how do I make an eyeglass case ?

[Sjm1027]

I have been spending a lot of my time tooling leather but now I am ready to make something simple.

So I have a simple eyeglass case I want to make and have a couple of questions.

I have leather (6oz) seems a little to thick the directions say not to use less than 3 oz and not to use more than 5 oz leather. I have 6 oz leather on hand and I will give it a try anyway.

While reading the directions I came across a few things that weren't clear:

The directions said to rubber cement the tracing film to the leather?? I know that masking tape messes up the leather but rubber cement? Not sure if it will mess up the leather when it's time to dye the leather I would have problems?

So the directions said to wet the leather, then soap the leather, glue the leather and film with rubber cement, then place the tracing film on the wet leather. What is the soap for? What function does the soap do.

Who knew an eye glass case would stir up so many questions?

Thanks,

Steve

[ClayB]

Not a lot of difference between 5 and 6 oz. so I think you're ok there. Can I ask where the rest of the directions come from? I wouldn't rubber cement your tracing film to the carving side of the leather. I think that's gonna cause you lot of problems, especially when it comes time to add a finish. Maybe they are cementing it to the back of the leather to keep it from stretching when you are carving and stamping? Some people add a drop of dish soap to thier casing water. I have heard of people rubbing a bar of ivory soap on the leather too once it is damp. It's supposed to help the knife slide through the leather when you are carving. I have a bar of soap near my bench, but have never gotten around to trying it.

I am looking forward to seeing your project when it's finished.

Clay