Leather Question

[DLT]

hello all' im new to this area, im working on building my self a pool cue case....my friend gave me some thick leather that he had on hand, he makes basic dog collars and harnesses for training dogs... the leather he gave me is dyed leather, my question is that can i tool/carve leather that is already dyed? the leather is about 5 mil or so thick, my other question is where is the best place for me to buy rivets and clasps and what not...im trying to spend minimal amount of money...i already have the internal frame work of the case made, i just need to make the leather outside....if i had the money i would just drop the few hundred on a cue case+ i like to make my own stuff', the guy i got the leather from got it from tandy leather...i have looked around on there site and was wondering if there is better prices else where on hardware and supply's ..

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thanks for any input-

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Rob.M

[Wishful]

Tandy's prices are OK if you can get them on sale - they have their ad online. A few art stores carry Tandy stuff too and sometimes you can get a better deal. Joann's or Micheal's have Tandy stuff.

[TwinOaks]

Some drum dyed leather can be tooled just fine....as long as it's veg tan. If it's very soft/supple, there's a good chance you have chrome tanned leather which is typically NOT toolable. Can you get a pic of the leather to post here?

Resize to 600x800 and post it as an attachment. That way we can see what you have to work with and give more accurate advice.

[DLT]

Some drum dyed leather can be tooled just fine....as long as it's veg tan. If it's very soft/supple, there's a good chance you have chrome tanned leather which is typically NOT toolable. Can you get a pic of the leather to post here?

Resize to 600x800 and post it as an attachment. That way we can see what you have to work with and give more accurate advice.

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thank you for the replies...what is the difference in chrome and veg tan leather? i can get some pictures tomorrow and post them here' im not sure how to size the pics to size because i will be posting them from my smart phone....i do know the leather i have is some stiff stuff' .... am i gonna have problems trying to use this leather on a cue case? i see saddle leather cue cases sell for high dollars....what is saddle leather??? do any of you guys know any cue case makers or have made any cue cases??

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thanks a TON!

Rob.M

[TwinOaks]

There's a tutorial on how to post pics in the Computer Help section, just scroll down on the main forum page and you should see it.

If the leather is stiff, it's probably veg tanned. The difference between the two is the tanning process and the properties imparted to the leather. The result is veg tanned can be moistened and tooled or molded, chrome tanned- not so much. Yes, you can use the leather you have for a case, but it will probably need to be wet molded (or at least very moist) for your project. The 'saddle leather' you see on cases is veg tanned leather that's hot stuffed with tallows and waxes to make it more resistant to the elements. There's also some leather called "latigo" that is used in some tack applications, but it wouldn't be as good to use.

And yes, there are several cue case makers on here, though the one that posts the most about the subject is John Barton. You can do a search (top right of the screen) to find his posts.

[DLT]

I found out today from my friend that leather I have is "latigo" he uses the leather for dog harnesses, he showed me some that have been in use for a long time and they look like they take the abuse well...am I going to have problems wet forming this leather? As for JB cases' I do know him from AZB..great guy' but haven't asked him about cases..that I will do..I went to joann and all they have for quick rivets is a assorted pack of sizes and colors, I will continue my quest'

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Rob.M

[groovytech]

Hobby Lobby has a decent(for an art&crafts chain) selection of tools and supplies such as hardware and dye.

[Johanna]

Real latigo can be "tooled", but it's not ideal for accepting impressions. "Latigo" means drum dyed and stuffed with oils and wax. If you put a bit of water on the leather, does it bead up or does it soak in? Latigo is water resistant (which makes it a good choice for dog collars and cue cases) and vegetable tanned leather (what you use to carve or stamp) is absorbent.

HTH

Johanna

[DLT]

Real latigo can be "tooled", but it's not ideal for accepting impressions. "Latigo" means drum dyed and stuffed with oils and wax. If you put a bit of water on the leather, does it bead up or does it soak in? Latigo is water resistant (which makes it a good choice for dog collars and cue cases) and vegetable tanned leather (what you use to carve or stamp) is absorbent.

HTH

Johanna

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thank you, i will try some water on it and see what happens....one other question' i have a shoulder bad i got in mexico a long time ago that has been sitting in the basement, it has some mildew on it in areas....can it be removed with no harm to the leather? i do believe the should bag is veg leather because it has tooling on it..

i will get pictures of what i have tonight and post em..

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Rob.M

[DLT]

here is a video of what i have..i put some water to the latigo and it beaded up and ran off the leather'

in the video you can see the mildew on the leather shoulder bag that im hoping to remove somehow, im not sure how or if im gonna use the leather from the bag and the other piece of leather i have on to the cue case, but im gonna need a pouch for jump cue handle and pool related tools...

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http://www.youtube.com/user/dontlitethat#p/u/0/Vr39Mp72ThE

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Rob.M

Edited August 2, 2011 by DLT