Which Glue If Using A Sewing Machine?

[Andrew Chee]

Hello all,

I just bought an Artisan Toro 3000. I want to glue two pieces of leather together and then sew it so when I finish the edges, the leather stays together nicely. What's the best glue to use? When I hand sew, I use either Tandy contact cement, leathercraft cement (the white stuff), or rubber cement depending on the project. But with a sewing machine, what kind of glue should I use? Since I don't particularly need strength I would normally use rubber cement but would that gum up the needle on a sewing machine? Thanks in advance.

Andrew

[Rayban]

I use the same thing I did when I was hand stitching everything (Weldwood contact cement) and haven't had a problem....I make sure the glue is good and dry, but I've always did that. I think the only time you may have a problem is if you don't let the glue set up properly. Edited November 18, 2011 by Rayban

[dirtclod]

I use regular Barge and haven't had any problems for 20 plus years.

[Kcinnick]

You don't want rubber cement.

Weldwood or Barge Contact Cement should both form a bond stronger than the leather itself...

[Wizcrafts]

I use double sided leather tape, in 1/2 inch width.

[MartyS]

  On 11/19/2011 at 12:02 AM, Wizcrafts said:

I use double sided leather tape, in 1/2 inch width.

wiz which tape do you use? I just ordered sailrite's sail basting acrylic tape, $8 for 50 yards but it has yet to arrive.

thanks M

[Wizcrafts]

  On 11/22/2011 at 3:01 PM, MartyS said:

wiz which tape do you use? I just ordered sailrite's sail basting acrylic tape, $8 for 50 yards but it has yet to arrive.

thanks M

I use Venture Tape, style TPE15, which we get from Wawak, a wholesale supplier for the cleaning and tailoring trade. The tape is sold in 1/4" and 1/2" widths in large rolls. You may need a business ID and tax number to order from them.

[amuckart]

  On 11/22/2011 at 4:22 PM, Wizcrafts said:

I use Venture Tape, style TPE15, which we get from Wawak, a wholesale supplier for the cleaning and tailoring trade. The tape is sold in 1/4" and 1/2" widths in large rolls. You may need a business ID and tax number to order from them.

Interesting, do you know if, and how, this differs from the seamstick tape sailmakers use?

[Wizcrafts]

  On 11/23/2011 at 7:17 AM, amuckart said:

Interesting, do you know if, and how, this differs from the seamstick tape sailmakers use?

No, I don't know that. All I know is that the supplier has this product labeled as "Leather Tape" by Venture Tape. It works like a charm.

[reddevil76]

Would tape show up on the edges once you get to sanding and burnishing?

[Leatherimages]

Have you used this tape on a patcher?

[Wizcrafts]

  On 11/23/2011 at 11:28 AM, reddevil76 said:

Would tape show up on the edges once you get to sanding and burnishing?

Probably. Place it well inside the edge to be sanded

I have sewn through this tape on every machine I have available. It does gum up the needles.

Edited November 23, 2011 by Wizcrafts

[Wizcrafts]

I would like to expand on my answers to questions asked about my use of Venture Tape.

This is very aggressive double sided tape. It tends to cling to the needles and gum them up. The sticky tape is not too hard to remove by running your fingers down the needle, but watch out for the sharp point at the bottom!

The tape does not go away as easily as glue when you slick the edges. Try to stay far enough away from the edges to allow them to be sanded and slicked without hitting the tape. If possible, lay the tape to one side of the stitch line.

Walking foot, triple feed machines have less trouble from the tape than say a patcher or straight stitch machine has.

I use it on every zipper replacement job, on both sides. It was originally sold to tailor shops as zipper tape. Since then it has been improved to the point that it can hold belts and purses together until you sew them. I love this Venture Tape.

When I have to secure large areas, I use either rubber glue (two coats), or spray adhesive. If I have to secure a narrow area that wants to move, I prefer Barge cement.

Edited November 24, 2011 by Wizcrafts

[Rayban]

  On 11/24/2011 at 11:26 PM, Wizcrafts said:

Try to stay far enough away from the edges to allow them to be sanded and slicked without hitting the tape. If possible, lay the tape to one side of the stitch line.

If you don't run glue ( contact cement) to the edges, you won't get the bond on the layers at the edges to get a good edge. In time the two (or more) layers will separate at the edge and form unwanted lines and gaps, ask me how I know.