The vegetable tanned leather was about ¼” thick, but it is inconsistent in it’s thickness (1d). There needs to be abundant clamps to ensure the leather does not flop around when cutting (1e). I did not put a back board under the leather. I would advise in putting a back board under the leather, and set the depth of the X-Carve to make sure it cuts into the back board. The leather is cut from the suede side (cutting from the top grain side will cause the leather to tear. Leather is easy for the X-carve to cut, so set the speed and depth to one of the presets for any of the softer wood.
The lack of a back board left with some of the details on the leather and ebony pieces uncut. The Braille details on the leather pieces were poked out with an awl (1f) and a drill. The uncut ebony parts where cleaned out with a knife and chisel (1g).
Estimated time: 120 minutes
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Estimated time: 180 minutes
Estimated time: 60 minutes
Estimated time: 90 minutes
Estimated time: 5 minutes
Estimated time: 90 minutes
Three coats of shellac were applied onto the top grain side and edge of the leather (8e). The shellac was allowed to dry 5h between coats and 24h after the last coat.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Estimated time: 30 minutes