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Sealing mold for leather

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Sealing mold for leather

Postby MY63 » 04 Apr 2021, 14:40

In January I made a new pair of molds for one of the more complicated cases I make.

Image2021-02-14_11-44-47 by my0771, on Flickr

This picture shows the top part of the mold.

Image2021-04-02_06-38-29 by my0771, on Flickr

I made the molds from the wood I had which was plywood for the base and thin mdf for the top, my problem is the leather is wet when formed over the mold. As you can see I have added some plastic to keep the mdf dry. Unfortunately the plywood does not like getting wet either.
I thought about sealing them with wax but it would stop the leather from accepting dye.
Any ideas appreciated.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby Malc2098 » 04 Apr 2021, 14:48

Could you have a laser cutter cut the the top of the mould from an acrylic. I don't know what thickness would be appropriate to manage the pressure you apply.

One of the member of this forum has a laser cutting business.

I'm not sure the lower part of the mould could be laser cut, but it could be cnc moulded of an inert material.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby Nelsun » 04 Apr 2021, 14:51

Would a glazing of waterproof glue not do? Epoxy would be the nuclear option if you're making a lot of them.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby spb » 04 Apr 2021, 15:21

Epoxy would certainly do it, but I suspect a PU varnish would do the job a lot more easily.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby Lons » 05 Apr 2021, 15:51

I have plenty of solid mahogany offcuts if you need some Michael but you'd need to remake the moulds. Just shout if any good.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby MY63 » 06 Apr 2021, 13:42

Thanks Lons all off cuts are gratefully received.
I think the P U varnish might help until I remake the molds. I do have some epoxy for an upcoming project so there will be lots of questions, in the near future.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby DaveL » 06 Apr 2021, 13:58

How about making the mold from plastic cutting boards? You can shape it with woodwork tools, I use it for table inserts on my bandsaw and have spacers for stuff with it.
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Re: Sealing mold for leather

Postby MY63 » 06 Apr 2021, 14:30

Thanks Dave that is worth considering, Bay Plastics are not far from me I might speak to them and see if they have any off cuts.
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