Low Voc And Holster Making?

[Matt Alsaker]

Does anyone use low VOC products when making holsters? I've been using Fiebings Pro Oil Dye and Tanners Bond Contact Cement. My wife became concerned with the fumes, particularly with the contact cement. I bought some Fiebings Leathercrafters Cement - the white Elmers glue looking stuff. I'm wondering about the long term durability of using this type of glue instead of good old fashioned contact cement. I've never noticed fumes with Pro OIl Dye, but have thought about trying Fiebings Leathercolors (low VOC). Anyone have experience with these products when making holsters? Am I wasting money using them and will I not be happy with the long term durability of the holsters?

[Lobo]

Fiebings Tanners Bond cement is a very good product. I've used it for years for cementing in linings and constructing belts. Excellent adhesion, reasonably long working time (allowing easy adjustment during assembly), dries transluscent so it is just about invisible at edges or exposed areas, remains flexible forever, water soluable for easy clean-up but dries to waterproof. No objectionable odor or vapors, and I've noticed no skin irritation from contact with the stuff.

Tanners Bond is marketed by Tandy's as their Leathercraft Cement, sold in small bottles for hobbyists. I prefer to order the gallon jugs and transfer to smaller bottles for regular use. I usually apply the cement with 1" paint brushes, keeping the brushes in a closed bottle of water between uses, so I don't spend a lot of time cleaning brushes and each one will last for a couple of months in the shop. I buy those at Harbor Freight for about $5.00 per dozen.

Edited May 22, 2012 by Lobo

[steelhawk]

Fiebings Tanners Bond cement is a very good product. I've used it for years for cementing in linings and constructing belts. Excellent adhesion, reasonably long working time (allowing easy adjustment during assembly), dries transluscent so it is just about invisible at edges or exposed areas, remains flexible forever, water soluable for easy clean-up but dries to waterproof. No objectionable odor or vapors, and I've noticed no skin irritation from contact with the stuff.

Tanners Bond is marketed by Tandy's as their Leathercraft Cement, sold in small bottles for hobbyists. I prefer to order the gallon jugs and transfer to smaller bottles for regular use. I usually apply the cement with 1" paint brushes, keeping the brushes in a closed bottle of water between uses, so I don't spend a lot of time cleaning brushes and each one will last for a couple of months in the shop. I buy those at Harbor Freight for about $5.00 per dozen.

I may try the stuff again. You made a similar post last year and my wife is highly sensitive to contact cement fumes, so I tried it on a belt I was making. What a disaster it was. Glue everywhere. I had nothing but trouble trying to remove unwanted, dried glue that got on the grain sides of the leather.

Edited May 22, 2012 by steelhawk