Leather Samurai Saddles

[wberminio]

I need to flatten and glue to a substraight old Samurai saddle sides.
They are slightly curved.
Does anyone know the best way to flatten them and what glue would I use to attach them to a plywood sheet?

They are very old so I can't wet them and destroy the pattern and color in any way.
Thanks for any help!

[Brady Watson]

Can't you make a paper template & transfer that to plywood? If you are bent on getting a digital copy of it, transfer paper to hardboard/masonite, cut w/jigsaw and then 2D probe the pattern. You can also digitize a photo of the flattened paper template on a high-contrast background if you set the camera up correctly.

-B

[wberminio]

Thanks Brady

I was planning on doing what you suggest.
My issue is to attach these leather panels to plywood and inset them into a
wooden table top.
I'm not sure how to flatten and attach these panels.
They are very expensive and can't be replaced.

You can see it is embossed and gold leafed

11642

[chiloquinruss]

Does it lay flat if you put it on your vacuum table? If it does, you might try glueing it down using a vacuum bag. Just a thought. Russ

[Brady Watson]

Oh...OK got it. I thought you were making a reproduction.

Gradual clamping using vacuum is probably the way to go.

-B

[bleeth]

Erminio:

These are originally curved by soaking in a solution and then being allowed to dry over a mold. This results in the cells on the outer part stretching and the cells on the inner part being compressed sort of like steambending a plank. Those of us who have removed old planks from boats know that they will crack if you flatten them out much. If they are not really stiff at this point you may be able to slowly flatten them in a press (like days with a fraction at a time and then leaving them there more days.) Cracking the surface finish is highly possible. For dyes the chances are less but for applied finishes (like the metallic) the odds of damage increase. I would put them in a recess and put a piece of glass over the top and not try to flatten them out.
I know in your neck of the woods saddlery shops that actually have leather toolers are probably hard to come by but before I tried anything I would find one and take the pieces to him (her) and ask them for advice and who may be good for a second opinion.

[wberminio]

These pieces are slightly curved-by naturally sitting on horses.
I will try to slowly flatten them in my vacuum press.
It's funny - I had made a few of these tables about 15 years ago-But I can't remember what I had done back then.

What would I use to glue them down-once flattened-good old yellow glue/epoxy?

Dave-Believe it or not I'm surrounded by private horse farms-I might just stop by one of them ask about their saddle makers-thanks for the heads up!

[bleeth]

TandyLeather is still around although nowhere near you. They sell on line and have a ton of different leather glues. When I do Leather top desks I use wallpaper paste on advice of the guy I buy my leather from and it works great and cleans up easy.

[wberminio]

Haven't seen a Tandy leather around here since 1982!
I'll check their sight.
Thanks

[gerryv]

Erminio, Perhaps there might be some help here?

http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum

[wberminio]

Thanks Gerry

Interesting Forum!