renegadelizard Report post Posted October 19, 2012 Hey all, i bought a number 1,2,3 and 6 burnisher from beary a few weeks ago and cant seem to get them to work...ive tried a cs orbourne #4, a keen edge beveller #3, and a number 2 crafttool..to get the edges as round as possible, .ive tried using beeswax/paraffin mix, glycerine soap, soap and water, and just plain water...ive tried sanding after edging, before edging, and both before and after...ive tried it on single layers of7/8 and 8/9 oz, double layers of 8 oz, 5/6 ounce, and 7-8 oz...every time and every way i try it the results are always the same...i get a good burnish on the parts that i edged off, but i always end up with a hairy stipe down the center...how do i get these things to work?..im at wits end here and not looking forward to standing in a cold garage burnishing with my drill press and dowel rod setup... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 19, 2012 What are you using for sanding? I used to have that problem quite a bit before I found the sanding method that works best for me and also changed to a wet rag with saddle soap for burnishing. 1.) use preferred edge beveler on both edges (front and back) 2.) use a small piece of 220 grit paper (courser grits will leave it "hairy") curved over the edge in a round profile. Rub vigorously until you have the desired shape and consistency. 3.) Match burnisher to the profile of the leather. Sometimes the leather is just a touch to thick, causing the center of the edge to not contact the burnisher. This may require to you to use the next size up in burnisher. 4.) wet rag down and rub on some saddle soap. Apply it generously to the edge so that it's got plenty of lubrication. I like to work in small sections abuout 6 inches in length so that the leather doesn't have time to suck up the moisture I've just applied to it. 5.) keeping the 6 inch length in mind, I start from the beginning and move somewhat quickly over to the other end, then back to the beginning a little more slowly, then back to the other end one more time (a total of 3 passes over the section being worked). The whole time I like to feel what's going on to make sure that things are getting smoothed out the way I like. From there, I've ended up right at the next 6 inch stretch and just continue on (I do a lot of straps). Really, I think it sounds like an adjustment in the grit of sandpaper may be the way to go. Also, take a look at the speed of your dremel. I'm not sure of the exact RPM's, but Chris (Spinner) always said to set it at the halfway mark, which seems to work pretty well on mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glendon Report post Posted October 19, 2012 I would say that Cyberthrasher is correct. I have the same burnishers, and have not had that problem. You need to make sure that the edge is the way you want it before burnishing. I've always used super fine sand paper, 220 grit or batter. I can ablsolutely see a courser grit ripping the fibers out. Also do no use your dremel on high speed. I use one of the stronger Black&Deckers, so I keep mine on low. If the speed is too high or the leather is too dry, you will actualy burn before you burnish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 19, 2012 I had a reminder in Spinner's response to the other post - about 1500 RPM's is what you're looking for. My Dremel is set to about 15. In the FAQ's on the leatherburnishers.com website it says about "halfway" on a variable speed rotary tool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chavez Report post Posted October 20, 2012 I use mine on 5k rpm on my proxxon. I bevel, sand, wet the leather, lightly burnish by hand with a piece of old jeans and saddle soap, Run the burnisher over the edge. Sometimes the profile of the edge will not match the profile of your burnisher. This might result in a rough center on the edges. To sort this out just use the "flat" drum burnisher over the centre. That should leave you with a perfect edge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
renegadelizard Report post Posted October 22, 2012 i have mine on 2000...slowest speed on my dremel...i thnk the issue is the chanel im using...ill try to tweak my technique a bit more...thanks for all the responses.. another thought here...does anyone make grooved sanding drums..lol...that would be sweet... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) I don't know how you would do it with a sanding drum, but when polishing frets I use the grinding disks and take a round file to them to make a groove in the center. 2000 should be fine, just make sure you're good and lubricated and don't hang out too long on any one spot. Edited October 22, 2012 by Cyberthrasher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
