Replies

1. 
   RickL | Aug 04, 2004 11:17am | #1

   I recall a FWW article on that. I've seen some books that covered that as well but can't recall which one offhand but someone else might have the reference handy. We used to use a product called Lon-Top which was a sort of vinyl with a leather look that was actually superior to leather for a writing surface. It was more forgiving and didn't leave the imprint of writing like leather would over time.

   http://www.lonseal.com/lontop.html

2. 
   joinerswork | Aug 04, 2004 03:30pm | #2

   repairman,

   I think Constantine's may be a source for leather cut to size.  Maybe Van Dyke's Restorers.  Your local upholstery shop will have the most choices of color, but you'll have to order at least 1/2 hide if going that route. 

   Rough cut the piece a little oversize for the recess, like 1" each direction, so it'll overlap.  I coat the recess with white glue, others use flour paste, or rice paste.  I've seen old work that was laid with hide glue.  Use a fairly heavy coat, as the fuzzy side of the leather will absorb a lot, but not so much that it will soak thru, of course.  Try not to pull or push the leather out of shape (you don't want it to slide back when you're not looking), but just ease any wrinkles out to the edges.  Then I use Momma's iron (don't tell!) on a low setting to set the glue.  Trim to the edge of the opening with a straight edge laid up against the crease formed by the leather lapping over the ledge.  I use a new exacto blade.  Press the newly cut edge into place, and re-iron the edges.  After it's dry, a little brown paste wax, or brown shoe polish will color up the raw edge of the leather if it shows.

   You may want to practice on scrap first, to get a feel for the angle of the blade and the setback of the straightedge, before comitting to the real thing.

   Good luck,

   Ray

3. 
   JimW | Aug 04, 2004 05:09pm | #3

   If you are going to use glue, make a bit of glue size (fancy word for glue mixed with water) to coat the back of the leather first, then glue the leather to the top.  This helps to keep the hide from soaking up too much glue and gives you more open time to flatten out any wrinkles.

   Jim

   Coventry Woodworking

4. 
   bobJackson | Aug 04, 2004 08:24pm | #4

   You might try http://www.buckskinleather.com     phone#403-253-3459   fax403-252-4270    This outfit is in Calgary and they have a lot of different kinds of leather.  Bob