edge headache

[canonitr]

Hi,

i'm not sure what's the term for it, so i am just going to use "leather fiber" for now..

basically, when i am about to finish my leather edges, i notice that for most parts, i am able to get the 2 or more layers sandwiched nicely (sanded nice and even).. however, i do get small portions of the edge, that just seem to not be able to be flattened down nicely, and looks like the leather fiber at that part is is uncompressed or loose. any glue or tape at that area is still there, between the 2 pieces of leather, but the fiber just behind the adhesive just loosens up.

it happen whether i use contact glue, or double sided tissue tape.. it happens rarely between 2 vegtan pieces, but fairly often if one piece is goat or some other leather (in my current case, its nubuck). 

the nicer parts can get burnished  with edge wax. bees wax or paraffin wax, or more recently with the Crimson OEM fileteuse, but that loose fiber is giving me some headache..

i'll try to get a picture of what i mean later on tonight (my time)

[Klara]

Have you tried progressively finer sandpaper to get the loose fiber off? My shop says to rub only in one direction... And then Tokonole or similar to glue the fibres together and lots of elbow grease for polishing.

[canonitr]

i have already sanded it, but its not actually fiber sticking out, but more of a loose edge..i have tried tokonole (similar) on other projects, and it doesnt really work, though i never actually compressed it after application..

[canonitr]

a picture i got from the internet.. the lower piece has loose fiber ,,,

source https://www.leather-dictionary.com/index.php/Looseness

 

 

[PastorBob]

sciving it may help, before sanding.  Still not sure where the fibers are if not on the edge.

[Tugadude]

If your edges are as rough as shown in the photo there is something wrong.  That won't happen if you use gum trag or Tokonole.  

[Klara]

5 hours ago, canonitr said:

i have already sanded it, but its not actually fiber sticking out, but more of a loose edge..i have tried tokonole (similar) on other projects, and it doesnt really work, though i never actually compressed it after application..

If you just paint on the Tokonole it won't do anything, it's the rubbing that's important. 

[fredk]

I've been following this and thinking about it.

The only time I had leather like the example was a piece of chrome-tan upholstery leather. I still have some of it. The only way I got around the 'loose fibres' was, after cutting nearly to size I liberally applied some contact glue and rubbed it in. Then after gluing to the other pieces and/or after sewing I cut down to size, thus cutting through the glued down fibres

[canonitr]

2 hours ago, Tugadude said:

If your edges are as rough as shown in the photo there is something wrong.  That won't happen if you use gum trag or Tokonole.  

This was taken from the internet.. not my edge..

 

3 minutes ago, fredk said:

I've been following this and thinking about it.

The only time I had leather like the example was a piece of chrome-tan upholstery leather. I still have some of it. The only way I got around the 'loose fibres' was, after cutting nearly to size I liberally applied some contact glue and rubbed it in. Then after gluing to the other pieces and/or after sewing I cut down to size, thus cutting through the glued down fibres

I think the piece I have is chrome tanned too. Though it seems it’s not the type of tanning that is the root cause..

[Danne]

I have a couple of questions.

How does the flesh side of your leather look? is it very "furry"?

How do you apply contact cement? a thin layer on both pieces and let it dry until tacky?

If you don't flush cut your edge and sand it, do you instantly start to sand after glue? and what direction do you sand along the edge or across the edge?

Do you hammer down or press the edges after gluing together?