Got sold on Leather Weld...

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Emphasiski

Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Messages
402
So I got sold on some leather weld...I don't know how it happened, without me doing a lot of research on it.

With that said, there's no going back until I use it up...hopefully you guys can give me the go ahead for long term use.

I'm wondering what's the general dry time on this stuff? My first sheath is drying right now, and I just want to get to sewing it, but I'd prefer the glue is dry first, so I can thread safely without moving the sheath around.
 
I guess I live a sheltered life. I've never heard of it............but then I've used barge for about forty years and I don't remember what I used before that.

Paul
 
Thanks for the link. I know now why I hadn't heard of it. I ignore almost all the "Eco this and that" products that Tandy/LF has come out with. I have not used it, I have zero experience with it but being in the "Eco" line, I will bet big bucks it's about the same and no better than the standard white Elmer's brand school glue.

I think you would be better served by almost any brand of CONTACT cement. Tanner's Bond, Barge, Weldwood Contact Cement (from your local hardware store). I can't find any information on the formulation of Leather Weld, but based on the instructions for use I would guess it's even water soluble. The fact that they recommend constant pressure until it is dry is a big negative and a tip off on the probable worth of the product for leather use.

Thanks again for the link.

Paul
 
I was asking about a cement that doesn't feel like I'm using it as an illicit substance. A friend of mine who owns the local leather shop, a leatherworker for over 30 years and has tried most everything at some point said
"if it doesn't stink then it probably won't work." Gave me a chuckle.
Barge cement for me since I started and I don't plan on changing.
 
Oh crap! I wish I wasn't such a push over. What I wouldn't give for the ability to say NO!

Maybe I'll see if I can return in.
 
I've used it before, it's good for holding something together before you stitch it up. It's almost the same if not the same as Elmers All-purpose glue, so I switched to that after running out of the Tandy Leather Weld.

One day I was using Barge cement on a sheath that the dye was not completely dry. There must have been a cemical reaction between the cement and dye because the bond didn't hold. It was like trying to hold the 2 pieces of leather together with snot. The Tandy Leather Weld held in that instance where the cement would not. So don't apply the cement to the leather till the dye has had time to cure properly. Thats one more reason why I like to use pre-dyed leather these days.

Heber
 
I use the Weldwood stuff from Home Depot. Let it dry a little bit on the two sides youre bonding, stick it together and tap it with a mallet....and if done right you cannot pry that stuff apart if you wanted to. I tried once after I screwed up. When it's stuck, its STUCK!..lol

I looked for Barge when i started making because thats what everyone uses, but got the Weldwood stuff because it was convenient at the time. Haven't looked back. It works great and it's easy.
 
I use original Barge (yellow tube - with Toluene - works great - smells good to me - great buzz :rolleyes:). Because of the Toluene (a Volitile Organic Compound) it is being phased out all over the place and is downright illegal in some places like California.

I use new Barge (blue tube - no Toluene - works great - no buzz). It is a little more runny and stringy than original Barge but it does work very well. It is a little harder to use by a small margine but good stuff.

Dap Weldwood (the old original - with Tolune - the buzz is back:rolleyes:) and is and probably will remain available everywhere. Very runny and to my estimation a real mess. It takes a lot longer than Barge to dry to tacky and sometimes requires a second coat. Glueing takes longer. It may be up to a week before the vapors vent out of the piece with weldwood. BUT...it sure does stick...as good Barge really if you let it dry past tacky. With the Weldwood, you really want to stir it very well before each use.

I would not hesitate to use any of the three. When I am in other states, I check out hardware stores for yellow tube Barge but since the Blue tube is available locally, I am good.

PS. Joking about the buzz really. The first time I used Barge I did so without proper ventilation and I am here to say I felt very funny and had to stop. Windows open ever since. I grew up in a house full of artists and craftsmen so gluey chemical smells don't bug me but one does have to be careful with toluene.
 
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