seekwhence Posted June 15, 2013 Share #1 Â Posted June 15, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello I was wondering if anyone on the forum knows of someone who is very good and very reputable with repairing old Leica camera cases. I have a gray, Luftwaffe marked case with a seam that's come apart. I thought about using a leather specific glue (i.e. Barge Cement) to fuse the 2 sides, but a fellow Leica collector told me it would be better to have the case re-stitched. If anyone on the forum can suggest someone who can expertly do this, please let me know! Thanx in advance! Â Dave (seekwhence) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 15, 2013 Posted June 15, 2013 Hi seekwhence, Take a look here Leica case re-stitching help needed.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jc_braconi Posted June 15, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted June 15, 2013 Hello, I restored by myself some cases but it is a hard work, I think Pete "doubice" will explain or illustrate how it is stiched and why it is so fragile. I re stiched them by the crossing way and done this because I do not found any to to the job Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 15, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted June 15, 2013 I've also restitched a few Leica cases. It isn't hard, but takes patience. Work carefully - my fingers have almost healed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyelm Posted June 15, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted June 15, 2013 I have used one of these quite successfully. Â Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl | Stewart Manufacturing, Inc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted June 16, 2013 Share #5  Posted June 16, 2013 Hello,......... I think Pete "doubice" will explain or illustrate how it is stiched and why it is so fragile........  Maybe 'Pete' will explain but, 'doubice' will not,,, Never have done it myself but seem to recall that somebody on this forum explained how it is done. It could have very well been 'Pete'.....  In this day and age, I am quite sure that a Google search with the right key words will bring a myriad of suggestions on how to do it. A 10 second search brought this, among many others: http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=stitching  Cheers,  Jan (doubice) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted June 16, 2013 Share #6 Â Posted June 16, 2013 this doc may help, I have never done it yet, looks simple. I believe, that using bent needles migt be even easier jerzy Restiching_Leica_cases[1].pdf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 16, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted June 16, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sorry Jan I missed the coma and made some confusion, seems you posted some time ago the design of different stiching but I am getting old and must be forgived Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted June 17, 2013 Share #8  Posted June 17, 2013 ....... but I am getting old and must be forgived  J.C., you are hereby forgiven.  It is very well possible that I indeed posted something about stitching cases. However, I am getting old as well and don't remember if or when I did it.....  Cheers,  Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete hogan Posted June 17, 2013 Share #9 Â Posted June 17, 2013 Anyone looking for an easier fix than sewing should try Loctite "Super Glue ULTRA Gel Control". Leather specific. Outdoor, moisture, and freeze resistant. Some flexibility. No clamping, time for adjustment, but sets quickly. Â I've used it on a couple of old Leica cases, and it has worked well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SideB Posted June 17, 2013 Share #10 Â Posted June 17, 2013 I have repaired several leather ever ready cases. It is not difficult to do but preparation is important as is taking it slow and easy. I found reattaching the front flap the most difficult as you have to correctly align several holes that may already have thread in them. Very briefly: remove any broken thread from the bits you need to resew them use smal safety pins to realign the holes and keep the bits together. Take about a yard of thread and thread a fine needle at each end (the needle needs to be fine as you will be going through existing holes. A blunt needle may even be better as it will be less likely to catch or make new ones). Carefully pull half the thread through your starting point then sew the two pieces together. You can either alternate one stitch with each needle or sew one side then the other so the threads lock together. Every few stiches pull to make sure it is tight. When the stitching is complete tie it off and voila! Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
seekwhence Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share #11 Â Posted June 17, 2013 Thanx guys for all your useful suggestions and advice. I'm on the fence about what to do. Obviously, the last thing I want to happen is a to have a $2000 case change from looking "well used" to just plain unsightly. I should bite the bullet and try repairing it myself but to be honest - it scares me! I really want the new seams to line up exactly like the others and I also want the white thread to be as close to original as possible so that upon examination one couldn't tell a repair was made. That's a tall order for someone who has trouble simply sewing on a button! I suppose I will have to research the subject further and then decide. Again, I appreciate the help! Until next time... Â Dave (seekwhence) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SideB Posted June 20, 2013 Share #12 Â Posted June 20, 2013 I understand your reticence but unless you use glue or make fresh holes, neither of which is necessary, whatever you do can be undone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 21, 2013 Share #13  Posted June 21, 2013 Thanx guys for all your useful suggestions and advice. I'm on the fence about what to do. Obviously, the last thing I want to happen is a to have a $2000 case change from looking "well used" to just plain unsightly. I should bite the bullet and try repairing it myself but to be honest - it scares me! I really want the new seams to line up exactly like the others and I also want the white thread to be as close to original as possible so that upon examination one couldn't tell a repair was made. That's a tall order for someone who has trouble simply sewing on a button! I suppose I will have to research the subject further and then decide.Again, I appreciate the help! Until next time...  