y ch blues

[EHILBERT@midd.middlebury.edu]

Joseph,
      You received the following comments from Vince concerning the
tightening of knuckle leather.  I also just responded earlier to your request
of me for this information.  I would respectfully differ with Vince on several
points he made.

He said,
>Cut the knuckle leather through to the core close to the shank, on
the side closer to the hammer.  You may have to cut about 1/16th "
of the covering off, as the extra amount of stretching wilcovering too long to go around the
core of the knuckle.  Then, using
hot glue from a glue gun, put glue only on the end of the covering,
stretch it over the core, hold it there with your fingers for about
10 seconds, or use a spring clamp with the rubber on the ends
removed, and you are done.

      I would differ in the following respects:
1) I would suggest not cutting the leather shorter before gluing for two
reasons. First you may not cut the right amount and then how do you add it
back on?  And secondly, and more importantly, by leaving the leather its
full length initially, it will give your clamp (modified as described
in the earlier post) a much better chance to hold the leather in a stretched
tight condition since the clamp is then pressing the leather taut and not
just holding the leather against the knuckle.

2) I would not trust hot glue from a glue gun.  It has a tendency to stretch,
move, and otherwise not hold parts securely under tension - and that is what
you are trying to do - hold the leather under tension.  We use hot hide glue
for this purpose, but if you are uncomfortable with it then you could use

Titebond or another good glue which will hold up well under tension.

3) As for the spring clamps, again as described earlier, I would angle the
ends of the clamps (rubber removed) inwards so that the tips are pressing
inwards at the juncture of the knuckle and the shank.  If you do not make
this easy modification the leather will not be pressed up and into the
knuckle towards the core.  It would simply be pressed against the side of the
knuckle and this will not impart the tension you are trying to gain.

Again, good luck and we'll await your comments.

Any further questions, just ask.

Ed Hilbert RPT