Members tparrish Posted July 27, 2011 Members Report Posted July 27, 2011 Is it possible to compress a some what soft leather (flatten) with a weight, or by other means? I have a source for just about the perfect leather for a project but I would really like it a little thinner while being more dense/stiff. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks Quote
Moderator Art Posted July 27, 2011 Moderator Report Posted July 27, 2011 Yes, the tannery has a big press called a rolling jack, they roll the leather through to "jack" it or make it harder through pressing. Soling leather is treated this way to make sole lifts hard so they don't squish (technical term) during use. The alternate method is to "hammer jack" the leather by beating it with (what else?) a beating out hammer. Now keep in mind that the shoe/boot maker starts with 12 iron (about 1/4") sole bend leather to start this process. You might have to be a bit more delicate with a smaller and more fragile cut. I'd find a supplier with a jack. Art Is it possible to compress a some what soft leather (flatten) with a weight, or by other means? I have a source for just about the perfect leather for a project but I would really like it a little thinner while being more dense/stiff. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Mijo Posted July 28, 2011 Members Report Posted July 28, 2011 Yes, the tannery has a big press called a rolling jack, they roll the leather through to "jack" it or make it harder through pressing. Soling leather is treated this way to make sole lifts hard so they don't squish (technical term) during use. The alternate method is to "hammer jack" the leather by beating it with (what else?) a beating out hammer. Now keep in mind that the shoe/boot maker starts with 12 iron (about 1/4") sole bend leather to start this process. You might have to be a bit more delicate with a smaller and more fragile cut. I'd find a supplier with a jack. Art Art - Do you think a rolling jack used to compress the leather for this book mark? It's incredibly thin, extremely stiff and does appear to have a rough side. I'm curious to know how this book mark was made. tparrish - sorry to hijack your thread Quote
Members BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted July 28, 2011 Members Report Posted July 28, 2011 Depending on the size of the leather that you want to compress , your skills, who you know, or what tools you own, you have some options. Pasta roller, as used by a forum member. Vise. Hydraulic press. Find someone with a sheet metal slip roll. A plate with a lot of weight stacked on top of it,car,truck,forklift---don't laugh, I have all of these....... Quote You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.
Members tparrish Posted July 28, 2011 Author Members Report Posted July 28, 2011 Depending on the size of the leather that you want to compress , your skills, who you know, or what tools you own, you have some options. Pasta roller, as used by a forum member. Vise. Hydraulic press. Find someone with a sheet metal slip roll. A plate with a lot of weight stacked on top of it,car,truck,forklift---don't laugh, I have all of these....... Great! Thats exactly what I needed to know and very promising for me. Thanks for the good ideas everyone. Quote
Moderator Art Posted July 28, 2011 Moderator Report Posted July 28, 2011 Probably jacked, it also looks like it might have a pebble texture, and that is pressed in too. You get it wet and press it, as the GunDr says with whatever you have handy. Art Art - Do you think a rolling jack used to compress the leather for this book mark? It's incredibly thin, extremely stiff and does appear to have a rough side. I'm curious to know how this book mark was made. tparrish - sorry to hijack your thread Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Mijo Posted July 28, 2011 Members Report Posted July 28, 2011 Probably jacked, it also looks like it might have a pebble texture, and that is pressed in too. You get it wet and press it, as the GunDr says with whatever you have handy. Art Art - I have a vice already so I'll try it out, but do you think a pasta press will work any better? I'm not familiar with pasta presses but if it's no more effective than a vice I won't bother to pick one up just to try it. Thank you and GunDr for you comments, they were extremely helpful (to me anyway). Quote
Moderator Art Posted July 28, 2011 Moderator Report Posted July 28, 2011 I don't know, I've never tried the Atlas on leather and I have a better brain to do it and face XYL (ham term for Ex Young Lady). Art Art - I have a vice already so I'll try it out, but do you think a pasta press will work any better? I'm not familiar with pasta presses but if it's no more effective than a vice I won't bother to pick one up just to try it. Thank you and GunDr for you comments, they were extremely helpful (to me anyway). Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
KAYAK45 Posted July 28, 2011 Report Posted July 28, 2011 I like the guy who uses two encyclopedia for covers on wet leather and parks his car over night on top! Quote Once believed in GOD and the DOllAR...... Hello God!
Members cem Posted July 29, 2011 Members Report Posted July 29, 2011 I've done the pasta maker thing works well, a vice should be just as good though if you have one with large jaws. Clair Quote
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