop got down below freezing, it wouldn't just be the leather I was concerned about! Geeze, get a heater, dude!

[barra]

I keep the brown paper they are usually shipped in for covering to protect from light damage. I try to leave them as they arrive, boxed, until I'm ready to cut. Once cut, or if opened to inspect them, the remainder is rolled, as it comes, with grain out. If the leather will not be used for a while, and you roll it grain side in, you run the risk of the grain wrinkling.

Go2tex, I see your point. Most leather I use is English bridle leather and the grain will get scratched at the drop of a hat. Maybe tooling leather works differently.

Barra

[Saddlebag]

When I worked in the restoration of library materials we had numerous leathers which were rolled grain side out and along the grain (head to rump). The rolls were kept in long shallow bunks with the front edge covered with a curtain. The goatskins and unborn calfskins were rolled in acid free paper. If one is using paper to roll leather in it must be acid free as the acid in regular brown paper can deteriorate the leather in time.

[SunshineNative]

Until recently I stored my rolled sides and shoulders, grain side in, standing in a corner. I found wrinkles in the sides as I opened them, and also found discolouration on some pieces. Its hotter than hades down here most of the year, and I only use a window a/c when I am in the garage working so my leather is getting horribly hot, and then the air gets damp during our fall/winter. It may even get really cold on one of our 3 or 4 winter days. What is actually ideal? Should I take over my husbands closet for storage? (surely he won't mind!) Do I concoct a rack system? Vertical or horizontal? Is it safe to buy leather sight unseen or am I the only one who wants to see and touch what I buy?? I do not want to waste my leather!!Thanks for your time and knowledge.

[TroyS]

I built my own workbench. I added a couple of doors to one section to make a cabinet. I have a wire shelf inside that I lay my leather on. It keeps it clean, away from potential DYE-sasters, out of the sun and out of the way...

Troy