Dave (seekwhence)  Unlikely you will ever 'match' the thread colour exactly - the existing thread is 70-ish years old. I had a valuable leather camera case repaired by a saddler and the new thread was very evident - so I 'aged' it with saddle soap and leather dressing. Please disregard any advice to 'glue' the leather - no case, especially a collectable/rare case deserves such a fate.  I bought a vintage Nikon binocular last year complete with a tatty falling apart at the seams case and decided to restitch it myself. There are YouTube videos showing how to do this. You can use two needles or one needle - but I expect they are not called 'needles' - they are thicker than regular sewing needles. I restitched the whole case using one needle and was a two stage process as only half the existing holes were stitched first time around - followed by the other holes on the second pass. If you use two needles it's all done in one pass - but the end result is the same. I was not too bothered about matching the thread colour but I could have easily 'aged' a virgin thread beforehand using shoe polish or vegetable dye. I used a waxed thread which was already a reasonable match and was available in both black and brown at a local haberdasher. The stitching took several hours to complete (it's a big case) and I broke a couple of needles in the process but it was a very satisifying task and I probably saved at least £50 doing the job myself. A local saddler charged me £35 to repair the smaller camera case.  If you follow the existing holes and are patient it's a job worth trying yourself . You could consider practicing on a less valuable case first.  This is just one of the available YouTube videos showing case repair using two needles:   ... it might look complicated and time consuming but it's a surprisingly easy and logical process - albeit rather time consuming. Note the saddler states that he dyes the thread afterwards - but this could be done beforehand.  dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted June 21, 2013 Share #14  Posted June 21, 2013 If you follow the existing holes and are patient it's a job worth trying yourself . You could consider practicing on a less valuable case first. dunk I will give you a trick I imagined and used : I filled the existing holes with white skin cream that help you seeing the holes and grease the needle and the thread when passing through and preserve the risk of broken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Furst Posted June 22, 2013 Share #15 Â Posted June 22, 2013 I have restiched over 150 Leica camera and viewfinder cases over 15 years and have this recommendation. DO NOT USE GLUE! I have repaired many cases and I will not even try to repair one which has been glued. Why would I have to repair a case that has been glued? Because eventually the glued seam will come apart and then you have a case with the glue in the holes where the stiches were located and when you or someone tries to repair the case the correct way, with thread, the holes split (as they are filled with glue hardened thread) and now you have a really ugly case with broken seams! Â The key is to match the color of the stiching on your case. I go to a dress goods store and show the stiching, with case in hand, and have them match it. If you are able to match the thickness, color and type of the thread you are on you way to not being able to tell where you have stiched it and the original stiching. Â The most difficult job is restiching the nose on the case but this can be done too as the people above have stated, but you must be patient. I recommend that you take a so so case and practice on it, I think you will be surprised how well you can do this. I enjoy this so much that my fellow Leica Club members here in Korea (LeicaClub.net) always bring me their ratty cases and I give them back in fine condition. I Korea we call this service-no charge as I enjoy the challenge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete hogan Posted June 22, 2013 Share #16 Â Posted June 22, 2013 Glue isn't getting many votes -- wouldn't expect it to here. But if you do glue, use the good stuff. That would be the Loctite. Pliobond is ok but not as good, and it takes a couple of days to set up. Use modest amounts. I'm happy with my repairs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 22, 2013 Share #17 Â Posted June 22, 2013 Glue isn't getting many votes -- wouldn't expect it to here. But if you do glue, use the good stuff. That would be the Loctite. Pliobond is ok but not as good, and it takes a couple of days to set up. Use modest amounts. I'm happy with my repairs. Â Please ignore any advice to use glue - it will devalue your Leica leather case. And reduce the chances of you selling or part exchanging via a dealer or collector. Â The OP appears to have a scarce case which is worthy of being repaired properly. Â No glue is 'good stuff' for leather camera case repairs which require proper stitching. Â dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete hogan Posted June 22, 2013 Share #18 Â Posted June 22, 2013 Correct (re-stitching) for a valuable, collector-grade case to preserve its value and history. Â For user, worn Leica cases like mine gluing has been both effective and easier, and it has kept them from going in the trash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
seekwhence Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share #19  Posted June 24, 2013 Thanks again for all the great advice! I admire you fellows who have the skill and the patience to do such repairs yourselves. But I think I may pursue the professional approach. I found this company that does professional leather repair and restoration work:  Great Leather  If this company has customers that trust them with vintage WW2 leather bomber jackets worth as much, if not more than my case - then they may be just what I am looking for. I am sure they have the exact type of thread and the expertise to re-stich my case so that one couldn't tell a repair had been made. Until next time...  Dave (seekwhence) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted June 26, 2013 Share #20 Â Posted June 26, 2013 I've just had my old ERC M3 case repaired for a fiver by a local cobbler. Â The guy said that these old cases suffer from thread rot and eventually the whole case will fall apart but he did a good job restitching the old case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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