[TheForge] Restoring bellows leather

Sat Mar 8 22:53:00 2003

I hope this is of some service to you.

I have a 6' bellows I am considering putting back into service. I began with propping the bellows open as much as the dried leather would permit and I hand rubbed neatsfoot oil into the leather three times in one day intervals. I then left it propped open for two weeks. It helped a great deal but the leather is not as supple as new leather, but it will do. Don't expect too much out of this old leather. It dries out and once that happens, use will cause it to crack and break fairly quickly. You could get by using it at demos occassionally, but the only solution for long-term use if the leather has dried out and springs leaks in several places is to redo it. Best of fortune to you.

Reynolds Cushman

 --- On Sat 03/08, Shannell Sugrue < [email protected] > wrote:
From: Shannell Sugrue [mailto: [email protected]]
To: [email protected]
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 13:18:21 +1030
Subject: [TheForge] Restoring bellows leather

I have a large bellows in need of some TLC and I guess linseed oil is the
thing to treat the leather with, is this right? do I need to dilute it at
all to help it soak in? The leather is pretty dryed up.

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