Burnishing edges have gummy residue

[TangledTreeStudios]

11 minutes ago, Dwight said:

I make 2 piece belts for CHL . . . and holsters of course.  I use Weldwood contact cement exclusively . . . have never EVER had a problem with it in almost 20 years.

I put on a light smooth coat on both pieces . . . usually take a wire brush to any flesh side that is being glued . . . makes it stick better . . . and after the glue is put on I take my heat gun and go over it until I can touch the whole thing and absolutely NONE of it is tacky or sticky.

Put it together . . . I use a roller on my belts and I generally sand the edges and then sew them together . . . then and there.  

Same with the holsters . . .  position it . . . stick em together . . . sand the edges smooth . . . use my stitch groover . . . and sew it.

Key to it all is let the cement or MAKE the cement be DRY before you try to put them together.  If it is still wet . . . it'll not only move . . . but sometimes little gooey globs will sneak out and mess up your edge.  

One thing bad about contact cement . . . if you get it on the finish surface . . .  it WILL NOT TAKE the dye.  That is when I toss it and start over.

Anyway . . . have fun . . . leather working is good for the soul.

May God bless,

Dwight

That's awesome Dwight!  Thanks for the info.  I thought there was a line you'd cross where it would get TOO dry.  Sounds like TOO dry isn't a concern.

[tsunkasapa]

Another tip is to cover one side with heavy paper or light cardboard. Line up one point and gradually remove the paper as you line up your edges. I learned that trick installing Formica. An accidental contact with that stuff is a major PITA.

[sbrownn]

On 8/12/2021 at 7:38 PM, tsunkasapa said:

Another tip is to cover one side with heavy paper or light cardboard. Line up one point and gradually remove the paper as you line up your edges. I learned that trick installing Formica. An accidental contact with that stuff is a major PITA.

I like t o final cut my edges after I've glued up the pieces.  That takes care of having to align and sand them.

[YinTx]

It took me a while to learn how to use the aquilim to avoid the sticky buggers on the edges.  For me, I have to apply it really really really thin.  Like, transparent thin.  No lines showing between strokes with the spatula spreader.  Then, I hit it with a hair dryer to dry it out pretty well, it will be just tacky.  Stick em together, and no buggers.  YMMV.

YinTx

[battlemunky]

I do similar to Yin. So thin it looks like it wouldn't work, but it does. I still prefer Barge or Weldwood but Aquilum is pretty good for water based and it doesn't stink up the house.