Hardware store adhesives

[Spyros]

So I've started experimenting with some hardware store adhesives. 

Main reason for doing that is the availability for me, most shops won't ship liquids internationally and I don't really have leatherworking store nearby.  So my options are limited to ordering from shops within Australia, and for different reasons I just don't like the typical "leatherworking cement" options that they offer.   And I don't like the shipping times either.

In any case it's nice to be able to walk down to the hardware store and get something that works.  So after some experimenting, this is the best I've found:

Not sure about other countries but this is available everywhere in AU and it costs about USD $10-$12 for a 500ml pot.  It's odourless and has a consistency like yoghurt.  That consistency doesn't work for me because I like to apply glue with needle-point squeeze bottles like the ones in the photo below, so I get it in those pots in the photo above and dilute it about 3 parts glue - 2 parts water.  

After I dilute it I put it in the bottles with those cheap hydroponic syringes that I get online

I don't have long term results yet because I've only been using it about a couple of weeks.  But yesterday I had to remove a strip of leather I had glued on a bag flap a couple of days before as a reinforcement under the catch, so it had plenty of time to cure.  And it was practically impossible to remove it by hand, the two layers were completely bonded together, the only way to remove it was to skive it off or put it on a vice and slowly pull with a pliers.  In the end from all the pulling the leather did not even separate at the bond, but it literally split in half.  Obviously the flap was destroyed after that and I had to cut it and stitch another one on. 

So that was pretty impressive as far as glue goes. 

I want to check again after a few months to see how it holds long term, but if short term results is any indication, this might become my go to adhesive going forward.   Is there any reason you can think of why it shouldn't?  

[Handstitched]

@Spyros Thats pretty much what I use, sometimes Kwik Grip Gel, but both types work just the same. Can't say I've tried the water based version though. 

The other brand is called ' Parfix Fast Grip' same thing.  I can't get the adhesives (and some sealers)  that I want either because they can't be shipped by air ,  and road freight is too ex$y , so I just have to improvise. 

They seem to do the job OK, and I've used them for years.    If they go off a bit in the tin, I use some toluene to soften it up . 

HS

[Spyros]

1 hour ago, Handstitched said:

@Spyros Thats pretty much what I use, sometimes Kwik Grip Gel, but both types work just the same. Can't say I've tried the water based version though. 

The other brand is called ' Parfix Fast Grip' same thing.  I can't get the adhesives (and some sealers)  that I want either because they can't be shipped by air ,  and road freight is too ex$y , so I just have to improvise. 

They seem to do the job OK, and I've used them for years.    If they go off a bit in the tin, I use some toluene to soften it up . 

HS

Good to know I'm not the only one

 

[chuck123wapati]

13 hours ago, Spyros said:

So I've started experimenting with some hardware store adhesives. 

Main reason for doing that is the availability for me, most shops won't ship liquids internationally and I don't really have leatherworking store nearby.  So my options are limited to ordering from shops within Australia, and for different reasons I just don't like the typical "leatherworking cement" options that they offer.   And I don't like the shipping times either.

In any case it's nice to be able to walk down to the hardware store and get something that works.  So after some experimenting, this is the best I've found:

Not sure about other countries but this is available everywhere in AU and it costs about USD $10-$12 for a 500ml pot.  It's odourless and has a consistency like yoghurt.  That consistency doesn't work for me because I like to apply glue with needle-point squeeze bottles like the ones in the photo below, so I get it in those pots in the photo above and dilute it about 3 parts glue - 2 parts water.  

After I dilute it I put it in the bottles with those cheap hydroponic syringes that I get online

I don't have long term results yet because I've only been using it about a couple of weeks.  But yesterday I had to remove a strip of leather I had glued on a bag flap a couple of days before as a reinforcement under the catch, so it had plenty of time to cure.  And it was practically impossible to remove it by hand, the two layers were completely bonded together, the only way to remove it was to skive it off or put it on a vice and slowly pull with a pliers.  In the end from all the pulling the leather did not even separate at the bond, but it literally split in half.  Obviously the flap was destroyed after that and I had to cut it and stitch another one on. 

So that was pretty impressive as far as glue goes. 

I want to check again after a few months to see how it holds long term, but if short term results is any indication, this might become my go to adhesive going forward.   Is there any reason you can think of why it shouldn't?  

Heck no if it works, looks like the stuff we use for laminating tabletops and such its darn good for that. I am interested if it stays pliable, did you try it on something bendy too?

[Spyros]

13 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

Heck no if it works, looks like the stuff we use for laminating tabletops and such its darn good for that. I am interested if it stays pliable, did you try it on something bendy too?

It does, for sure.  Bending it feels about the same as the barge-type conact adhesive I was using before, maaaaybe just a touch stiffer, but very small difference.

[Handstitched]

Its quite flexible . Quite often I use it before stitching, machine or by hand, it holds everything in place  .

HS