Thinning Barge And Using A Glue Pot

[Art]

When I first started (you know, when dinosaurs roamed) I used Barge in the tube. Thick and stringy and hard to use. I asked the local cobbler what he used and was it thick and hard to use. He turned me on to Master and introduced me to thinner (Master of course). So I've been a Master fan for a long time. Their Rubber cement (Petronio #8) and thinner works great too. Your local shoe finders will almost always have these in stock. Southern is a good national supplier with a lot of warehouses.

When thinning contact cement, it is not a particularly exact science. Put some thinner in and shake up, if the viscosity is right ok, if not add more. If you add too much, it will not ruin it, it will just be easier to apply. When applying, apply and let dry, if it is shiny, you can stick together, if dull, apply another coat and wait till it drys and complete the same routine. If you follow this procedure, you will always have enough adhesive, no matter how thin you have made it.

Art

[DoubleC]

Art, I watched a video when i started making guitar straps, don't use a template. The guy used 'shoe glue.' so when I went to SLC I ran a search for shoe glue and ended up with barge. It's in a tube, and it strings, puddles, can't wipe it off it it gets some where you don't want it without it looking dull in that area. We don't HAVE any local cobblers here that I know of so I didn't have anyone to ask. We have two places listed under leather, a repair shop, and 'Leather and Lace' and I was told laughingly they probably wouldn't have any use for my products.

So the name is Masters for the glue AND thinner? I wanted to get one of those plastic bottles with the brush to use but knew it would never work for this tube of barge. If i thinned it I guess it would but I'd rather use something else, I just really don't like the stuff. Cheryl

[Art]

Hi Cheryl,

Kevin at SLC also has Master contact and thinner, he also has brush bottles for contact cement.

Art

[robertmeco]

I Have used Barge since junior high school ( know known as middle school )I never had any problems with it here is a link to bottle and brush I use also mix thinner in the bottloe

http://www.silineandjohnson.com/Dispensers/dispensers.html

PS they also have different sice brushes to use in the bottle

Edited July 22, 2012 by robertmeco

[DoubleC]

Yeah lots of people I know used barge in Jr. high, but they didn't glue anything with it :-). Seriously, thanks for the link but SLC has these. Cheryl

[robertmeco]

I did and still use the Barge tandy also sells these bottles but they are cheeper here

[DoubleC]

I get a wholesale discount at SLC plus it's cheaper to have one place ship everything. Cheryl

[robertmeco]

I was just trying to help no harm ment

[DoubleC]

And no harm done Robert, I appreciate it. Cheryl

[toasty1435]

Wow, these are all good tips. Has anyone ever just thinned barge with acetone or denatured alcohol? Is that the same stuff as Barge thinner? Does anyone have a recommendation for something like a squeeze bottle for Barge? I like the idea of being able to draw a fine line with it as I do a lot of book covers and straps where I need a thin bead of glue.