Assistance Needed : For Dyeing

[Jors]

I am hereby humbly ask for assistance on daubers to colour leather (I think daubers are also a kind of a tool, although expendable).

I am living in Cape Town South Africa and daubers are not sold in our leather supply shops, but I would like to make my own.

I just need a close-up photograph of the wool tip of the dauber. I will then attempt to make my own.

If I succeed or get acceptable results I will make a tutorial on how to twist the wire around sheep skin.

I have searched on Internet for tutorials but could not found anything.

Currently I am using Al Stohlman's method by pinching a piece of foam in a clothes peg or by holding cotton wool in my hand (covered by a plastic bag or a glove).

I see Al recommended a piece of thick felt, but that is not readily available or way-out too expensive.

Other suggestions will also be welcome.

I have thought about twisting wire / or tying wool (without skin) the same way than fly tying, bit I don't know what a dauber's tip look like.

[benlilly1]

I think you're reinventing the wheel...it's not cost prohibitive either. Just my opinion.

[Jors]

I think you're reinventing the wheel...it's not cost prohibitive either. Just my opinion.

I agree with you, but I would like to use them. The problem is they are not available at all in my country. To import is too expensive.

For R200-00 ($30-00) I rather make five tools myself than buying one.

[benlilly1]

It sounds like the tying method would be easier to achieve. I only use daubers for the edges so I don't use many. My main material for dying is old cotton t-shirts or the wool cuttings. Good luck on coming up with a way to make them.

I agree with you, but I would like to use them. The problem is they are not available at all in my country. To import is too expensive.

For R200-00 ($30-00) I rather make five tools myself than buying one.

[HellfireJack]

I would just purchase a pair of clamping forceps like these

http://www.amazon.com/Forceps-Standard-Clamp-Needle-Tweezers/dp/B0012O59EA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1342281290&sr=8-4&keywords=forceps+clamp

and then buy some cotton balls like these.

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Cotton-Balls-Jumbo-Size/dp/B004JYLHGO/ref=sr_1_4?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1342281321&sr=1-4

Instant dauber.

[TwinOaks]

cotton balls wouldn't be a good choice as they tend to shed fibers easily. While that may not be an issue with dye, it WILL be an issue with finishes. The Wool daubers also have that problem, but not quite as bad.

For my two cents worth, I suggest looking into an inexpensive spray rig. Airbrushes provide a very even coat, and you can vary the hue intensity with little or no waste.

[Jors]

HellfireJack:

You have me thinking (in overdrive)

TwinOaks: I am thinking on buying an airbrush set in the future.

[Sylvia]

I think the issue with cotton balls could be addressed by wrapping the cotton with a piece of woven cotton fabric. Before clamping in the forcep

Jors, if you can get some wool that is sheared from the sheep, making felt is very easy.. It's just a matter of carding, wetting, soaping and agitating the wool until it felts. Here's a quick tutorial. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Felt

If you can make several felted balls, it should be a simple matter of poking a fairly heavy wire with a hooked end through the ball, catching the hook and the long part of the wire in the ball of the wool, then clamping it down with pliers. Or you could use those forceps that Jack suggested or an Alligator Clip

I found a used dauber that I had sitting around... and cut all the wool off. It seems the manufacturer makes almost a cork screw shape to hold the wool on. I had to pry the metal apart some to get the last bits of wool out... but this picture should give you the idea.

Edited July 14, 2012 by Sylvia

[shtoink]

I know that Harbor Freight has a cheap double action airbrush kit that works reasonably well for the price. The one that I am thinking of comes in a kit with or without a compressor and has a sizable suction feed jar. I was able to pick one up without the pump for around $15 on sale. Oddly, I have not seen extra jars available separately, so a cleanup is required between liquids being sprayed.

I can't speak for availability in your local area, but they do have an online store. They regularly have sales and coupons for bigger discounts. I know there are far better air brushes available, but if you are just getting started an are on a budget, it's hard to beat. The only concern that comes to mind is the issue of solvents. There are four o-rings on the this airbrush, but only one that will come into contact with the fluids being sprayed. I doubt that it's solvent resistant and will need to be replaced with one that is. Fortunately, it's small, not too critical in size, and *should* be easy to find.

Of course, this is all dependent on the ability to even be able to get any of this in your area.

[Jors]

I have bought a few scraps of sheep skin and used it in moderate sizes as is to dye. Works like a charm.

[Leerwerker]

Johan, You can order them online - I think they are channeled through Woodheads.

(Jy is mos in die Kaap, is jy nie!?)

Look at:

http://www.tandyleather.co.za/p-1091-3445-00-wool-daubers-regular-1-25-cm-10-per-pk-upc-0098834340508.aspx