Making a Leather Desk Pad

[@madviola183]

As someone new to leatherworking, I find these project videos like this very helpful. I learned a few new things. Thank you for making it!

[@richardkatzman1215]

Daniel, you need to watch Chuck’s video on using a paint roller and paint dish to spread the Barge Adhesive quickly with no mess. It’s a great idea! Nice project! You come up with great ideas. Keep them coming. Best regards, Richard

[@DanielReachCreations]

Hi Richard, Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Chuck has a good technique with the paint roller and pan. I watched it several years ago when it came out. Great technique. I prefer to do it in smaller batches because I feel like I can control the mess better. Not to mention, keeping the fumes to a minimum. Its a great technique though if it works for your situation.

[@richardkatzman1215]

Have you tried the new Barge Cement without Toluene? The fumes aren’t as bad as the old cement. You still need to open the windows, turn on the fan and wear a mask. This new cement is much better. With the old cement Even wearing protection and ventilation I still got dizzy. My wife says I’m always dizzy and couldn’t tell the difference! Married 53 years this August. Good thing I wear hearing aids. I turn them off when she’s around. I guess that’s why we’ve Ben married that long!

[@DanielReachCreations]

@@richardkatzman1215 I'm not sure if I've tried that one or not.

[@bobzee5153]

This is a great idea. I'm always looking for simple projects to do in between the long complicated ones. This fits the bill. 👍

[@daverooni7763]

Whooo, that must have been a stinky glue up! Glad you have a respirator, I got one last year and really appreciate it

[@DanielReachCreations]

Every window in the house was open in the middle of winter. LOL (I have a very supportive wife.)

[@mariasaha8303]

Thx for mentioning this!

[@lynxlady5355]

I love the basic skills and easy projects videos. I would like to see more 'real time' footage though.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Knowing how much real time footage vs accelerated footage is always a tough call. I try to create videos that are packed with info, but still move quickly, so they aren't boring. A video that has more real time footage can be relaxing and educational to one person while being boring and slow moving to another. I'll try to bump up the real time footage a little to see how it works.

[@sutach]

simple project, but very big. You can make coasters like this, small, easy to stitch by hand and they look very classy. And of course you can make it from scrap pieces (9x9cm is enough)

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

Great video for us rookies - relatively simple but a great product when done. Thanks

[@lynxlady5355]

Refillable Marker Video: Yes, Please!

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Here's a video on the refillable markers from a few weeks ago! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjbgJdooa95nNk

[@ronaldhill6760]

Excellent! It is obvious that you are a true artist. We all know what you can do and for most of us WAY out of our league. The cougar video for example. So, that said, Teach us . Experts are not watching, beginners are, mid range people are. Experts are showing and making and writing books or teaching classes at shows. You have an opportunity to get folks to the next level. I am sure you could break down a tutorial on how to make a simple wallet, or purse, or bag, or what ever and elevate people to the next level. Tooling for instance, how hard it is possible to teach how hard to strike and not to? Love your videos and keep up the good work, AND keep hawking Weavers!

[@DanielReachCreations]

Hi Ronald, Thank you for the feedback and the kind words. I appreciate the kind way you shared your thoughts with me. Help me understand better what it is you're suggesting I bring to the channel. I'm happy to teach very basic techniques or very advanced techniques, as long as it doesn't take money out of another instructors pocket. So help me understand the kind of things you'd like to see me teach. Thank you again, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your kind feedback with me.

[@ronaldhill6760]

@@DanielReachCreations Tips. Like when you are starting a project explaining the things that happen during the project that you can expect to come across and how to avoid mistakes or painting yourself into a corner. Order of assembly, etc. You are not only fun to watch but I suspect we have only seen a scratch in the surface of your abilities.

[@aaronspicer9258]

Love the video Daniel, always appreciate the wonderful ideas you give!

[@MakeNShakeNBake]

What timing! I'm currently laying out a desk mat of my own design and am planning to use a 5oz goucho leather as the face with a filler pad for structure. Lining it with suede is a fantastic idea! Love the videos, keep it up! I'll see about using that wax finished leather soon!

[@mikestoning5536]

That's the biggest mouse pad I've ever seen! I wonder how a decorative groove would have looked. Or border stamp? Many options but a simple clean look is nice too, especially with a quality piece of leather.

[@DanielReachCreations]

LOL! Most expensive mouse pad ever too! Before I did the project, I played around with the leather quite a bit to see what it was capable of in terms of stamping, carving, and such. Because of the waxy base, its very difficult to case, which means tooling is a real challenge. It didn't want to cut smoothly with a swivel knife and the stamps really took a lot of force to get a good impression. I spent multiple hours trying to come up with a way to add a design. In the end, I'm glad I didn't...I really liked the clean simple look of the leather with a single stitch line around it.

[@daverooni7763]

Great video, I love these types of projects.

[@oh8wingman]

When you are placing the upper layer on the lower layer to glue the two together there is an old trick used by carpenters when making counter tops with formica. Cover the lower layer with waxed paper running crosswise before you lay the upper layer down. Contact cement will not stick to waxed paper so when you have your layers aligned to one another all you do is hold the layers down with one hand and pull the first strip of waxed paper by drawing them to the side allowing the leather to come together and bond. Once they are bonded you can roll the top layer back on itself and remove the remaining strips one at a time bonding as you go.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Interesting. Have you tried it? I''m honestly not sure how well it would work. It could work really well, or go horribly wrong. If you try it with a leather project, let me know. I'd be curious how it turns out.

