Belt Sander or Block Sander

[hidepounder]

I always sand my edges. I have a sanding belt set up on a grinder that I use for all kind of things. It runs at about 3500 rpm which is too fast for leather, however, I discovered that using the higher speed caused a slight amount of scortching on the edges which enhanced my final finish on the edges. For tight turns I use a small drum sander at 1750 rpm. Occassionally the dremel is real handy.

Bob

[Rayban]

Gotta get this, only $40. I use it to make knife handles and leather work. I have the same situation you are describing ALLLLLL the time...this makes short work of it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...Itemnumber=2485

[ABC3]

I was just there on Fri & purchased a shop press & ask about a belt sander & didn't have one. Will check it out again. Thanks for the heads up.

Stay safe.....

[Rayban]

When making a knife sheath it's not uncommon to have 3,4,5,6 layers of 8-10oz. I find it impossible to get the edges aligned just right without sanding before burnishing.

The belt sander works wonders.....just go slow, it can burn the leather!

[DCKNIVES]

Well being a knifemaker as well as a leatherworker, I am fortunate to have a Variable Speed Burr-King belt sander.I highly recommend getting a VS if you can afford it. Its great for sheath and holster edges, like Rayban said 4-6 layers of leather are hard to get perfect without sanding.Dave

[Randyc]

I have an oscilating table sander that you can change drum diam..but by using a gum cleaner it lasts forever..also excellant control.I have not figured a better way to do it!Now that I mfgd those redwood grooved wheels for the buffer everything go's very fast.Gum trag and four min and I am done!

I have an oscilating Spindle sander myself, but still often use my variable speed dremal tool . I wet the edge then run it at slower speeds. I usually end up rubbing down my edges with some fine grit automotive sandpaper. I use Gum T and then denim from old blue jeans to buff the edges.

Randy

[Lobo]

Many years ago I stopped even trying to cut perfectly matching edges, always cutting to a line. Then I assemble everything with cement and clamp it together. Then I use both a belt sander and a drum sander to dress the edges.

Here is one thing that helps me a lot (since I do 20-plus items per week, and usually at least 8 or 10 at a time):

1. cement and clamp the items sufficiently to hold everything together

2. dip the item in water, just enough to dampen it well

3. dress the edges with the belt sander or drum sander, which will very quickly dress the damp leather down WITH NO DUST IN THE AIR, just a little damp scrap that falls quickly to the tabletop. This also raises a bead at all edges, which I allow to dry thoroughly, then hit it with an edge beveler and the edges are done.

An additional benefit of wetting the leather before dressing the edges is that it leaves a roughly burnished edge. After wet forming, while the holster is still damp, I hit the edges with a burnishing tool (hardwood cylinder chucked into the drill press) and have a final bright burnished edge in very short order.

[ABC3]

Lobo,

Thanks for your input - it really helps. Good luck with your new digs & keep the frig stocked....

Stay safe.

[Bree]

I went over to Home Depot this weekend and bought a KILLER machine for $200. It's a Ridgid 2 in 1 oscillating spindle/edge belt sander. It has the normal spindles that you would find on a good spindle sander with 3/4 inch oscillation. But it also has a 4"x24" belt sander that also oscillates 3/4 inch! It has a big worksurface and is extremely well designed. It earned Fine Wooodworking's Best Overall and Best Value awards in one of their machine shootouts.

Here are a couple of PIX of the machine in both setups. (Very fast and EZ to switch from one to the other)

Between my drill press sanding drums (non-oscillating) and this oscillating sander, I have all my bases covered.

[ABC3]

That looks great. I was just at HD & didn't see it. I would have jumped on it. Nice find......