Wet molding / Prototype Mold

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Hello folks - I am attempting to wet mold a large valet.  This will be my first attempt at something larger than a pack of cigarettes so I'm a little hesitant. 

The dimensions are approximately 6 x 8 x 1.5 high. 

Before I waste perfectly good leather I wanted to run the design across you in an attempt to correct anything that may be an issue.

My main concerns are the corners and the steep slope. 

Thoughts?

 

 

[Rockoboy]

Never having done much wet-moulding, I think the steep slope, rather than a square corner, should make the whole process easier.

[fredk]

You'll have problems with the corners. I think the vertical ones will bulge out awkwardly. Better to have curved corners at all junctions

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21 minutes ago, fredk said:

You'll have problems with the corners. I think the vertical ones will bulge out awkwardly. Better to have curved corners at all junctions

Thanks.  So better to round off all corners?  

[Webicons]

So I took some time to round off the hard corners.  Tomorrow I’ll work on the frame.

Funny, if you told me that I would need to sculpt for leathercraft when I first started, I would have laughed.   

[alpha2]

Yeah, there's a whole lotta stuff that I didn't think I'd need to know when I got into leathercraft. For instance, I've got a 3000 dollar sewing machine on the way. Didn't see THAT coming!!!

Edit, the machine wasn't 3 grand...there was shipping, additional thread, bobbins, etc, etc. etc...

Edited February 1, 2018 by alpha2

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9 hours ago, Rockoboy said:

I think the steep slope, rather than a square corner, should make the whole process easier.

Thanks Rocko - trying to work through this one step by step.  I would think that the slope would make it easier too but leather likes to do its own thing sometimes.  

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54 minutes ago, alpha2 said:

I've got a 3000 dollar sewing machine on the way. Didn't see THAT coming!!

Nice!  You need to post a review when you get it in.  Looking forward to that day when:

1. I have enough work to justify a machine and

2.  Have $3000 banked! 

[Webicons]

Hello folks - Well this is the first pull from the mold.  The mold needs some cleaning up but I’m not disappointed with the tray.  It was made with two 2/4 oz Buttero leather back to back.

I just need to cement them together, trim, stitch, crease and edge paint. 

Note to self: 

    1.    don’t use the PVC board.  It isn’t rigid enough and doesn’t sand well (I had to remake it).

    2.    1.5 inches deep is a bit too much for a tray.   Makes more like a bowl (unless that’s what you want).

    3.     Use more clamps than you think you need.

    4.    Need to seal up the wood with some lacquer.  

The negative mold is pretty warped now.  Will this affect the next use?  What do you guys do with the warp? Any pointers to improve overall?

[fredk]

That looks very nice.

Warped mould? scrap it. Its not worth the heartache and cost of wasted leather if it doesn't do the job properly now