When to use and when not to use adhesive?

[kyrrk]

I've been in leather industry for more than a year, I still have a lot to learn.

I was just wondering, most of the tutorial I have watched, put contact cement before they attach piece 1 to piece 2. Then some video, only put needles on some holes before stitching, I tried to ask the craftsman but just told me that it didn't need to be glued. But why not?

 

Thank you for taking time. 

[garypl]

I normally use contact cement to hold two pieces of leather in place before I sew them together - keeps pieces from moving around while sewing and also provides some extra strength.

If I am hand stitching a pouch I often do not cement the pieces - this allows me to make small adjustments while I am stitching.  This shell holder is saddle stitched without any adhesive.

Gary

Edited May 20, 2018 by garypl

[kyrrk]

6 minutes ago, garypl said:

I normally use contact cement to hold two pieces of leather in place before I sew them together - keeps pieces from moving around while sewing and also provides some extra strength.

If I am hand stitching a pouch I often do not cement the pieces - this allows me to make small adjustments while I am stitching.  This shell holder is saddle stitched without any adhesive.

Gary

Ok I get the point. Does that mean, it is up to the maker whether to put adhesive? 

[Mattsbagger]

3 minutes ago, kyrrk said:

Ok I get the point. Does that mean, it is up to the maker whether to put adhesive? 

Yes. I prefer glue as easier to stitch and get better edges.

[garypl]

8 minutes ago, Mattsbagger said:

Yes. I prefer glue as easier to stitch and get better edges.

I agree with Mattsbagger - if you want seamless edges it is better to glue.

 

[Aven]

13 minutes ago, kyrrk said:

Ok I get the point. Does that mean, it is up to the maker whether to put adhesive? 

It's all up to you.  They are your creations in your style. 

If you can sew it without it moving, then you don't need glue to hold it in place while you sew.  But gluing it may help your edges look neater when you finish them.

 

[chrisash]

Hi

When to use Impact Glue like Evo Stick and when to use cement

Cement seems to be quite strong and quick drying

[kyrrk]

Yes I also prefer glue. So I noticed on the video I watched, because it has holes punched already thats why he did not glue it. So it can be adjusted. 

Thank you all for taking time to respond

[BDAZ]

I gave up using almost all glue a couple of years ago. I do production work of 10 to 20 pieces at a time. I make an instrument case that is approx 3" x 20" and I would often get glue on the edges or smeared on the grain side. If I had to line the cases with suede, I used a spray adhesive outside and that was also a mess, and then when windy everything stuck together. First for holding top to bottom for stitching I use double sided tape from Tandy, although there are other, better available on Amazon. You apply to the edge of one piece and then you can remove the release paper as you position the second on top. Some of my cases go a yard long so this is a useful feature. If I am lining with fabric, I use acetone to clean the edges of the fabric to promote adhesion of the tape.

Another trick is I use HeatnBond to laminate linings to heavier leather. It's available at Walmart, Michaels and all fabric stores.

I use a t-shirt press (an Iron works well for smaller items)  and have cut my "gluing" time on a case from 1/2 hour to less than a minute. I have not had a single problem with hundreds of items delivered. It hold as well or better than most cements and glues. I still use a drop of glue here and there for touch ups.

Bob

[KingsCountyLeather]

I used the rolls of double sided tape from Tandy and while it is really handy and no mess I found my needles getting caught in the glue while I was hand sewing, I’ve decided not to use it any more because of that. I don’t have as much trouble with contact adhesive and it sticks better.