DIY Nubuck?

[Riem]

27 minutes ago, clivel said:

If your trunk is 150 years old, then it most certainly cannot be nubuck, which to the best of my knowledge originated in the 20th century. More likely it is 'split', the bottom layer of leather after the tanned hide is split. This is rougher than either nubuck or suede. Suede is simply buffed split. 

Then there's also the possibility that the nubuck might have been a later addition or attempt at restoration... IMHO, if the wood is solid and does not need the leather for a specific reason, I'd recommend not covering it again... That is, given the fact that I have not seen the piece.

[MagnificentHonky]

@Clive: I appreciate the insight.

Actually, you're last paragraph kinda mirrors what I was saying to my wife, yesterday evening. The article that was linked, a couple of posts above, suggested that Nubuck really wasn't a thing, until the 1930's. So, the notion that the material is actually "split" does make a little more sense. And, my research of trunks of the era indicates a somewhat "slapped-together" method of production, using the cheapest materials and labor available, so split would make sense, in that regard, as well.

@Riem: This trunk is pretty well beat and neglected. Also, it came from a local estate sale.  I see no sign that this thing has ever been apart.  The folks native to my area, had they been inclined to do anything of a restorative nature, it would have been stripped of its covering, slathered in whatever paint was closest, and possibly had some metal handles bolted to it. That's just how those folks operate. As it is, until whoever owned it died, that thing probably didn't see daylight for six decades.

At any rate, that leather material with its designs burned into it, is rather unique. My wife thinks that it's great, so it must be duplicated.  And, too, I want to restore the thing to a period-correct appearance.  Bare wood (or painted, or varnished) would not be period correct. When new, they all had some sort of covering. A cheap option would have been something akin to wall paper.  Leather was a popular choice, though sueded leather was rare, apparently. The other option was a metal-clad trunk. From what I've seen, the metal cladding was similar to tin ceilings; though I imagine that a very plain and utilitarian metal clad trunk was also available.

I think that Clive is right; the leather material is a split.

When I get home in a few weeks, I may start another thread on the trunk, and include some pictures.

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On a side note, I ordered a large leather tool kit, a pyrography kit, and a 5lb bag of medium-large leather scraps, today.  So, some fun awaits, when I arrive home. (Feel like a 5 year old awaiting Christmas, I do, lol)

[bikermutt07]

It may not be of much help, but there is a company in New England that supports the trunk folks with hardware and such.

https://www.brettunsvillage.com/

I have never dealt with them though.

[MagnificentHonky]

Actually, lol, I just placed an order with Brettuns Village. I stumbled upon them, in my initial trunk research, and browsing the rest of their site is what kind of sparked my interest in leather.

Once I've recieved my order, and had a chance to use the stuff, I'll post an opinion.  I did send them an email in regard to trunk specific topics; they were informative in their response, so I figured that I'd spend a little money with them.

Thank you for the link.

[johnv474]

Based on my experience, I would say that a person can take a smooth grain leather and create a nubuck-like nap with a belt sander.  I have sanded leather with everything from 24 grit to 4000 grit.  I'd say nubuck is somewhere in the 100 to 300 grit range, and probably on the lower end of that range.

 

They might actually use somethibg abrasive but not a sandpaper, such as a spinning sanding drum covered in (oh, I don't know)... nylon canvas, for example.

 

Edited August 11, 2019 by johnv474

[BrokenArrow]

I ran a test last night with 220 grit sandpaper on vegetable tanned leather (hand sanding). I was very pleased with the results and will be using this method on a nubuck handbag I'm building. Hope this helps - it's not hard, but it is tedious. If you have more time than money, this is a suitable method to create nubuck with veg tan leather. I've not tried it on chrome tanned leather yet.

[MagnificentHonky]

Good to know.  It seems, to me, that sanding smaller pieces would be preferable on projects that don't call for a lot of Nubuck or sueded material; when ordering a larger quantity, and having to wait for it to show up, just wouldn't justify the time or expense.  

I am delighted, in any case, to have a starting point.  Now, I just need the time to play with it.

Thank you to everyone who provided input; it is much appreciated.