leather adhesive UPDATE pg 2

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Hi fellas-


I did a search on this and while admittedly got kind of overwhelmed, I also didn't see one of the specific things I'm curious about.

Barge seems to be THE 'ol stand-by and it is what I have used on all my sheaths. But I'm running out and it isn't quite as easy to find as it used to be. I found it, it's just not everywhere (like the hardware store down the road) like it was a few years ago.

What is your preferred adhesive?

I wasn't even going to consider the "EcoWeldr" from Tandy... https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/2532-02.aspx it's a water based adhesive, and usually environmentally friendly stuff sucks. :eek: :foot: Sorry, but it's how I feel with most things when it comes to adhesives, paints, stains, finishing formulas, etc.

But I've actually heard it works really well, and the video Tandy has makes it look solid (but... "Of course it does...they're peddling their own product";)).

Their "Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement" https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/2525-03.aspx is supposedly similar to Barge.

Anybody have experience with it???



What about anything else???


I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here, considering I know Barge is great stuff. But I'm trying to look at all SOLID options here.




Thanks guys! :)
 
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I find leatherweld superb. I have to tear or cut the leather apart if I want to disasemble it.
 
Pliobond is great. Apply it and let it dry then assemble and it will never come apart
 
I have used the Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement for a few months now. Once it cures, it will not come apart cleanly! You will be shredding hide.

DD
 
Nick - All I've ever used was the Canadian "LePage" brand Heavy Duty Contact Cement. I suppose it similar to "Elmer's". Its what's available at the local Home Box Store. I've never had an issue with it.
 
I have been using the DAP Weldwood (Original) for about 9 years and haven't had one come apart on me yet.

Leather Master Sandy Morrissey put me on to it years ago.

Robert
 
I use Barge cement as well. What amazed me is when I went to buy a quart at the Tandy store, they wouldn't let me. But would let me buy the Tandy version of it in quart size. I respectfully declined and went home and ordered the quart size from Springfield Leather. Those are great folks to deal with!

Weldwood is good stuff. I use it on a lot of other non-leather stuff. It's just that I prefer Barge on leather. Weldwood is sold in the 32 oz size at our local Wal-Mart, so it's super easy to get. Might check in your area.
 
NickWheeler said:
Hi fellas-


I did a search on this and while admittedly got kind of overwhelmed, I also didn't see one of the specific things I'm curious about.

Barge seems to be THE 'ol stand-by and it is what I have used on all my sheaths. But I'm running out and it isn't quite as easy to find as it used to be. I found it, it's just not everywhere (like the hardware store down the road) like it was a few years ago.

What is your preferred adhesive?

I wasn't even going to consider the "EcoWeldr" from Tandy... https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/2532-02.aspx it's a water based adhesive, and usually environmentally friendly stuff sucks. :eek: :foot: Sorry, but it's how I feel with most things when it comes to adhesives, paints, stains, finishing formulas, etc.

But I've actually heard it works really well, and the video Tandy has makes it look solid (but... "Of course it does...they're peddling their own product";)).

Their "Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement" https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/2525-03.aspx is supposedly similar to Barge.

Anybody have experience with it???



What about anything else???


I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel here, considering I know Barge is great stuff. But I'm trying to look at all SOLID options here.




Thanks guys! :)
Click to expand...

I've spent some time reading the sheathmakers forum here on this.

On reading Paul Long had some good posts on this.

Apparently Barge has changed their formula and has more than one colour of labelling to match that.
The old formula (yellow-green)had Toluene in it and they have pulled that of retail store shelves to keep the kids from sniffing it.

The users used to the old formula weren't' happy with the new (blue)one.

From what I recall, you can still get it with proof of business and such from the right industrial suppliers.

Being from Canada the only source I found several sizes from tubes to quarts on Ebay from USA sources.
 
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DAP contact cement works well,red lable (don't use the water based DAP contact cement) Tightbond III wood glue works well but has a long drying time with leather.
 
I can't recommend the DAP highly enough. Besides sheaths I make a lot of working tack and saddlery items. Things used by working cowboys in extremely harsh and rugged conditions. I also use these things myself under the same conditions running a small cow calf outfit, horseback. They need to work and they need to stay together. I switched to DAP from Barge four or five yars ago. I believe that it actually forms a stronger bond then Barge as I' ve had to take a few things apart for repair. I use the water based green can of DAP. Less headaches. Literally, it's designed to have fewer things in it to bother your head. It's also handy to be able to thin it just by using a little water. Also better glue lines then Barge and with your eye for detail, Nick I know that will be important to you.
 
I second the tanners contact cement. It's good stuff. I've also used fiebings leather weld with good results as well. I want to try evo-stik drip free contact cement. It's like Vaseline consistency and seems easy to use. That's what I'm ordering next. But it's not in stores.
 
I use DAP (the same as Paul and Robert posted)... it has worked well for me and it relatively inexpensive.
Erin
 
I tried some weird labeled stuff that I found at the local craft store that didn't work too well, it didn't hold like it was suppose to. Then I got some of the DAP and it works great.

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I have used Barge, Tanner's Bond, LeatherWeld, EcoWeld, Elmers, LePage, DAP Weldwood and several other glues. Aside from the minor inconvenience of a few slow drying adhesives, they all seemed to work to my expectations. At the moment, I am using LePage Press-Tite Blue and like it. It contains Toluene... which helps pass the day with freaky psychedelic hallucinations. I was introduced to a gnome selling horsehair bluejeans the other day.... good times.:thumbup:
 
Horsewright said:
I use the water based green can of DAP. It's also handy to be able to thin it just by using a little water.
Click to expand...

Hoss, I have not tried the water based DAP. If you can thin it with a little water, then that is a plus. One drawback to using the "Original DAP Weldwood is that after a while it thickens and gets a bit stringy.

Some have said to use various things to thin it, but I have tried them all, and nothing actually works for me. I usually just buy the 16 oz. can, and when it gets too "buggery", I buy another can.

Others have said to put marbles in the can as you use it to reduce the amount of air space. Ain't gonna buy marbles. What few marbles I had have been lost long ago. :)

How does the "Water-based" stuff affect the "Tack-Time"?

Robert
 
Rick Marchand said:
I was introduced to a gnome selling horsehair bluejeans the other day.... good times.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Now Rick, if you really want your jewels to glow as bright as the night sky, you go ahead and wear those horsehair britches, commando! BUT, you may want to assemble a few dozen sheaths, first! :eek: :D

DD
 
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