xray film for patterns and templates

[Doug C]

I recently picked up some used x-ray film from a veternarian friend of mine and want to use it for templates. How should the film be cleaned before using? I would hate to leave any silver residue on the leather.

Thanks, Doug

[bruce johnson]

Doug,

I would just wipe them with plain water. The silver is already fixed to the film, and ruboff or transfer has never been a problem for me.

Bruce Johnson, DVM

[pete]

Use it for backing your work too. I use it instead of packing tape or cardboard when tooling. Plus I use it for stiffener when making album covers, book covers, picture frames etc.

pea-aire'

[cjbleather]

One word of caution when using un-exposed xray film. The stuff still on the film does come off when wetted. I would only use that film for stiffeners for album covers or whatever. Xray film work great for such use. Exposed or developed xrays can be used for carving/backing stamping without any problems. Carl

[pete]

by the way, Doug. When I make binders/albums, projects that need or could use a bit of stiffener, I cut the xray film to size and glue to the project. I tool and finish it and simply use dividers to measure around the film the amount that I want for sewing or lacing. That way I have a backing, template and stiffener all in one and never remove it from start to finish.

[Doug C]

Thanks for the suggestions and help. I've been using the template material you can purchase at Wal-Mart in the sewing and quilting section. It is hard to cut very acurately so I thought this x-ray film might do the trick.

Doug

[candyleather]

I use photocopy transparent film (I think his name is vinyle, a plastic), is better than xray film or print in paper. Sometimes I print my patterns from my computer to the laser printer in the transparent films and after I trace the pattern on the leather easily.

If you have near from you a printing press or a printing works store they use a similar film to the xray one and within toxic waste. Also there is a transparent or translucent plastic for binding photocopies (is like craftaid plastic with one millimetre thick) which you can made your patterns for to cut the leather pieces.