These Edges Are Driving Me Crazy!

[Sixer]

Ok, so I've read all of the stickys and tutorials on burnishing... but for the life of me, I cannot get that smooth, slick, rounded edge on my holsters.

Here is my current approach -

- cut the leather with shears

- 60 grit sanding drum in a drill press to even the edges

- bevel the edges with a #3 or #4 beveler

- follow up with 220gr sand paper and then some 800gr

- dye the leather

- burnish the edges using a wooden dowel chucked in the drill press and Edge Kote or Gum Trag

(this is where my problems start... I've got the drill running at approx. 3000rpm and I try to burnish the edges in the same direction that they were sanded. )

I can do this all day... the edges end up flat and I still can't get all the little fibers to lay down. I've got to be doing something wrong. It's driving me nuts!

I will try and get som pictures up soon, but until then any advice is welcome

[zookeper]

i am just a novice and someone with more knowledge will correct me if i'm wrong but i think the edge kote is used as an alternative to burnishing, not part of that process. never used/needed gum tag myself but i think you will have better results if you will use wax.

[gregintenn]

i am just a novice and someone with more knowledge will correct me if i'm wrong but i think the edge kote is used as an alternative to burnishing, not part of that process. never used/needed gum tag myself but i think you will have better results if you will use wax.

I've been satisfied with the results of using gum tragacanth and hand burnishing with a Sharpie marker. I apply the gum trag to the edge, and rub it with the side of the marker until smooth. i keep going all the way around the holster doing this. By the time I get back to where I started, the gum is dry enough that I can rub a little harder with the marker to bring the edge to a slick, shiny finish. It takes a little time, but I'm a hobbyist. I'd seek a quicker method were I trying to make a living at it.

I'm guessing your wood dowel isn't hard or slick enough. You also could be turning it too fast. I've heard of people using wheels made from micarta or some sort of hard plastic in drill motors. I've not tried it myself.

[jeeperaz]

What type of leather are you using?

[Tkleather1]

Personally I would get rid of the gum. Use your casing solution and wet your edge and then use your dowel method. then follow it up with wax and some canvas and use lots of elbow grease you want the heat that is what makes the burnish.

as far as the speed thing I have heard lots of talk about going to fast and I have never had a problem, I use a hardwood slicker mounted direct to my 1/2 arbor grinder motor that spins aweful fast and I have good luck.

Just my way not the best way but it works.

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[dirtclod]

If my edges need to be sanded i use a table belt sander 4x36 with 40 or 50 grit paper. The finer grits clog up to quick.

Then wet the edge with a sponge then use a piece of deer antler to rub pretty hard with. Then finish up with a piece of file folder or a piece of cracker box or something like using the nonprinted side and it works fine and makes a glossy smooth edge.

If you use a table mounted belt sander it needs to be fllpped to where the belt turns to you. That makes live alot easier.

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

Try this out:

Sand your edges with the rough grit drum on a SLOW speed until the edges are even (the fastest I ever run is 1300 rpm, and I wouldn't recommend that unless you have had a lot of experience - you will be better off at around 700 to 900 RPMs).

Now switch to a higher grit drum (like your 220) and smooth the edges up until there are no burs. If you are getting burn streaks on the edge you are using too much pressure or too much speed in your drill press.

Now use your edger to bevel the edges (without wetting them first). If the leather tears when you don't wet the edge first, you need to sharpen your tools (or use better leather).

Chuck your dowel rod into your drill press, making sure your belt is arranged to turn the press at the slowest possible speed. BTW, you have cut rounded grooves into your dowel rod, right? Also make sure your dowel rod is smooth to the touch, with no cracks or apparent grainy areas.

Use a spray bottle, foam brush or a clean, non treated sponge to dampen the edges of your leather.

Now run the edges inside the appropriately sized groove in your dowel rod with smooth light pressure. Don't linger on one spot too long, and apply more water only when needed.

The edge should be so shiny that you can see light reflecting off of it. Now you can hit it with dye of the appropriate color. Once the dye completely dries, rub a little bee's wax on the edges and buff them out with a scrap of duck cloth.

You will have a nice shiny edge that isn't too difficult, too time consuming or too expensive to achieve.

[GrampaJoel]

You're working to hard!

1. Just bevel your edges while dry.

2. wet the edges with water let soak in for a minute or so

3. gently rub by hand with glycerin soap until the edge is rounded and shiny. this happens pretty fast.

4. Now rub fairly hard with canvas loaded with saddle soap. you want to feel the heat from the rubbing.

5. Now you have a nice hard smooth burnish, so just color with color of choice.

enjoy

easier than making brownies.

edit to add. this only works with Veg-tan leather. I haven't had any luck burnishing alum-tan leather

Edited May 19, 2010 by GrampaJoel

[Sixer]

Thanks for the help guys!

I'm working with veg tanned Hermann Oak. I will give it another go... and hopefully have pics of nice SMOOTH and GLOSSY edges to post soon

[MADMAX22]

I agree with Boomstick on this one, with a few things I do slightly different because I have to do everything by hand with the occasional use of the dremel which isnt very often nowadays as I have learned to get a better cut on my edges.