Members JHLeatherwood Posted October 27, 2020 Members Report Posted October 27, 2020 I'm making a whale tale tank bib for my son's Harley, and he has the split tanks with a gap in the middle. I'm using 7-8oz veg tan, and given that it's going to get wet many times, I'd like to put something between the veg tan and the buckskin "liner" I'm using to back it and protect the tank. Springfield and Tandy sell "bag stiffeners" but it looks like they're heavy card stock - which will retain water, and eventually disintegrate. Some folks have suggested "EVA craft foam" but it's very floppy to begin with, and 2-3mm thick besides, so not a good fit for me. What suggestion do y'all have? I do some 3d printing and thought about a 1mm printed sheet of PLA (plastic) that tapers to effectively zero at the edges, but I'd love to have an off-the-shelf option. James Quote
Members Ed in Tx Posted October 27, 2020 Members Report Posted October 27, 2020 Why not try a thin sheet of aluminum between the layers. Just cut the aluminum 3/8" smaller to allow room for stitching. Quote
Members Zonker1972 Posted October 27, 2020 Members Report Posted October 27, 2020 go to the dollar store and get some flexible cutting mats. Quote
Members JHLeatherwood Posted October 28, 2020 Author Members Report Posted October 28, 2020 20 hours ago, Ed in Tx said: Why not try a thin sheet of aluminum between the layers. Just cut the aluminum 3/8" smaller to allow room for stitching. I like this idea - clearly the most rigid solution. Quote
Members TheCyberwolfe Posted March 5, 2021 Members Report Posted March 5, 2021 A little late to the party, but consider Kydex rather than aluminum for the next one. Aluminum may interact with water/gas and leather over time, but Kydex is inert. It also won't dent (not that it would be likely in this application). No affiliation, but this place sells sheets in many varieties: https://www.indexthermoplastics.com/thermoplastic/kydex/solid-colors/black-kydexr-sheet.html Quote
Members Dwight Posted March 7, 2021 Members Report Posted March 7, 2021 Here's a second vote for the kydex . . . easy to work with . . . not that expensive . . . if necessary it can be heat formed if you need a bend, wrinkle, or whatever. Didn't like the stuff when I first started messing with it . . . am quickly warming up to its many uses. and if there are seams where the tanks meet . . . take you time with a tough sewing machine . . . sew right thru the kydex as well. May God bless, Dwight Quote
Contributing Member Samalan Posted March 9, 2021 Contributing Member Report Posted March 9, 2021 Kydex Quote
Members Sanch Posted December 22, 2021 Members Report Posted December 22, 2021 Kydex not a good solution. It gets soft with heat. Harley Davidson+ riding=hot bike. Thin Aluminum better option. Just my opinion... Quote
Members Bruce H Posted December 30, 2021 Members Report Posted December 30, 2021 Cut some square patches out of plastic milk jugs, then glue 2 or 3 layers together and cut to fit...It'll make a great stiffener. IMO Quote
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