Wet Molded Leather Tray Kit - CNC Leatherwork

Thanks for supporting my work!
After a bit of a hiatus I am back in the workshop and back to creating videos. It's been a bit of a journey to get here with some health challenges getting in my way but I am happy to say that I'm on the mend and ready to commit to publishing videos more regularly.
In today's video I walk you through how I put my ShopBot Desktop Max to work doing some leatherwork! yes, that's right - LEATHERWORK! I cover the details of cutting a wet molding jig for making leather catch-all trays. It's a dead simple leatherwork project and possibly an even easier CNC job but the results are awesome!
If you don't have a CNC or don't care to take the time to follow this video to make your own you can order a wet molding kit from my new website!
www.butlerbuilt.us
I have a variety of molds available and thanks to the wonders of CNC they're ready to ship direct to your door in just a couple days!
If you're interested in the tools I use in this video you can check out the links below:
- Linoleum Carving Block amzn.to/3Lj5TmY
- Ink Stamp Pad - amzn.to/3Dn2p0a
- 9/16” or 14mm Corner Round Punch amzn.to/3wKxcm0
- Edge Beveler amzn.to/36Wnbas
- Tokonole Edge Burnishing Cream amzn.to/3tMbDjl
- Edge Burnisher (traditional option) - amzn.to/36EoV8B
- Edge Burnisher (Dremel option) - amzn.to/3iL82f8
- Dremel (I use the Pet Grooming Dremel for leatherwork. It’s a cheap option for a cordless tool!) amzn.to/3wOEuVZ
- Fiebings Pro Dye (brown) - amzn.to/3wJIk2F
- Wool Daubers - amzn.to/3tM2fMp
To see the other tools I use in my shop you can check out my Amazon Store at the link below:
www.amazon.com/shop/benjaminb...
Affiliate Links - I may earn a small commission if purchases are made using the links above. The fact that they are Affiliate links does not change the price or otherwise impact your purchase in any way and it is a great way to support my work while purchasing items you were likely going to buy anyway.

[@glynesmewton7033]

I am so sorry that you have this chronic illness, my nephew has it too and same path as you! Keep well, thank you for the video!

[@118blades4]

Awesome explanation of how it all works. 👍🏻👏🏻

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

Thanks Mark! Preciate you brother!

[@ViktorHultarp]

Great work :D

[@johnsabarese7103]

If you’re oversizing the stretcher by 3/8” you could use a 3/16” bit. Cut on the outside of of the mold. This will cut both the stretcher and the mild in one pass from one piece of wood. Saving time, materials and this way the parts are matched set.

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

100% realized that just after posting this video 🤦🏻‍♂️ But good lookin out!

[@22Jerid]

Glad your back and feeling well. Really enjoyed the video! Jerid (Echo Blades)

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

Thanks brother

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

Just found channel and subbed. Good timing you’re back. Sorry about your troubles. I go through something quite similar. I just got a beginners leather kit and a tray mold. (From wicket and Craig actually! Going in blind but I work with hands for a living so hope I learn enough to get started here and other vids. :). Trying to see what weight leather to get too. Thx for info here. I love my tray and use daily for years. Always wanted to make them. So bit the bullet. Should be fun and frustrating. Lol. I’ve already got 20 diff leather dyes got my other gig and some tooling. But time to make some mistakes! 😂

[@davidcochran934]

Just came across this video and it was very helpful. I have a cnc machine so making my molds would be a plus. Excited to try your techniques. I did want to ask where you get your 3/8" plywood. My local box store doesn't carry it. Just curious.

[@bryanabsher2546]

Good stuff!

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

Thanks brother! I've been thinking about maybe doing something like this for gun and/or knife holsters. Do you think something like that might work? It would obviously have to be a different style "stretcher". I was thinking maybe using something like Kaizen Foam (a moderately dense layered foam folks often use for tool walls etc. if you're not familiar with it you can find it at www.fastcap.com/) and a backer board. The foam would push the wet leather into all the nooks and crannies and I could CNC out the shape of the gun or knife. Just trying to get a little creative with ideas 🤷🏻‍♂️👍🏼

[@bryanabsher2546]

@@ButlerBuiltWoodworking I’d suggest starting with a commonly used knife and go from there! The problem you’ll most likely face is the multitude of requests for different items… I’d love to have all the guns and gear to accommodate everyone’s request onhand but that’s not gonna happen!

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

@@bryanabsher2546 Yep 100% that is for sure the one thing that's held me back from taking knife sheath orders. Every single one will be a completely custom job. Mind you that can be a good thing and variety is the spice of life and all that LOL BUT I've spent enough time building bespoke furniture for wishy-washy clients to know that while it can spice things up, there is also that pain in the ace factor to each job HAHAHA The additional coordination/communication alone can eat ya alive ya know?

[@lindaaustin-morin7781]

Using natural veg tan, would you die before or after the wet molding process?

[@fierceflyer5]

Check your graphics on the conversion it’s wrong 👍🏻

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

DOH! It’s always the little things that bite ya in the butt isn’t it 😆Thanks for pointing it out! 🙏

[@dangerstenberger8072]

I looked on your website for the hexagon mold. Found the hexagon spacer, but not the mold. Did I miss it somewhere?

[@ButlerBuiltWoodworking]

Hey Dan! I believe that one is on me. I never moved it from a draft state to published. I will message you later this morning when I have a chance to enable it. Sorry for the error and thanks for your patience!

[@dangerstenberger8072]

@@ButlerBuiltWoodworking THANKS!!!!