Thread: Leather for vise jaws

Originally Posted by waveink

1. What weight/thickness/type of leather do people recommend?

It doesn't really matter but obviously if it is too thin it will suffer greater wear and tear.
I used 3 mm thick stuff on my vices but 2 or 4 mm would be OK

2. Do you attach it so that the skin side (outside of the cow or the smooth side) is out, or the other, softer more ragged side is out?

It doesn't really matter as both sides grip pretty well with maybe the ragged side out being a little better.

3. Do you attach it with epoxy/contact adhesive or some other method?

You do want to be able to replace the leather some time so epoxy is probably a bit permanent.
I used contact adhesive.

Ragged side out IMHO

I used rough side out and PVA glue. I wiped the side to be glued with sprit first so as to have a clean surface for the glue. It took the colour off the leather. As to what leather to use I guess it is the leather you have got. I am not convinced it is essential and bare wood jaws work ok. I had a bit of leather laying around so used it as a lot of the fancy bench builds show it. I am pleased with it so far but will be interested to see how long it lasts. I am treating it as an experiment and only used it on the end vice.
Regards
John

Roadside collection. Busted leather lounge. Stanley knife.

Paul

... or pick up the whole thing and find out it was made from two pieces of hardwood, some pine, chipboard, 9000 staples and enough fluff to make your own bouncy castle.

Originally Posted by pmcgee

Roadside collection. Busted leather lounge. Stanley knife.
....

Marsfield has roadside collection at the moment.

Originally Posted by orraloon

I used rough side out and PVA glue.

Here here.

Leather sticks to wood very well. It is almost like wood to wood. I would say the thicker the better.

I have bought a lot from a store in Paddys market. It is only 5 minutes from my office. If you are interested I can get some for you.

Rough side out and pva too. Hasn't moved an inch since I fixed it on. My leather is prob 3mm.

Trav

Originally Posted by Wongo

Here here.

Leather sticks to wood very well. It is almost like wood to wood. I would say the thicker the better.

I have bought a lot from a store in Paddys market. It is only 5 minutes from my office. If you are interested I can get some for you.

Thanks Wongo, that's a very generous offer. If it's not too much bother I'd be very grateful. I have two visas, so need four pieces of leather. 2 at 760x160 and 2 at 500 x 190. Obviously bits an pieces are fine as long as I can cut the required sizes - and the general consensus is about 3mm thickness. Do you need me to front you some cash? PM me details and I'll make a transfer immediately.

Thanks again for your help

pete

Not a problem mate.