What is the best glue for fabric inside a luggage oak & leather rifle case

I have one damaged fitted case for a double rifle, and another I want to re-configure for another double rifle. What I would like to know is what is the best glue to use to glue the fabric to the wood without the glue bleeding through the wool felt and/or damaging the rifle from chemicals?

These are the Oak & LEATHER fitted luggage cases!

I believe the makers use that rubber glue that the leather makers use, but wouldn't swear to it..I would think one of the spray glues would work best, and if sprayed lightly would not leak through..I have used them to glue thin leather to wool on saddle blankets and they worked..

and edit: always try it with a sample first would be some good advise.

Thanks Ray!

Believe it or not, there is actually a "fabric glue" that is designed not to bleed through. You can get it at just about any fabric store. I had to make a similar repair on a Browning fitted gun case. The stuff worked great.

BEFORE YOU ASK: NO, I don't spend time in fabric stores. My wife does and I got the glue from her.

Originally Posted by Ray Atkinson

I believe the makers use that rubber glue that the leather makers use, but wouldn't swear to it..I would think one of the spray glues would work best, and if sprayed lightly would not leak through..

I know this thread is old, but in case anyone was looking this up Ray is correct regarding the use of "leather glue", however it is not "rubber". The rubber glue is a low contact glue used to temporarily affix pieces, padding, etc... before stitching. (allows you to adjust it easily) The preferred glue would be "leather contact cement" which is water based, therefore it has no caustic solvents that will release and attack metal/wood surfaces. Additionally once it dries it is non-permeable, so it is resistant to moisture. Below is a link to a popular brand used-

Can w/ Brush- (Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement)

Tandy Leather Factory - Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Cement



Spray can- (Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Adhesive Spray 12 oz.)

Tandy Leather Factory - Tanners Bond Craftsman Contact Adhesive Spray 12 oz.



I post this because of the knowledge I gained from my Dad. My father is a master carpenter and for many years built pistol boxes, gun boxes, shadow boxes, cabinets, etc. At one time he had a contract building custom boxes for black powder/percussion dueling pistols, they were presented as service awards.

You can also find an "archival" mounting adhesive at most hobby shops, be sure it is for "archival" use. Some adhesives found in fabric stores are okay, but may have harsh solvents or are not resistant to moisture.,

The reason for using a leather glue is that wood is similar to leather in that it is affected by moisture or humidity. That is why adhesives fail or de-laminate.

Hope this helps

[tried to add pics, but didn't load right.]

Xpraetor, Feel free to email me the pictures and I will add them to your post for you.

Thanks Jerome, I got it sorted out. had to re-size the pics.

Below are pics of one of the a boxes I referenced in my previous post. It is a derringer box- one of the "low grade" examples (made of Bass wood w/ synthetic velvet), the dove tail joints were made using a jig not cut by hand. It is none the worse for the wear. Glue was used on the bottom half (to hold the fabric in the recess for the pistol & edges of the top.