Best glues for leather, suede, and other porous materials

I checked the Index for this topic and there is a thread on leather and leather substitutes, but no discussion about adhesives pertaining to them. And yes, I was hoping to get some quick advice because I'm going shopping for supplies this weekend.

So, what are good--if not overwhelmingly excellent--glues/adhesives for securing suede-to-suede, leather-to-suede, or leather-to-leather bonds? I've worked with several different types of glues in my personal costuming efforts or for college projects, but now that I'm doing something that I hope to make permanent, I want to use the best possible materials. In this case I'm working on a suede-to-suede bond (one is faux suede and the other is real, but they have almost the same texture).

I used contact cement when I made my Leia belt, and it's amazing--it permanently bonded sheet metal to leather, and that thing's seen some serious wear and abuse over the past year without anything falling off. But I'm not sure how wonderful contact cement would be on purely soft, porous suede. I would also think harsh, foul-smelling toxic glues wouldn't be too good either (would they just eat through over time? ) I've heard of Gorilla Glue being an uber-glue for many things, but again, I don't know if that's overkill. Silicone fabric glues are okay for certain light jobs, but I've found it to be too easy to pull apart or undo. In short, they suck.

Yes, the project in question is something that's going to be worn at least several times for extended periods of time, so it has to hold up to considerable wear and tear.

 

Have you considered Sewing it? I Sew leather often and it always works well for me.

 

From the Tandy website

Can I use an adhesive to glue leather together?

Yes, we suggest that you use a rubber cement when a temporary bond in needed. If you are looking for a more permanent bond, a contact type or non-toxic flexible cement is your best choice.


From the "Household products database"
Brand Name: Aleenes Leather and Suede Glue
Form: liquid
Product Category: Hobby/Craft >> Adhesive >> leather/suede
Hobby/Craft >> Leather >> adhesive
Home inside >> Adhesive >> fabric
Home inside >> Leather >> adhesive
Home inside >> Adhesive >> leather

Customer Service No.: 800-438-6226

 

Yes, there will be sewing involved as well--but I'm also having to attach suede to a shoe. Let's just say that down there close to the sole is way too impenetrable to sew together, at least with the equipment we have. I'll be working with a friend who suggested drilling small holes to put reinforced thread through, but glue will be supplementing as a back-up hold.

Thanks for your help. The Aleene's glue looks like a keeper--it's certainly cheap enough to spend on and try.

 

For attaching the leather to a shoe, I have used the clear, smelly glues that go by a variety of names but are the same ingredient (Shoegoo, E-6000, Crafters goo, household goo...). Shoegoo is meant to repair athletic shoes that are falling apart. It holds exceptionally well and can put up with the flexing strain that happens when you walk.

 

I would suggest experimenting a bit if possible.

I typically use "Barge" cement for my leather stuff, but it can dry out and crack a bit if you are using a thin leather. Although for longterm bonding and durability, it is what I use every time. I wouldn't use it on suede unless I tested it, which I have not...I am not sure it would be your best option, but perhaps worth looking into?

The 6000 stuff is pretty good as a rule,I have found it to be flexible, but have not used it on any type of leather work. Great product as a whole, and certainly worth a try.

There is a product...I think they call it triple xxx, or bond xxx, ?? that I have seen at the Tandy store. I think it is meant more for the type of application that you are thinking of...I cannot vouch for it, as I have not acutally used it for any type of leather application, but my leather guy at the
Tandy in Denver suggested trying it out, and he has been more than helpful to me over the past several years. Not sure if any of this is helpful.....

 

Barge is best, but highly toxic. I worked on a production of "Crimes of the Heart" once a few years back, and there's a bit in the show about one of the ladies fixing her boot heel. The director asked the craft shop to send whatever she would really use to fix such a thing as a prop, and she refused, since one of the ladies in the cast (Not the one handling the prop) was nursing. . .just a hint on how toxic it is, if you choose to use it, be smart and use it outdoors or with a chemistry-style fume hood.

 

Phew. Well, I happen to have a giant tube of E-6000, so I'll be trying that out first. That stuff smells terrible too, but it hasn't killed me yet, so using it is a bit less scary.