Add leather to a desktop

[joez]

Hi All,

I am about to start working on the desktop for a davenport desk I am making out of Jarrah. The design calls for a leather panel in the center of the desk about 300mm (H) x 400mm (W).

I have never worked with leather before, can anyone point me to some sources of information on how its done? Also can anyone recommend a leather supplier in Melbourne?

TIA
Joe

[Termite]

I have never worked with leather before, can anyone point me to some sources of information on how its done? Also can anyone recommend a leather supplier in Melbourne?
Try Madame Lash's Leather Emporeum, I think she is down at St Kilda somewhere. :rolleyes: :D

[Iain]

www.leffler.com.au
Melbourne based too, think they have leather, we just buy tools there for fixing saddles etc.

50 York St South Melbourne.

[kiwigeo]

Try Madame Lash's Leather Emporeum, I think she is down at St Kilda somewhere. :rolleyes: :D

Felt or velvet much easier on the old bott....nothing worse than not being able to sit down for a week after a session on the desk.

[Clinton1]

Yep, what Ian said... ask for 'upholstry leather' Leffler have over 100 colours in stock in upholstry leather. Address is 50 -56 York St Melbourne, enter via Ross St, which is round the back (car park is there too). See the old fella that looks after upholstry leather, a font of info.

Good stuff for restoring Writing slopes as well. :D

[joez]

Thanks!


Leffler sounds like the way to go, does anyone know if they are open on weekends?


Joe

[Driver]

joez

When you have learnt the secrets, do us all a favour and post the method on the Bulletin Board. I've always been curious about how a leather insert is applied to a desktop. Thanks.

Col

[Clinton1]

Phone: 1800 337 006 - Leffler

[Auld Bassoon]

joez

When you have learnt the secrets, do us all a favour and post the method on the Bulletin Board. I've always been curious about how a leather insert is applied to a desktop. Thanks.

Col

Ditto, please Driver!

Cheer!

[gazaly]

Try Madame Lash's Leather Emporeum, I think she is down at St Kilda somewhere. :rolleyes: :D


Went to the Hellfire Club in Melbourne many moons ago.
:o

There was a fair bit of leather there.
:D

I think most of it was being worn by Gumby though.
:eek:

[Iain]

Carlton if it hasn't moved, never been their but heard a lot of stories from my intoxicated colleagues who had :D

[YAKI]

JOEZ

Here is a site that gives a pretty good do-it-yourself explanation on how to install leather on a desk top.
http://antiquerestorers.com/LEATHER.htm
NOW MY STORY...
I have been involved in furniture repair and restoration for the last seven years and only had one encounter with leather. Not having any experience in replacing leather did not deter us from taking on this client, but it should have!!!! The first mistake was thinking that this was stupid easy. It was, but there are always those lessons learned.

The insert was of a unique oval shape, color and edge design that we had to pre-order from the US. This meant we did not have a second chance if anything went wrong. Nothing to practise with either. Thinking back we should have bought another piece of leather to experiment with (duh!!). The area was all cleaned and the leather was ready to go. We used a contact cement (never again) on advice from another pro. Once the contact cement set-up we layed in the leather insert and proceeded to apply pressure with a light weight veneer roller. This is when is all went wrong. The pressure from the roller stretched the the leather causing the finish to crack and the insert not to fit correctly. Of course we went into full speed panic and attempted to lift off the leather before it got any worse. This was another bad mistake. More stretching and cracking. Once the heart beats got under 200 BPM we reassed a bad situation and discussed how we would solve the problem and attempt to make the client happy.
We flattened the leather as best possible and cleaned all the contact cement off the table. We then used good old wall paper paste as mentioned in the above site and reset the leather with min pressure and using only light pressure. We did lay a few pieces of MDF for some added pressure during drying. This worked however the insert had a antique look due the cracking of the leather finish. We explained to the customer what happened and indicated we would replace the leather but it would take more time, she kept the table as was and we obviously did not charge her. Not a good way to run a small business!!! Live and learn.
LESSONS LEARNED....
Not all pros are pros in all aspects.
Leather does have a finish applyed to it like wood meaning it does have some restrictions on what you can use on it.
Should have used another piece of leather and experimented with the contact cement or other adhesives first.
More research in the library or the net (just what you are doing now).
Make the best of your mistakes once they happen.
Tell the customer the truth and they will aspect the end result much better.

I hope this helps a bit and it was not too long winded. It was just one bad experience but I would not be afraid to do another table leather insert now. It actually is not that difficult we just made so... We actually have done two other jobs now very sucessfully.

Have fun and can't wait to see the end result.

[joez]

Thanks Yaki, that link really helps. If all goes well I'll start on the lid this weekend. Once I get my measurements sorted I'll post some feedback and pics.



Joe

[soundman]

I remember reading an article in fine woodworking on the subject some time ago. tha edition may be back a long way.
Check the taunton website for their index of past articles. If you need let me know the details.
I or someone nearer will have the particular edition.

I seem to remember they didn' use contact cement.

cheers