Contact Cement?

[Widget]

What do you guys use for contact cement? I've tried the Tandy stuff--way to watery; and the stuff from the Home Depot--way too thick. Is there a specific brand anyone would recommend?

[TomG]

Tandy has a few different contact type cements. The new low VOC has had universally poor performance reports. The original works well. They also carry Barge cement with folks here swear by.

Other pros on the board here swear by Weldwood contact cement from the hardware store. I've use both Weldwood and Tandy's original and not seen a whole lot of difference.

I took the new low VOC stuff back.

[jackd942]

I've always just used Weldwood because I come from a woodworking background. Works well and never had a reason to switch.

[chiefjason]

Weldwood here too. Picked up some Barge in a pinch at Hobby Lobby. Did not like it.

[Tree Reaper]

stuff from the Home Depot--way too thick

You buy the thinner and thin it to your liking.

[Red Cent]

You may have picked up the WeldWood Gel. Yep, I tried it. It has it place but not for relatively small pieces of leather. Get the WeldWood Original. I use the plastic bottles like the Ketchup bottle in a restaurant. Seal it tight and try to keep it full. When the bottle gets low it starts to gel a little also. I use scrap leather to smear the glue.

[Dwight]

I seriously doubt there is anything on the open market that is better than regular Weldwood.

If you are having a problem with it, . . . quite frankly the problem probably is you, . . . not the cement.

I've used it since the late 60's, . . . or thereabouts, . . . and like Jackd, . . . I come from a woodworking background, . . . learned to use it doing kitchen cabinet tops, . . . the only other thing I will use is regular carpenter's glue, . . . but it takes so long to dry, . . . and does not bond as strongly.

May God bless,

Dwight

[JLSleather]

I usualy get Barge by the gallon, but ran out early a while back so I picked up a qt of the "Tanners Bond" stuff at Tandy I was passing by. VERY strong grip, but also VERY strong chemical. I used it all, and it works just fine, but you really need to have a ventilated area to use it in.

[Widget]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. Dwight, never be afraid to tell me I'm doing it wrong, I likely am.

I may have just gotten my bottle of the Weldwood too dry somehow. I bought it and didn't have the occasion to use it for awhile and when I went to glue on a lining the other day is was very thick, like the consistency of honey. Tree, I'll try to get some thinner and give that a go also. JLS, thanks for the heads up on Barge...I work in a small room off my basement that has about 0 ventilation, so it's good to know what products will knock me out!

[Dwight]

Widget, . . . the thinner you want to use is acetone. There may be other things that work, . . . but I can for sure tell you this one does.

I keep a can around for that last two or three ounces in the bottom of the can that always tries to thicken up, . . . a capfull of acetone thins it out and makes it work.

May God bless,

Dwight