Jim L. Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Hello All, I'm sorry if this topic has already been beaten to death here, but I'm finishing up my Roubo and trying to decide how to attach the suede for the vises- it seems like there are a lot of conflicting opinions. Marc used 3m spray adhesive, but I read a few forum posts saying that it doesn't hold up well over time. Benchcrafted recommends contact cement, but I read a few other posts that THAT doesn't hold up well. I would appreciate hearing from a few of you guys that built the bench years ago- which adhesive did you use, and has anything come loose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 After having a few years with the bench I can confirm that the 3m adhesive doesn't hold up well, as others have said. It works fine, but you'll eventually have the corners peeling away. I switched to contact cement at the urging of a friend and that seems to hold way better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim L. Posted January 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 After having a few years with the bench I can confirm that the 3m adhesive doesn't hold up well, as others have said. It works fine, but you'll eventually have the corners peeling away. I switched to contact cement at the urging of a friend and that seems to hold way better. Thanks for the update! When you used the contact cement, did you have to apply it to both the wood and the suede and let it dry for a while like the bottle suggests, or can you just apply it to the wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Apply it to both surfaces and let it dry to the level explained in the instructions. The nature of contact cements leaves a slightly flexible joint which allows materials of different qualities to be bonded. Flexible leather and more ridgid wood will expand and contract at different rates. Eventually you may need to use a solvent and peel the leather to replace it or clean it up and re-glue it. Contact cement is much better for this than anything else I can think of. Anytime you are unsure of using a glue or finish make a test board. You should have some scraps of leather and wood, practice before you tackle the real thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Yeah definitely both sides. That might be why some folks don't get good results. Applying to one side makes it more or less "removable." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbancourt Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 I used contact cement on both surfaces for my Moxon, and it has held up well for almost two years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morganew Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Anyone just not bother with the leather at all? Do you get significantly more dents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Moxon - both sides Roubo leg - chop only Attachment - contact cement; apply to both surfaces, 30mins to setup, then press together for 8 hrs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 You may need a couple coats to fill the leather/ wood with the contact cement. It took a couple on the leather strops that I have made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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