Question On Adhesives

[tboyce]

Up to now, I've only used solvent based adhesives when gluing leather pieces together but I was thinking of giving water based a try simply because they seem less messy to use and are cheaper.

Is there anyone who has made the switch and likes it better?

Thanks in advance

[Renaissanceman]

Hi Tboyce,

I have used both and have found that the water based don't stand up as well. I use Barge on most pieces.

Hope this helps?

The Renman

[Hi Im Joe]

I did not like the water based adhesives either. They don't hold as firm and they turn into rubber when dry which makes sanding the edges a real bitch.

[tboyce]

My problem is that my workshop is in my unheated garage and my very expensive Barge cement turns into a giant booger at some point during the winter. Does thinner help reclaim this or is it lost?

[JoeSnuffie]

I understand what you mean about the mess but water based haven't held up for me. I use DAP contact cement in the 32 oz container. It costs me about $12 at the hardware store and I pour it into a smaller 4oz glass bottle with a small brush. Since I'm making small items, I use a cotton swab to apply it. Once dry, it wipes off just about any oiled or waxed grain side so as long as I don't make too much of a mess, clean up is easy. You have to remember to scuff up any finished leather or it just won't hold well.

[texback]

Give the glue thinner a try. I have a can of the barge cement from Tandy and it turned really thick and yellow. It was in my house so I know it wasn't due to the cold at least since I've had it. I'm not sure if I bought a can they had sitting at the store for a while or if maybe I left it open to the air for too long. I got a can of glue thinner and just started adding it to the glue a little at a time and mixing it really well until I got it where I thought it should be in thickness and have had no problems with it holding anything I glue with it.

[dirtclod]

I used Barge for years and switched to Weld Wood in the RED can and like it A LOT better. My shop isn't heated except when i'm working. In the last two or three years i used Weld Wood i haven't had it turn into a blob like Barge would and i buy it by the gallon. Never have needed to use any thinner on it either. I have the hardware store order the gallon for me and it's A LOT cheaper than Barge because i don't have to pay the 25 or 30.00 flamable charge that UPS rips you off on and it is a rip off youi can buy 4 quarts of glue or dye and not have to pay the extra charge but you buy one gallon of glue or dye and they stick you with the rip off charge.

Edited May 28, 2014 by dirtclod

[Hi Im Joe]

I used Barge for years and switched to Weld Wood in the RED can and like it A LOT better. My shop isn't heated except when i'm working. In the last two or three years i used Weld Wood i haven't had it turn into a blob like Barge would and i buy it by the gallon. Never have needed to use any thinner on it either. I have the hardware store order the gallon for me and it's A LOT cheaper than Barge because i don't have to pay the 25 or 30.00 flamable charge that UPS rips you off on and it is a rip off youi can buy 4 quarts of glue or dye and not have to pay the extra charge but you buy one gallon of glue or dye and they stick you with the rip off charge.

I second the Weld Wood in the red can. Mine is the gel type stuff and I love it!

[tboyce]

Thanks guys!

[Limon]

any experience with gluing neatsfoot treated leather ? curious for a future project.

thanks in advance

eman

[King's X]

There is a new Italian (?) product that recently came out in a couple of LC&SJ issue. They have water based products in liquid and powder based. I believe that Lisa Sorrell, bootmaker from OK maybe a dealer.

I use wood weld and enjoyed the switch. I haven't used the green label yet.

Good luck

P.S. Eman.....you should have any problem gluing leather that has been treated with Neatsfoot oil.......Unless it has been dunked and not allowed to settle in with appropriate time.

[cgleathercraft]

Green can Weldwood works better than any other water based glue I've used. Same as the others though - I prefer the red can.

[Limon]

thanks KING'S X,

never used neatsfoot oil. yes thats right im a newbie, :/

been reading up on the forum and seems like sheridan style is a road im headed for.

eman

[oltoot]

Heated or not, about a quart of barges thinner for every two gallons of cement makes for better outcomes for me.

[TinkerTailor]

Wow, 2 gallons of Barge cement is a metric boatload of glue for a hobbyist. The info from pro guys is always appreciated, however the total volume of ALL my liquids is less than 2 gallons (minus the growler full of microbrew creation juice...) Granted, if its your profession, that would be a different story. Economy of scale and such...

For the hobbyist, That recipe breaks down to an 8:1 cement-thinner ratio, meaning it should be 4 ounces thinner to the quart, or 125ml to the litre. Do your own math from there.

[niftycurly]

There is a new Italian (?) product that recently came out in a couple of LC&SJ issue. They have water based products in liquid and powder based. I believe that Lisa Sorrell, bootmaker from OK maybe a dealer.

The water based glues Lisa carries are from the Renia Aquilim line from Germany. I just took a leather inlay class with her and had the opportunity to try them out, they're great, totally non toxic and very effective. Not at all like the usual water based adhesives we're used to in the US. Lisa has transitioned to using only these glues for her cowboy boots with the exception of attaching soles because her soles are attached while leather is wet.