[@adventureDad1976]

Thanks for your videos!! I learn so much from your team

[@artfulcoyote]

Nice project, havent seen one in while. thats definitely a much better version 🙂

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

Another great video and idea. My experience when using pliers (needle nose or traditional) my grip on the pliers needs to be tighter than when I use parallel jaw pliers. The parallel jaw pliers I have has brass jaws and do not mar the stitching needle. Occasionally applying bees wax on the needle helps. Thanks for a wonderful idea for a gift, my son will like it for his gaming computer. Thanks for sharing.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Good tip! Thanks.

[@mariasaha8303]

Looks great!

[@jaredk6428]

Was listening in the other room and had to laugh at how close some accent/verbal behaviors sound to Chuck. That said, great video and great tips. Beautiful easy project.

[@DanielReachCreations]

Two southern boys! LOL He's from Ga, I'm originally from Alabama. Glad you enjoyed the project!

[@Gunn4u]

I would love to see more about the die pens. Very nice project.

[@DanielReachCreations]

We just put out a video a few weeks ago highlighting them. I'm also using them in a lot of the projects in the future. 🙂

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

We'll link the video here for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjbgJdooa95nNk

[@Gunn4u]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply thank you so much for the link.

[@michael-jackson-helsinki]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply I am interested in purchasing a few of these custom made mats from you. Please contact me.

[@JohnTBlock]

A simple but elegant project! Good job, Amigo! 😊

[@DarrellSeaman1]

😊😊 thank you for this video great idea foe gift project

[@FuriedHearts]

Oh my GOD. I would absolutely LOVE something like this for a Yugioh card playing game mat. Have you ever considered making game mats for card games like this? With the card rectangles stamped into the leather? I never even considered this idea until randomly stumbling on this channel/video and seeing this mat. (New here by the way. I know nothing about leather working. I stumbled on your channel when researching tracing film vs paper). Anyways, just wanted to say I love this mat and that you could sell those game mats for a lot of money!

[@sergelecluse0001]

Very nice project. Thanks for sharing it with us. 👍

[@lynxlady5355]

Best practices for cutting leather: Yes, Please!

[@scooteroo]

Yes please on a video about the refillable markers. Thanks.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjbgJdooa95nNksi=P1fNnLrZ_YYP4R19

[@nathanarnold8802]

Great video, thanks. A quick video onloadding those markers would be cool too.

[@jackiemitchell4418]

Please make a video to show how to sharpen the corner knives.

[@keatswoodworks5107]

Loved this! Great simple project can’t wait to make one. To what length did you cut the stitching thread?

[@alaskankare]

could the buffalo take a stamp? would have been a nice object for a border.

[@DanielReachCreations]

I tried. The challenge that I ran into was that because its waxed, its very hard to case. I thought maybe I would put a decorative cut pattern into it. The edges of the cuts puckered and rippled because of the inability to case it properly. Great minds think a like though!🙂

[@matthewmillar3804]

You don't run into problems with putting gum trag over the wax? I thought that would give you some issues with consistency of the gum trag

[@DanielReachCreations]

Never had an issue with it. Just make sure you burnish the wax in good before you add the gum trag.

[@sutach]

why you use wax before tokonole? I thought that you should use only 1 layer of wax on top of other layers, so dye>toko>sanding>dye>toko>wax to protect from water and smooth shine. I think wax decrease the adhesion of tokonole

[@james2592OldLeatherSmith]

OLD Leather Smith here, Excellent Video easy 4 A beginner 2 follow Daniel, Suggestions, I use in my shop, A water bottle with a 1/8 hole spreads the glue easier with less mess, wax paper between contact cement makes it easier 2 adjust the pieces with out them sticking together, a buck stitch would look good 2, I use Maine Threads Made in the U.S.A. and very Strong in lots of Colors. Sorry 4 So loooong. Just things I use. GOD'S BLESSINGS ✝️🥎🙃

[@nanparsons]

like to know more about the edging markers

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

See if this video helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjbgJdooa95nNksi=T2jfuD8U1QdUkYKs

[@McArid]

Why the lacing chisels instead of the diamond ones?

[@DanielReachCreations]

I just like the way they handle and the hole that they leave. Other than that, I don't have a reason for it.

[@McArid]

Alrighty, thank you

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

Mr. Reach, sounds like another video on how the various chisels add variation to how stitching is done. Example round holes are preferred when stitching baseball leather covers to diamond chisels. Wonder which style chisel would work well when stitching a double loop pattern and the look whether using lace or thread?

[@DanielReachCreations]

@@1a1u0g9t4s2u Thats a good idea...That would make a great video. In general...round holes for things under a lot of tension. Straight holes for things that aren't "load bearing."

[@hazcat640]

You're going to be dealing with 45 feet of thread when you start sewing!

[@DanielReachCreations]

If you tried to do it all in one go, you would! lol. I think I broke it up into 3 segments of thread.

[@hazcat640]

@@DanielReachCreations Do you have a tutorial on how to do that? It always looks obvious when I run short and have to tie off then continue the thread run.

[@DanielReachCreations]

@hazcat640 I can add that to the list. Happy to do that. Great idea. 🙂

[@monikasturm2575]

I struggle with biting the bullet on cutting into my nice leather stock. I measure it over and over and stress because I'm so worried about messing up the ... 🫤