Anyone into leather?

[Matchless]

I need to make eight leather gaiters for the rear axle on my 1944 6x4 Austin K6, I tried Cheshire Leather but they declined to quote, Halfords are out of stock so it looks like I may be making them! 8" od, 4" id, about 2 1/4" high, rather like a Bundt cake mould, I would need to get someone to sew a strip around both edges to stop the leather pulling out from under the clips, and a flap at the joint, I suspect they are formed in one piece and then cut to enable installation over the axle tubes, I am thinking that I would turn up a piece of hardish wood into a flat bottom donut shape and fit say three legs to get it up off the bench, then drape a circle of wet leather over it and attach weights to the lower edges, but what leather?? I want it to retain it's shape but to remain pliable. Veg tan, Chrome tan? cow, cat, monkey.......... I have no real idea what I am looking for!

 

[OJCar]

See if the local Rabbi has any offcuts that might suit ...

 

[Barking Mat]

Whatever happened to that lady on the forum, who did leatherwork ?

Name escapes me.

 

[oldbikedavey]

Sounds like one for a load of old cobblers.....

 

[masleeve]

Whatever happened to that lady on the forum, who did leatherwork ?

Name escapes me.

@mrsbruce

 

[Matchless]

See if the local Rabbi has any offcuts that might suit ...

Not that large!

 

[Smallfry]

The Repair Shop ?

They do have great sentimental value.

 

[mike 109444]

Horse saddle makers maybe ?

 

[Fazerruss]

Alternatively try contacting this eBay seller. They make heavy duty stuff from leather

Pardon our interruption...

 

[dave h 2]

Bet you were supposed to dubbin those once a fortnight.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Calling @mrsbruce

 

[tom2207]

are they far off land rover steering swivel covers , the old military ones , some ones bound to do those ,,,

 

[Nomad]

I'm wondering if an old motorcycle jacket would be a cheap source of decent thick but supple leather?

Buy size XL if you need extra material to practice with.

Our local motorcycle shops have a nice chap who does repairs and tailoring on bike leathers, ask if the bikers in your area can recommend anyone like that in your area?

 

[Fazerruss]

I'm wondering if an old motorcycle jacket would be a cheap source of decent thick but supple leather?

Buy size XL if you need extra material to practice with.

Our local motorcycle shops have a nice chap who does repairs and tailoring on bike leathers, ask if the bikers in your area can recommend anyone like that in your area?

Or old welding gloves....

 

[Pond frog]

I think veg tan is what you need

 

[Dapph2]

are they far off land rover steering swivel covers , the old military ones , some ones bound to do those ,,,

They are called swivel joint gaiters or tractor housing gaiters .. Seem to recall that the old leather stuff I fitted on K9 s was heavily impregnated wi6th black military grade preserving grease .

It's likely that they will have been steam & pressure formed on a wooden or alloy die .

 

[Matchless]

Bet you were supposed to dubbin those once a fortnight.

They have actually lasted very well, 1944 was quite a while ago, the inner mounting flange has come away on almost all of them and some other damage, not that bad but really worth replacing at least every 80 years!

 

[Matchless]

They are called swivel joint gaiters or tractor housing gaiters .. Seem to recall that the old leather stuff I fitted on K9 s was heavily impregnated wi6th black military grade preserving grease .

It's likely that they will have been steam & pressure formed on a wooden or alloy die .

I have a steam wall paper stripper so could try that,

 

[Matchless]

I think veg tan is what you need

I am thinking the same but a lot of formed veg tan leather seems to bo very stiff, either try some or seek more advice!

 

[Matchless]

Or old welding gloves....




View attachment 519660

Too supple, and I need 8-10 square feet, or round feet.