Casing Leather

[Sjm1027]

Just wondering how you all wet your leather. Sponge or spray bottle. I read you have to wait until it comes back to the original color but how do you know when to re-wet... Can someone help with that please

Thanks

[ClayB]

Just wondering how you all wet your leather. Sponge or spray bottle. I read you have to wait until it comes back to the original color but how do you know when to re-wet... Can someone help with that please

Thanks

There are lot of ways to wet (case) your leather. The amount of moisture can depend on the quality of leather. I have found that some of the leather in Tandy kits dries out really quickly and you have to add more often than leather like Herman Oak. There are a couple threads on the form about casing you might want to read through. Just do a search for casing.

http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...=1057&hl=casing

http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...=1357&hl=casing

[Rawhide]

A short answer to your question. When you wet the leather for the first time, wet the back then wet the front and pay attention to how quickly the leather soaks up the water. I wet it let is soak in, then wet it again (just the front, I only wet the back once). Usually the second coat of water is enough. I can tell because the leather doesn't soak up water as fast.

If you really want to do it right, after you wet it, slip the piece in a ziplock overnight. this will let all the fibers swell with water, and you can literally stamp for hours on it.

by the way I use a sponge.

As far as when to re-wet it, (if you don't use the ziplock method), Re wet when the leather feels warm to the touch. I use the back of my hand to touch it. If it's cool, keep stamping if it's warm, wet it.

This does come with experience though.

Edited August 25, 2007 by Rawhide

[Sjm1027]

Yes I noticed that. As a beginner I tend to hash out (Beating a Dead Horse) to many details in my head and make a big deal over nothing...

:deadhorse:

So lately I just say what the heck and just get to it. I am ready to do my first piece, something small... been practicing a little today to get the feel... I got a side of leather to play with so I am in good shape.

PS: I have always wanted to use that Beating a Dead Horse icon... I finally got my chance

Edited August 25, 2007 by Sjm1027