I'm restoring an OLD speed graphic and the leather is peeling off in places, any suggestions for re-attachment?

The subject of restoration seems to evoke more passion, hereabouts, than you might think. I shall risk denunciation to suggest, tentatively --

If the leather is intact, it can be restuck to the underlying wood or metal with "Weldwood" contact cement -- I knew a camera technician who swore by the stuff -- or "Pliobond," a good choice for anything flexible, like leather. I've had good luck with "Weldwood."

If the leather must be replaced, the difficult part is finding a very thin Morocco-grained leather that matches the other leather on the camera, or if you're replacing all of it, that matches the leather used on Graflex products at that time. Most Morocco leather that's readily available is a bit too thick. Bookbinders seem to know where to get the good stuff.

A couple of additional points --

For best results with "Weldwood," it's a good idea to get a bottle of the solvent made for that adhesive. The stuff tends to thicken and clump up, and you want it thin.

The applicator brush in the bottle is rather large, and tends to drip. A smaller stiff-bristle brush, or one of those foam-tipped swabs made for cleaning magnetic-tape heads, can be a better choice. Do watch out for dripping; removing "Weldwood" from places where you didn't want it is sort of tedious!

It's often helpful to remove as much of the old glue as you can, before applying the new adhesive. This is especially true if someone already reglued the leather. "Goof-Off" and "Goo Gone" are valuable aids to this endeavor.

Thanks for the suggestions, and while some of it is pretty beat up, all the original leather is still there. It's just beginning to come unstuck.

Thanks again!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:30 ]</font>

Charles, is that a true contact cement? Water based? Wow! Never heard of it, but would sure like to try some. The solvent based stuff keeps drying out on me in the bottle and cleanup is not fun, although it usually does roll off most things...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:31 ]</font>

Ahhh, thanks.

But I think I could use slightly less than a gallon

I'll have to search around for it...

There are many brands of water based contact cement. The last I recently bought was from a True Value hardware store. One pint, enough to last me for years.

Mr Bluebird
I have repaired/restored a 100 + Graflex and
Graphic cameras over the last 25 years! I have always used Elmers white glue with a damp rag to wipe the excess...with total success, and never any complaints from anyone I have done work for! The material used by the factory is a man made leather substitute...very thin, very consistant in thickness and impossible to duplicate with real leather! Email me and I will send a photo of a table full of my re-leathered camera collection, all of them restored between 1982/1984 (and I still have all of the SLR's shown)
bsaunders1@bak.rr.com
Have a nice day..........Bert

And the nice thing about Elmer's is that, AFAIK, it's totally benign, being manufactured from dairy products (Elmer is Elsie the Borden Cow's consort---that's his likeness on the label). I once ran across a formula for making this stuff at home, but of course I didn't write it down, so I still have to keep buying it. It does have a very long shelf life if properly stored, and as Bert mentioned, it's water soluble (so keep your camera out of the shower).

Bert, is it possible to post that photo of your cameras to the board? I'm sure that lots of us would love to see your work!

Henry,
I havent been able to post photos since this new forum started again in 2001, would be happy if someone with more grey matter than I have is willing to do it for me!
Bert

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 21:31 ]</font>

My collection in 1984
http://www.freeimghosting.com/images/Bert/coll2.jpg
This was my collection in 1984, have 2 floor to ceiling closets full of cameras and camera parts! Inventory list shows 28 working cameras, and am guessing at 12/14 stripped and awaiting repairs/restoration!
Current project is to save from disaster, a wooden Crown View that I bought for $55...it arrived as a pile of broken pieces, a real disaster!
Photo shows...Lft to Rt
4X5 D W/HORSEMAN LIGHT METER
4X5 B
4X5 D
3X4 B
4X5 AUTO
3 1/4X 5 1/2 3A
4X5 D
MAMIYA RB-67.....KOWA SUPER 66
2X3 MIN SPEED
AND (3) OLYMPUS 35mm cameras
center one is a OM3 w/a flash next to it!
Thanks for your help Charles, couldnt make Photo Net work for me??? This sight was a simple cut and paste!
Sold the RB-67 and Super 66 cameras, and only have an Olympus OM4 in 35mm now!
Bert

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bertsaunders on 2005-06-26 12:33 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bertsaunders on 2005-06-26 12:34 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bertsaunders on 2005-06-26 12:39 ]</font>

Beautiful line-up, Bert! Thanks to you and Charles for taking the time and making the effort to share this image with the group!