New to leather craft - Glues, Colors and Finishers

[Columbiar]

Hi all 

Been reading this forum for a while and the info here has helped me to get the tools I need to get started trying to make holsters.  No tooling or carving yet.

Im down to figuring out what glue, coloring, and finisher to pick up. Any suggestions for a beginner?  So many different options......

[JLSleather]

If you want straight forward and simple, then I'd get Fiebing's dyes and reducer for color, renia glue (barge is very good, at the cost of brain cells), and finish with diluted resolene (dilute with pure water).

 

[Columbiar]

1 hour ago, JLSleather said:

If you want straight forward and simple, then I'd get Fiebing's dyes and reducer for color, renia glue (barge is very good, at the cost of brain cells), and finish with diluted resolene (dilute with pure water).

Thanks! For the Fiebings dye, would you go for the oil dye or one of the others?

1 hour ago, JLSleather said:

 

 

[JLSleather]

Either way. I have some of both. Now that the oil dyes are becoming available in more colors (they weren't always) i do use 'em.  

[Brianm77]

I have been using weldwood.  I know some of the seasoned guys on here don't like it.  But I have to say, I had to take a piece apart the other day and I almost could not salvage the half I wanted to keep. I have had pretty good luck. Maybe someone can say why you shouldn't use it.  But it is readily available from the hardware store and has worked well for me. By the way get some stainless spatulas or I have seen guys use a piece of a credit card to spread with.  It is easily cleaned up with a little mineral spirits and a paper towel. 

[JD62]

get the weldwood its so cheep if you don't like it just leave the top off {out doors} and toss it in the trash when its hard. But I bet you'll like it !

[Columbiar]

How do you apply the glue from a smaller container without a glue holder with a brush? Cheap foam paint brush?

[bikermutt07]

55 minutes ago, Columbiar said:

How do you apply the glue from a smaller container without a glue holder with a brush? Cheap foam paint brush?

 Get you some cheap art brushes. A little blue tape never hurt a clean line either. I found on laminating bracelets that wax paper comes in handy as well. I will be using it for belts too.

[Brianm77]

I found a set of these for like $6 at hobby lobby with the model car stuff. I did not like the crappy brush that came on the little weldwood bottle.  They work great. A dab of paint thinner or mineral sprits on a paper towel and they come clean even after several days.  Cheap brushes I have always been afraid that the brush will come apart. 

Hope that helps. 

[Brianm77]

I have also seen guys use a pice of an old credit card.  I have been looking for some that are aluminum or plastic, so they won't stick to a magnet. May wind up cutting up an old card myself.