Cutting Leather With Laser Questions

[pillpusher]

Hey everyone,

I work in a maker-space and have access to laser cutters. I was planning on making acrylic templates for some of my designs, but I am also wondering about using the laser to cut the leather pieces out directly.

I know that the laser chars the edges but are they still able to be finished and burnished? Is the smell really that bad? I mostly use vegetable tanned leather of Horween Chromexcel, horeside, etc.

Thanks

[thunter9]

LOL

[pillpusher]

thank you for your most helpful reply.

[Colt W Knight]

Kind of a burned dog hair smell. I would think you would want to setup an exhaust fan. If you get veg tan leather hot it will get hard, and too much heat will make it shink/shivel- but I don't think a laser cutter would do that like drying it in an oven. If the char is too bad, you can always sand it away and burnish as normal. I would think edge cote would work great on the slightly charred leather too

[simontuntelder]

Tons of companies are doing it - a lot of them are even adding the stitch holes. It makes sense doing it if you have very intricate patterns or if you're doing great volumes.

I would probably never do it myself. I have too much respect for history and the craft, but if I was all about making money, I would definitely do it.

[nrk]

Hey everyone,

I work in a maker-space and have access to laser cutters. I was planning on making acrylic templates for some of my designs, but I am also wondering about using the laser to cut the leather pieces out directly.

I know that the laser chars the edges but are they still able to be finished and burnished? Is the smell really that bad? I mostly use vegetable tanned leather of Horween Chromexcel, horeside, etc.

Thanks

why do you ask?!

go and do some. at least you will get experience ))

that what i would do if have this chance

don't forget to share results with tons of photos ))))

Edited March 17, 2016 by nrk

[mtroyalguy]

I paid for a laser cutter to cut some intricate edge work on a couple of pieces I did. I was told it smells a bit, but his system was vented already, and took multiple passes. The edges were black and there was a little soot along the edges but the soot wiped off easily. Other than being black (which didn't matter because I was dyeing them black) the edges were no different than hand cut edges. I had no shrinkage or warping.

[Colt W Knight]

Tons of companies are doing it - a lot of them are even adding the stitch holes. It makes sense doing it if you have very intricate patterns or if you're doing great volumes.

I would probably never do it myself. I have too much respect for history and the craft, but if I was all about making money, I would definitely do it.

What is the cut off date for technology for respecting the history of the craft?

[simontuntelder]

What is the cut off date for technology for respecting the history of the craft?

Interesting question and I don't have an answer for it.

I guess it's a personal thing. I've always been into old stuff - like vintage clothes for instance. And I can appreciate goretex, but I prefer waxed cotton.

[electrathon]

What is the cut off date for technology for respecting the history of the craft?

I thought this same thing I understand that the only reason why the old timers did things the old way was because they did not have the tools that we now have.