case cover project?

[John Bertotti]

Well, I have some nice leather. Some very supple cowhide tanned like buckskin so it is very very supple would actually make a great shirt or jacket. I also have some thinner tooling leather, harder less flexible but still would make a nice case cover. I am not sure which I will use yet but my question is about insulating material. I can get metalized polyester in a sheet or plain old Thinsulate but I am not sure either would actually function as intended layered under the leather. My concern is how well it will breathe. Do any of you have any knowledge on this subject?

[Marty Jacobson]

Do mandolins need to breathe?

[John Bertotti]

Do mandolins need to breathe?

Undoubtedly!hahaha
My concern is winter time when we are very dry here and I humidify my cases. I think if it doesn't breath the more humid air could cause mildew or mold. I have smelled cases that were obviously mildewy. Might just be one of those things I will have to work around and make sure I open the cases every cou8ple days to air it out but in truth, I doubt I would leave the case cover on unless I was traveling so it all might be a moot point anyway. In the end, I might use some sheepskins I have instead then I wouldn't be using any insulating material at all those sheepskins insulate great on their own.

[Marty Jacobson]

I get what you're saying. But mildew and such would be caused by over-humidification. As long as you are keeping the humidity in your case between 35-55% RH, whether it is breathable or not makes no difference. If it's breathable, you'll just be adding more air (a few drops per hour, maybe) to the surrounding environment. A sealed case can still be at 35-55% RH, it will just take less moisture. Many of the best cases are hermetically sealed. I would argue that it gives you more control. Just don't over-humidify, and you'll be fine.