Glueing Leather Pieces For Sewing

[angie m]

I make tack. I have tried using barge - it seems to take forever to spread and it gets so goopy in the can. I started using the tandy contact adhesive. It is way easier and seems to work great - but it is a little pricey. Also, after spraying, sometimes some of the glue ends up on the front of my piece. Is there an easier, cheaper way? Any help or suggestions is GREATLY appreciated!!

[leatheroo]

My new best friend is double sided tape!!!!!

[angie m]

My new best friend is double sided tape!!!!!

Are you really using tape? Does that work instead of glue??

[leatheroo]

I only use it to hold things in place that are going to be sewn...not as a permanent glue.

cheers

[dirtclod]

Angie M, you need some thinner to put in your can of barge it make it easier to spread. I use a little plastic coke bottle with hole drilled in the top ( take the piece of plastic out the top ) and spread the glue with a piece of trimmed sheep skin. When your done stick the sheep skin on top of the bottle and it won't dry out.

[Dwight]

Better yet, go to a hardware store, ask for a can of Weldwood Contact Cement. Also get some plumber's "acid brushes".

You brush on a light coating to both sides, . . . let it dry, . . . stick em together, . . . and if you do it right, . . . it ain't gonna move. I have a friend who wears a holster I made several years ago that still doesn't have one stitch in it, . . . still works.

One small warning, . . . do not get it where you do not want it to be seen, . . . dye and other finishes will not penetrate the cement, . . . will NOT !!!!!

It is the best, . . . I use it for belts, sheaths, gun bags, shoe soles, holsters, . . . even use it for cabinet work (which of course it was originally designed for).

Get an account with Harbor Freight, . . . buy your acid brushes from them, . . . a whole bag of them is only a couple bucks.

Edited to add: the contact cement you buy from Tandy's is junk. It isn't fit to carrry the name. They used to sell a fairly decent product, but the stuff they've been pawning off for the last little while is just overpriced junk.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited August 13, 2011 by Dwight

[$$hobby]

+1 on the thinner.

if you decide to try it again, buy a can of thinner.

i have no problem using the brush in the can to spread the glue if its thinned. if you do, give it a day or 2 to settle in. you can also stir in the thinner and then let it sit.

any type of spray adhesive its going to go where it wants. even the barge will too, but you have more control with a brush then a spray. if youre going to use the spray adhesive, i would suggest to mask off the area youre going to spray. that way it should keep the good areas clean. afterall, if you do it right, there should only be a small boarder that isnt glued.

i fix alot of halters and bridles and have no problem with the barge other then the smell.

if you have simple stuff that needs to be held togeather you can try some sewing tape. i got mine from seattle fabrics. its like 2x sided tape and does a good job holding together. the last leather item i used it on was to replace worn out zippers on some chaps. it was strong enough to hold the zipper on the suede until i sewed it togeather.

Edited August 13, 2011 by $$hobby

[angie m]

Thanks!!!