Kolton45 Report post Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) So I made one of these light switch covers from the springfeild leather pattern pack and I was wondering is there anything i can/ could have done to prevent the corners from curling its 7-8oz hermann oak and i tried flattening it after tooling and all sorts of stuff like that and even glued it to some posterboard which helped alot but still not perfect any tips for future projects would be appreciated thank you in advance Edited February 1, 2021 by Kolton45 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted February 2, 2021 G'Day, love the idea . Perhaps try a stiffer back board? Can they be fixed to the wall on the corners? Not knowing what the wall is made of, perhaps a small decorative brass screw, nail etc. in each corner ? Or, double sided tape? Just a few ideas. HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toxo Report post Posted February 2, 2021 (edited) Wet the ply, put a small nut or something under the center and clamp/weigh down the edges. Leave to dry completely or put it in the oven. Go easy when screwing to the wall. You could do this with that one. Edited February 2, 2021 by toxo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolton45 Report post Posted February 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Handstitched said: G'Day, love the idea . Perhaps try a stiffer back board? Can they be fixed to the wall on the corners? Not knowing what the wall is made of, perhaps a small decorative brass screw, nail etc. in each corner ? Or, double sided tape? Just a few ideas. HS Yeah I was after I noticed the problem I figured if I woulda used a thicker peice of leather it probably wouldn't curl as much and its dry wall I might try the double sided tape next Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolton45 Report post Posted February 2, 2021 1 hour ago, toxo said: Wet the ply, put a small nut or something under the center and clamp/weigh down the edges. Leave to dry completely or put it in the oven. Go easy when screwing to the wall. You could do this with that one. I tried all that expect I didnt use the oven and it helped alot but still had some curl on the edges Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted February 2, 2021 Its curling because the leather is drying out and there is tension. You need to counter that tension, with a piece of leather glued on the back. A slightly thicker piece. Dampen it and let it dry out. I believe as the backing piece dries it will pull the corners and edges down Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 2, 2021 What you need to do is get the back wet . . . not enough to come up and mess with the tooling . . . but wet none the less. Then take it in your hands and re-form it the other way . . . so when you lay it down so the tooling is up . . . then the belly or center will look bowed up. It will take a bit of time to do this being careful not to mess up the tooling . . . but if you keep bending with your fingers . . . holding down the sides . . . pushing up in the middle . . . you'll get it. Then if you have a hot box . . . put it in there to dry . . . if not, an oven at 140 deg F or less . . . lay it down in there . . .tooling side down . . . let it dry. You can then put it on the wall . . . the screw will pull it flat . . . but only pull it tight enough to put the dimmer handles back on. A couple coats of Resolene on the front and the back will help it maintain that new shape. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Powermatic Report post Posted February 3, 2021 Wow, that is a really nice use of leather. That looks really nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert03241 Report post Posted March 3, 2021 How bout some 2 sided tape Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites