Although leatherworking has existed since prehistoric times, it has developed into an industry in its own right, with its many craft trades and world-renowned design houses.
A material known for its nobility, leather is widely used in many fields, from footwear and clothing to furniture and sports equipment. Often favored for its robustness and resistance to the elements, leather is a material that requires particular care. As a raw, natural material, leather needs to be worked with specific products and accessories at every stage of the manufacturing process, to ensure its resistance and durability.
Working with leather requires meticulous attention to detail and a high level of technical skill to ensure that the assembly, and therefore the finished product, is a success. Whether shoemakers, saddlers or stitchers, leather professionals must have the right equipment to be able to make leather goods:
Sanding leather is a very important step in the manufacture of leather goods. To improve homogeneity and workability, the leather must first be polished. This creates asperities and helps the glue to bond better to the surface. The use of an abrasive will eliminate any risk of dirt embedding in the material, and will facilitate the adhesion of various maintenance products (glues, stains, etc.).
For gluing, it’s essential to use special leather glue, as using traditional glue could damage the material. As leather is a delicate material, the choice of glue depends on the application. If, for example, leather is to be bonded to a flexible material, solvent-based and water-based adhesives are preferred. On the other hand, if bonding to a hard material, cyanoacrylate adhesives are preferred. You will need to identify the application surface and its use so as to choose the right professional adhesive for the leather project.
Brushes are essential for meticulous application of adhesive and/or paint. They are perfectly suited to the various finishing operations required on leather goods. So, depending on whether the product is being glued or painted, the leather professional will adapt the type of brush and the size of the head. To clear corners and delimit areas to be painted, use brushes with rechampions. Whereas for fine lines, brushes with a tapered, flat or concave bevel are preferred, depending on need.
Brushes have many uses in the leather industry, particularly in footwear. For shoe care, the suede brush effectively cleans leather while preserving the material. Wire brushes are ideal for polishing leather to ensure an even work surface. Finally, a bristle brush is preferable for even application of shoe polish to leather shoes.
There are several techniques for applying glue to leather. One is to use a glue gun. The glue is loaded into the gun and applied using the gun’s trigger. This spray application makes it possible to control the flow of glue onto the material. The refill comes in different forms: either sticks or liquid glue. The advantage of this technique is that the professional gains in precision and time. The choice of spray equipment depends on the adhesive to be applied.
Once the tools have been used, they need to be cleaned so that they can be reused. Whether applying glue with a brush or spray gun, it’s essential to use the right products. To clean these tools, the cleaner will depend on the substance to be removed from the object. In the case of glue, a rinsing liquid or neoprene solvent will remove excess glue, enabling the tool to be used for another application. To clean leather, on the other hand, you’ll need a special cleaner that can be applied with a brush or soaked cloth.
Whether by hand or machine, leather stitching is used to assemble the pieces and give an aesthetic finish to the leather goods. The choice of needle depends on the desired finish and the type of leather being worked. Several diameters and types of needles are available. For decorative stitching, for example, LR point needles are ideal. For hand stitching in saddle stitch, on the other hand, awls and curved needles are used to facilitate perforation of the leather. There are many different types to choose from, depending on the desired effect.
Leather professions expose these professionals to physical and chemical risks. Handling solvents, cutting machines and inhaling leather dust expose them to increased health risks. Personal protective equipment is essential to ensure protection and safety. To prevent inhalation of leather dust, FFP3 masks are particularly effective. The choice of gloves will vary according to the task at risk. Cut-resistant gloves are preferred when handling machinery, while waterproof gloves are used when handling chemicals. Lastly, protective goggles can be used if there is a risk of splashing.
‘Lineo supports leather professionals at every stage in the manufacture of leather goods. Discover our professional solutions for leather, wood, metal, plastic or glass in our accessories catalog, or contact our ‘Lineo teams directly.
