Drum Sander or Flap Sander?

[CreativeName]

Which would be better for evening up the edges of something like a wallet?  And what is the most economical edge treatment for a wallet?

[TonyV]

Most of the time I sand by hand.  Don't usually need much to even things up after a knife trim.  On occasion though, the stars just don't align any better than my eyes.  In that case, I use a small drum sander on my drill press.  

The most economical edge treatment is a little bit of water and vigorous slicking with a bit of canvas or white denim.  Ain't fancy, but you can make it shine.

[kgg]

59 minutes ago, CreativeName said:

Which would be better for evening up the edges of something like a wallet?

I use a 3" round sanding disc and a wooden burnisher disc on a viable speed bench mounted buffer I got from Princess Auto. Works decent enough for my needs.

kgg

[DieselTech]

I use both a drum sander & a belt sander if things got crazy with construction. 

[TomE]

The drum sander can smooth/even out curves and flat edges.  There is a reason why most burnishing machines include a drum sander.  I use a drum sander frequently to ease the transition from a strap edge to an end point made with a strap end punch.  The end punches are usually a bit uneven or not quite the correct width.  I make items with 2-3 layers of 9-10 oz leather and the drum sander makes quick work of leveling out the layers prior to hand sanding and burnishing.

[CreativeName]

Would buffing rouge on a felt wheel work well or make a mess?

[Dwight]

If you want an inexpensive "best of both worlds" go to Harbor freight and spend 50 bucks for this little sander.

Round sanders have a habit of digging in . . .  and you have to really spend a lot of time learning how to not allow it to do that . . . and even then . . . if you are not paying attention . . . if you run into a hard bit of leather it will not take off what you wanted . . . if it gets soft on you . . . you will have a half moon indentation in your project.

This little belt sander does not allow that to happen any where near as bad . . . especially if you use 120 or higher grit belts.

You can remove the little clear plastic piece on the top of the top pully . . . as I did . . . and if you have an inside curve piece that needs sanding . . . that little curve will do it nicely . . . 

Plus . . . it has a hole in the side for a power vac . . . sucks the sanded leather (mostly) out of your way.

I own two of them . . . have never seen anything any better.

May God bless,

Dwight

[DieselTech]

50 minutes ago, CreativeName said:

Would buffing rouge on a felt wheel work well or make a mess?

I think that would make a mess of your leather. But I am not 100%sure on this. 

I would put a sanding drum on 1 side of the buffer & a cocobolo burnishing wheel on the other side. 

Or the old fashion way with waxed canvas, a touch of water & some saddle soap & elbow grease.

[CreativeName]

@Dwight Harbor Freight = disposable tools

[Hildebrand]

@CreativeNamesometimes Harbor Freight tools are disposable but a lot of time they do just what you need for a good price.