Crazy bench-hone idea

[FiReSTaRT]

What if I cut a piece of smooth ceramic tile and mounted leather on it? It should be flat and resistant to warping. Any reasons for why I should not do it?

[shavethebadger]

Sure. Why not.

You could also visit the dollar store or michaels crafts and pick up some magnet sheets. I picked up magnet sheets 8.5" x 11" for about $1. The sheets are light duty fridge magnet material and can easily be cut with scissors.

Cut the magnets to size, mount one on the tile, (or a piece of wood or metal) and make up two or three more in various grits of diamond paste on leather.

[FiReSTaRT]

That's a great idea, Matt. I'll definitely look into it. Planning on experimenting with several designs. I am assuming that pasted paddles take less pressure anyways. Now if I wanted to really stick the leather to the surface (or the magnet for that matter), could I use a construction adhesive like PL?

[shavethebadger]

I'm not familiar with PL. I think any basic white glue, epoxy, just about anything will do. With thick leather it's unlikely that the glue underneath with cause problems with the surface unless you've got a big glob of it.

[FiReSTaRT]

I'm talking about a thin coating of stuff that will hold a 5'x4' piece of drywall glued to a plaster wall with no other support necessary. It spreads easily, cures slowly and has an amazing holding ability. However once it cures, it becomes hard.

[ForestryProf]

I'm talking about a thin coating of stuff that will hold a 5'x4' piece of drywall glued to a plaster wall with no other support necessary. It spreads easily, cures slowly and has an amazing holding ability. However once it cures, it becomes hard.

You might want to consider contact cement. I've had very good luck with it in attaching leather to most surfaces.
Ed

[pea]

I'd go for a 2 part epoxy like aryldite or maybe contact adhesive?

[Joe Lerch]

This kind of thing is done all the time with sandpaper and plate glass, but I think a ceramic tile is really not flat enough. Something like granite or marble might be cause it's machined.

Also, it's not expensive to get a precision base from handamerican.com. THen, you can also get readymade leather inserts.

[FiReSTaRT]

Making our own is a part of the fun though. As I have a nice flat piece of marble, I dont' have to worry about the ceramic surface. My only concern will be the magnetic sheets as they're only 11" long.

[FiReSTaRT]

Correction.. They're 9" long. My biggest concern would be the adhesive backing. Should I clean the adhesive before using a contact cement or just leave it there?