Insetting leather

[JD Alan]

Howdy Marshall Will. The more I look at your bell box with the inset leather top, the more I want to try that. Can you explain that insetting process? Also, is that "Colt" top padded?

Thanks, JD

[Ned Buckshot]

Well JD here's how "I've" done it in the past.

Set your router bit cutting depth to the exact thickness of the leather. Use a flat bottom bit, I use a straight 1/2" bit. With an edge guide attached to the router carefully cut out the outside perimeter of the recess you want to create. Then very carefully route back and forth removing all the remaining wood in the middle. Use a scrap piece of the same leather to hold up one side of the router base as you remove more of the wood.

If your leather has square corners you will need to do a little chisel work to get the excess wood that the router can't reach in the corners.

Hope this helps, I'm sure the Marshall will respond soon.

Ned

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Howdy, JD. I didn't inset the whole piece of leather. I just used a chisel and made a perimiter cut then beveled down to that. The depth at the deepest point will be the outside edge. I cut mine slightly shallower than the thickness of the leather because the stamp will compress it some. That gives you a groove around the perimeter for the edge of the leather to set down into. To glue the leather on the top, dampen it just enough to be just barely malleable. Glue the leather down while damp. Press the edges into the groove and stamp the edge to set the glue and bring the top grain down so it isn't above the surface of the wood. The middle of the leather is now above the edges and you can put a smooth piece of wood or plastic sheet over it and tap it down to set the glue. Any of the edge that is still above the wood can be worked down with a bevel or spoon. After it's completely dry, you can put some finish on it. Too much oil will get into the wood so be careful with that. I dyed the "Colt" before I glued it on. The leather looks padded but that's just because the edges are the only inset part.

You could also use Ned's method and glue a second piece of leather with beveled edges under the finished piece to give it the same appearance. This might be somewhat easier because the leather could be glued in dry. Be sure to post pics when you get it done.

[Ned Buckshot]

Good Idea about the extra edge Marshall! I'll have to give that a try.

Ned

[Ned Buckshot]

And use a thin piece of High Density Closed cell foam in the recess! Oh Sorry I mean saddle padding!

Give a little cush to your tush!!!!

Ned

[GunClick Rick]

I'll run right out and do that,if i can figure out what the hell your guys are talkin about

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I like the padding idea, Ned. Maybe next time I'll try that, too. It's really great the way we share ideas around here.

I'll run right out and do that,if i can figure out what the hell your guys are talkin about

Who says we know ourselves?

[Ned Buckshot]

I wonder how a thin piece of plywood, like an 1/8" or 3/16"  cut to the outside shape and then cut out in the middle to accomidate a little padding? Also sand the edges on a belt sander to the proper thinkness HMMMMM??

Ned

[JD Alan]

I'm still on thoughts of carving. I haven't progressed to thinking about getting on the box yet!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I wonder how a thin piece of plywood, like an 1/8" or 3/16"  cut to the outside shape and then cut out in the middle to accomidate a little padding? Also sand the edges on a belt sander to the proper thinkness HMMMMM??

That would probably work great if the inside edge was beveled some so there wasn't a hard edge under the leather. Maybe just do a 45° bevel on the whole cutout. You could cut the foam to fit the bevel and glue it along the edges. You could also put another layer of foam on top of the whole thing out to where it bevels off on the outside. An electric knife would trim the foam to the same taper as the sanded edge. I may have to try another inset project soon to try some of these ideas out.

[GunClick Rick]

You know what,i see what you guys mean now.I used to go to auctions alot and i had a bunch of leather belts in a box and was looking at them yesterday.I found one that has silver letters on it with nice white leather trim and i could see it was carved out with a darker thinner piece sewn to the back.there are 3 buck-a-roo or Buck-a-rette belts in there too one is for a girl and has little silver hearts and a place to stamp a name.If anyone wants them let me know you can have them.I'll take a pic and post in a bit pretty good little belts..

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'm still on thoughts of carving. I haven't progressed to thinking about getting on the box yet!

It'll be fun seeing what you finally do.