Which Adhesive Is Best

[splitrail]

I am sure this has been discussed in detail before, but I am having issues with the contact cement I am using and would like some help from the pro's.

I was using Barge's Tanners Bond from Tandy. Lately I've noticed it has turned very thick and stretchy, so I assumed the shelf life on it has expired. Too much open air maybe.... it has sticking power but won't seem to hold the two layers of leather together, they are seperating after burnishing.

So I purchased DAP's Weldwood contact cement. But I am finding that after letting is set up properly, glueing and clamping... the next day I can pull the layers apart, I have not tried to burnish yet, that trial is setting up as I type.

Any success stories would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.

[DS STRAPS]

Are you letting the 2 pieces dry before contacting, I noticed the same issue when I would contact the pieces before dry to touch and also was thick and stringy. you can try to use the barge thinner to thin the cement you currently have. That is good to know about the DAP, I was actually considering trying that brand.

[TomG]

I've used Weldwood for some time now. If you apply it properly, it will "pull apart", but that is actually the fibers of the leather ripping out, in my experience.

If it's much thicker than Karo syrup, something is wrong. Old... been frozen.. something.

As for thinning. a couple of long-time woodworkers told me to thin contact cement with the same brand of thinner as the cement. Something about the solvents used between different brands.

I've heard others thinning with Acetone, but never tried it.

[splitrail]

Thank you both for responding. You might be right about the "freezing" on the Barge's I did have it in storage in Canada for a while. I think that can is a goner.

I just performed a burnishing test with the Weldwood and it burnished fine, and has nice flexibility. But it does peel apart with very little effort. I let it set up for a good 20-30 minutes, seemed dry to the touch. I then clamped it for a couple hours, then beveled and burnished, Looks good. Still concerned about it seperating. Wondering if the high humidity and heat here right now is warrenting a longer dry time?

Thanks again for your thinning tip. I do love the consistency of the Weldwood, easy to work with!

[electrathon]

I know it is not real popular but I love Renia in the green can. It is very smooth applying and has incredible hold strength. I have tried many other glues and find it to be the strongest.

[TomG]

Maybe I'm doing it wrong. But I don't let it dry totally. I wait until its a little tacky (about 10 minutes or so), and then press together and clamp overnight.

That being said, if I have really porous or "fluffy" leather, I have been known to apply the cement as a sealer, let it dry for an hour or so, and then apply a second coat and then join when tacky.

[splitrail]

Renia, is that easy to come by?

and

Tom, I hear you on the 2 coats... the first coat seemed to disappear into the leather I am using now.

[electrathon]

Renia, is that easy to come by?

I get it at Oregon Leather. Not sure about other states. It is the glue many cobblers use to glue the soles on the bottom of shoes with, so it has to stick well.

[Busterradar]

I use Weldwood but I leave it for 1-2 hours before I put my 2 pieces of leather together. I don't have any problems with my edges at all. Also a little trick I use is I put the can in hot water for awhile, shake it up then open the can and pour it into clear plastic bottle like you would use for mustard. I find I make less of a mess and can put the glue right where I want it.

[splitrail]

Thank you all for the great advice, patience is what I need.

And I love the tip on warming it up and using an applicator.