leather wrap question.

[Cue Crazy]

First off let me say that I don't usually do leather wraps only linen, so that's the reasoning for My question here. I just did an "A" joint repair on a cue, and need to put the old leather wrap back on. Who ever did the wrap originally used some kind of rubber contact cement on both the base and seam, so I was able to easily remove the wrap without damaging It before doing repair. That was nice because I'm trying to keep the cost down on this one. Now That I have finished the repair I need to put the wrap back on. Everything seems like It will match up like It did, but I need to get some glue. I'm wondering what glue I should use? I've watched some instructional videos in the past, and if I remember correctly there were 2 different glues used with the glue at the seam being more permanent. Obviously that wasn't the case with the one that I was able to remove so easily, but It seemed to be holding up well until the "A" joint cracked. Anyhow hoping that some members could share what glues are good for this? The easier to work with the better.

 

[Trent]

Rubber cement or Elmers white glue is what I typically use.

 

[DD Custom Cues]

I use weldwood contact cement

 

[rhncue]

I use weldwood contact cement

I used to use Weldwood contact cement but upon the recommendation of Mike Webb I switched to Elmers. Glad that I did, much easier and forgiving. I must say though that it's hard to believe that the leather can be used over again.

Dick

 

[scdiveteam]

Titebond with about 10% water.

 

[cuejo]

I use top bond contact cement

 

[rhncue]

Titebond with about 10% water.

If you use Titebond I bet there are a lot of mechanics cussing you out if the wrap needs to be changed as Titebond holds way to aggressively, imo.

Dick

 

[Cue Crazy]

Thank You all for the suggestions.

 

[Cue Crazy]

I used to use Weldwood contact cement but upon the recommendation of Mike Webb I switched to Elmers. Glad that I did, much easier and forgiving. I must say though that it's hard to believe that the leather can be used over again.

Dick

What kind of Elmers, wood or white? I think Weldwood may be what was originally on there originally. As far as using It over again, that I will still have to see about, but It looks Like It may be possible. I was trying to repair for under the value of the cue as a favor for someone, so I didn't replace the entire handle the way It probably should have been done. The splits were minor hairline cracks that didn't go very deep, so all I did was squeeze glue in them, clamp with a hose clamp, and then sleeve a couple of inches with phenolic. The leather came off very clean, nothing left behind except for a little cement. I can almost put the leather back on without any glue, but It doesn't have quite enough stick left to hold It on permanently. Here's a picture after gluing the joint back together. this was taken before cleaning the edge of the groove up but It gives the basic idea of how I did the repair. the cue was toast before this, because replacing the handle would have outweighed the value of the cue, and the guy did not want to go there at that cost. The cue is solid now, and no bad sounds or anything. I think the forearm would break before the handle If It happened again. I had a fun time getting It apart. It had a alloy screw in there, and as you know they don't conduct heat very well, so I had to drill a hole in the handle to stick a hot iron to the screw, and eventually that loosened the glue enough. The sleeve covers the hole that was left behind.

 

[Cue Crazy]

Just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. Here's a picture of the wrap reattached. I still need to polish It, but looks like It turned out better then I thought It would. Reusing the old wrap was not really that easy at all, but I used the Elmers, so maybe It was more forgiving as mentioned here, and therefore easier then It would have been with contact adhesive. You can see It here and there upon close inspection, but the seam turned out much better then It could have. For sure a fresh wrap would have blended better though. either way I warned of much worse on the seam, and that was not an issue for the owner, so I believe he will be satisfied with the end result. He was just amazed and happy that I was even able to fix the cue for him. he didn't think It could be done. The way I saw It, It wasn't so much if It could be done, It was more of trying to keep the costs down for him.

I still had more work into then I'll get paid for, but I got another experience out of It. Not sure why I haven't done one after all this time, but I think I'll finally start putting leather wraps on some of My cues for practice. I have the confidence to do a passable job, but want to learn to perfect It, so yet another venture....

Anyhow thanks to all who gave advice.