Hi Mario,  I recently replace the 'leather' on the followers of
a Duo-Art steamboat pump.  I used thick Cabretta leather.  The real
'trick' to getting the leather to stay on the follower was to cut it
at an odd angle.  It's too difficult to explain in words so I created
a small diagram (see attached image file).

To prevent the tapered edges from lifting, I used a tiny tack (1/8"
in length) and knocked it in far enough that it was below the level
of the leather.  It did not 'tick'.  (Naturally, the leather was glued
to the follower with hot hide glue, shiny side out.)

Then I coated the leather with dry graphite.  The end result was very
quite.

Musically,

John A. Tuttle
http://www.player-care.com/

 [ I'll place the illustration at http://mmd.foxtail.com/Pictures/
 [ Thanks, John.  -- Robbie