How do i smooth the flesh side?

[JoeNots]

I'm trying to smooth out all the fuzzy flesh on the back of a belt. Cananyone help me to figure this out?? I've tried sanding but it seems toget close but not all the way down.

any advice would be super helpful.

Thanks,

Joe

[WyomingSlick]

ing

I'm trying to smooth out all the fuzzy flesh on the back of a belt. Cananyone help me to figure this out?? I've tried sanding but it seems toget close but not all the way down.

any advice would be super helpful.

Thanks,

Joe

Yes, that is a pretty fuzzy backside. I'll bet ya the next time you buy a belt blank, you will check the back. I, myself would run it through my splitter and shave the "fuzzy" off, but I would guess you don't have a splitter. Have you tried using a skiving tool or skife to shave the fuzz off. A freshly broken piece of glass with the non-working edges covered with tape would also work. A scraper used by woodworkers for fine finishing may also work well.

Some belt makers also coat the backside of a belt with Gum Tragacanth after they have edged and burnished the belt ege. They then burnish this with a scrap of canvas to produce a slicker belt.

Edited January 13, 2010 by WyomingSlick

[JoeNots]

ing

Yes, that is a pretty fuzzy backside. I'll bet ya the next time you buy a belt blank, you will check the back. I, myself would run it through my splitter and shave the "fuzzy" off, but I would guess you don't have a splitter. Have you tried using a skiving tool or skife to shave the fuzz off. A freshly broken piece of glass with the non-working edges covered with tape would also work. A scraper used by woodworkers for fine finishing may also work well.

Some belt makers also coat the backside of a belt with Gum Tragacanth after they have edged and burnished the belt ege. They then burnish this with a scrap of canvas to produce a slicker belt.

Thanks, I'll try the glass. you're right i don't have a splitter, still build up my tools. I don't use belt blanks though, too brittle & they aren't made by me.

Thanks for your help, i'll post a picture after i've finished the belt.

[TomSwede]

I got some fine results when I used ecoflo black antique on the fleshside. I only used a sponge and smeared it on in one direction, think like combing the fibres down to visualize. Then I put on some leathersheen to bind it further and keep it from rubbing off.

Tom

[JLSleather]

I'm using the stone under your belt for a background on my next project (THANKS!)

[JoeNots]

I'm using the stone under your belt for a background on my next project (THANKS!)

your welcome? not sure i get it.

[rickeyfro]

Zack White sells some real nice leather with smooth pasted backs, I usually get there premium bull hide

[hidepounder]

You might try using some paste saddle soap and some heavy canvas and basically burnish the back side.

[JoeNots]

You might try using some paste saddle soap and some heavy canvas and basically burnish the back side.

Thanks! A friend told me to try gum trag after using the edger & dying, then to the edges. have you tried this? or anyone?

Thanks for all the help!

Joe

[Leatherimages]

Thanks! A friend told me to try gum trag after using the edger & dying, then to the edges. have you tried this? or anyone?

Thanks for all the help!

Joe

I've used gum trag for years.

I have a mitt I made to slick the sides and back.

I think it's best to work the fibers down from the tongue end to the buckle end.

It'll facilitate passing the belt through the loops.

It's probably best to stay away from blanks like this when you can.

All the work you've done on it could be wasted when the belt goes raggy in a few years.

Just my two cents.