Replies

1. 
   mountainheritage | Apr 03, 2009 03:02pm | #1

   Going to go out on a limb here.....

   Guessing your trying to put flat leather inserts into a large executive desk with a wood frame around outside and in the middle?  If so.....not that I have had the opportunity to try it yet.... I would make the top out of the solid wood you are currently using, but make it a mortise & tennon frame.  Then I would cut a dado for some good quality birch plywood to be inserted under the leather inserts.  Kind of like making a raised panel door, but the raised panel is actually the plywood acting as a strong backer to the leather.  I would do this for two reasons, first you are never going to see it, so why waste the nice solid wood.  Second, it is never going to expand or contract, so there would be less chance of the leather moving around or coming unglued?  Then I would glue the leather down onto the plywood with a good quality adhesive (perhaps 3M spray on) after you have completely finished the top.

   I have always wanted to do a desk with leather in-lay......this is the way I would do it.  Hard to say if it would be the "correct" way though?

    

2. 
   KeithNewton | Apr 03, 2009 04:12pm | #2

   RW, I use a heavy coat of contact cement on the substrate only, and lay it onto the leather, which is already laying face down on a good flat surface. Then flip it over, and smooth out, and press it down gently with the hands, around corners, while it can still squirm.

   When the glue is dry, you can trim the edges.

3. 
   daverichards | Apr 03, 2009 07:27pm | #3

   I watched a DVD last night showing the construction of a Louis XV desk. the builder used hide glue for everything from gluing the joints to the veneer to attaching the leather. He used a wooden roller to get the leather flat and only glued down part of it at a time.

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Apr 04, 2009 04:23am | #4

   As Keith said that is a god way to deal with leather. as for the edges and how to hold them in. Well the ply insert sounds good and pull the edges over the side of the panel. Screw from under so it can be repaired in 70 years.You could make a friction fit? but I would make it undersize and put in a strip of wood 1//8 1/4 thick around it and put just a we dab of glue on it, after the leather was in place.
   Keep the leather just a cat hair down so an edge won't catch.Apply a coat of leather protection before you install it.

4. 
   xxxxx | Apr 04, 2009 06:12am | #5

   Not to take away from the richness of real leather, but some of the plastic laminate companies have imitation leather on phenolic backer.  Not something you'd put on a high-end piece but something to consider as a kicker on a middle of the road piece.

   Appearance and texture are pretty good, durability seems adequate.

   I'm only saying it's out there, depending on your location, finding a supplier may be a problem.

    

    

   Paul

5. 
   JLMCDANIEL | Apr 04, 2009 06:13am | #6

   See if this helps http://antiquerestorers.com/LEATHERinstall.htm

    

   Jack

1. 
   RW | Apr 04, 2009 04:33pm | #7

   *applause*

   Thanks to everyone for the responses. The link is a winner. Real trucks dont have sparkplugs