The merits of quick casing. Or how to start a fight with Leather workers :)

[immiketoo]

I wouldn't use a sponge to add more moisture once you've started carving, as it tends to go too deep and spread the swivel knife cuts.

[fredk]

I use a sponge, as

a/ It can be guaranteed I have a clean one handy

b/ I can squeeze it out easier

c/ I only dab it on the leather to apply water, I don't wipe it or swipe it around

[JRLeather2]

I use a spray bottle unless I am wet molding...I also keep a hair dryer plugged in by my bench If it takes to long to get where I want it...

Edited June 4, 2018 by JRLeather2

[immiketoo]

Thats actually a good idea about the hair dryer.  Might have to give that a try sometime.

 

[BDAZ]

Currently 5% humidity in my workshop so I am constantly spritzing as I carve.

 

Bob

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

17 hours ago, BDAZ said:

Currently 5% humidity in my workshop so I am constantly spritzing as I carve.

 

Bob

I didn't know 5% humidity was even possible!  I run dehumidifiers more months out of the year than not.  Two or 3 days of 80 and 90 degree temps with humidity in the 60% range, and without dehumidifiers, I have a huge problem in the shop.

[BDAZ]

Early summer in Arizona. 107 outside and 7% and inside cooler and dryer. I have converted a bathroom and shower to a humidor with a humidifier made from a 5 gallon pail, fountain pump, computer fan, hooked up to the shower head which keeps the bathroom at exactly 60% where I store leather and musical instruments. Generally wet molded items are bone dry and rock hard in an hour. Of course casing and carving requires lots of ongoing moisture.

Bob

[YinTx]

1 hour ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

I didn't know 5% humidity was even possible!  I run dehumidifiers more months out of the year than not.  Two or 3 days of 80 and 90 degree temps with humidity in the 60% range, and without dehumidifiers, I have a huge problem in the shop.

 

6 minutes ago, BDAZ said:

keeps the bathroom at exactly 60% where I store leather

Ok, I'm confused. One person has problems at 60%, another stores stuff at 60% humidity.  I would think mold would be an issue at that range?  What other problems do you get?  I was quick casing, and put just one spray too much and had to wait nearly 2 days for the leather to come back running refrigerated air (which helps dry the air) here on the coast.

YinTx

[fredk]

Summer, Northern Ireland, today, my area; 17 - 18 degrees C,  [63 F] ,  77% humidity - and this is one of our hottest days!!

It takes days for leather wetted for carving to dry, it takes weeks for wet moulded items to fully dry out on the mould - both times; unless mildly warm air is circulated over and around them. Big problem keeping mold from growing on the wet leather. I've tried a de-hum machine but they just can't cope

I've been varnishing some wood with acrylic water based varnish - supposed to take 1 hour to dry - taking at least 4 to get touch dry, overnight / 8 hours between coats.

[BDAZ]

7 minutes ago, fredk said:

Summer, Northern Ireland, today, my area; 17 - 18 degrees C,  [63 F] ,  77% humidity - and this is one of our hottest days!!

It takes days for leather wetted for carving to dry, it takes weeks for wet moulded items to fully dry out on the mould - both times; unless mildly warm air is circulated over and around them. Big problem keeping mold from growing on the wet leather. I've tried a de-hum machine but they just can't cope

I've been varnishing some wood with acrylic water based varnish - supposed to take 1 hour to dry - taking at least 4 to get touch dry, overnight / 8 hours between coats.

Just received a post from musician friends at an outdoor session in Liscannor Sunday. All wearing Sunglasses! I didn't know they sold them in Ireland! I have had black leather wet molded items reach 71C while drying in the sun. As for mold, the spores have to be in the air before they can germinate on the leather, and here in Arizona, they don't survive unless there is a constantly damp area, like a leaking toilet.

many of the homes here don't have A/C but instead use a swamp cooler, essentially a large fan blowing through a wet pad and then into the house. The evaporation cools the air 25F when it is hot an dry and is much cheaper than A/C. However, later in the year, when the monsoons move up from Mexico, they are less effective as the temperature drops and humidity climbs to 30-40%.

Bob