ABC3 Report post Posted September 15, 2009 (edited) What's everyone finding to be the best grit & sequence to use when you need a real flat & slick surface ? This is mine & I am not please with the outcome. I need to buy additional sanding supplies but I don't know what to use. I go through a 3 step sanding process (flat surfaces only - like belt edges or flat edges on holsters). #1 A Drum sander with somewhere around, I'm guessing, 80 Grit (just to take care of the real problems) I've just ordered some new sleeves at 60 & 120 Grit. I'm finding that the Drum sanders is NOT the best tool if you want to keep the product flat) #2 A 2" belt sander using 120 Grit (4 or 5 passes) #3 A 1" belt sander using 220 Grit (4 or 5 passes). Should I go to a smaller grit at my 3rd step? Edited September 15, 2009 by Hobby Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimKleffner Report post Posted September 15, 2009 Tom Your on the right track. I do some what the same on my edges. After I use the 100 grit [you use 80], I use lacquer to tighten up the edges. I have a dauber that I've burned down to a small head, then put the lacquer on the edge, let it dry for about 4 hrs, then come back with the 220 grit and lightly sand it all down. After that I apply my color and re-apply my lacquer. After that dries, I use a hard wood wheel that smooths the edges. then buff everything with a piece of heavy canvas. see if this works for you. Happy tooling Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ABC3 Report post Posted September 15, 2009 Tim, Do you think 220 grit is fine enough for the final sanding ? I was thinking of going even finer. But I don't want to over-kill the sanding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimKleffner Report post Posted September 16, 2009 Tom I got all caught up at one time about sanding edges. I box a box of 220 sanding drums. I found that not only was it over kill ... it was a waste of my time. Leather is leather .. and there's only so much you can do to it. Leather is not like metal or wood. both , sand and apply another coat, and you get a lustrous deep finish. I could never get anything close. I found that Rubbing the edges out after a couple applications of lacquer will do wonders. Happy tooling Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westtxcowboy1979 Report post Posted September 16, 2009 What kind of lacquer do you use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimKleffner Report post Posted September 16, 2009 Howdy WestTX I use Neat Lac from Tandy. I buy it by the gallon, I've got a pint canning jar with lid. I took a sheep dauber and burned it down to marble size and use it to apply my lacquer and one same size for dye for all my edges. Happy tooling Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
