Hello All. Newb From Ok Here

[Dubs Chops]

Hey All, this site is soo great. It is going to be my go to place to find inspirations for projects for sure. I have one question though that I couldn't find a clear answer to while I was googling. I am trying to start out making some leather cuffs for some people. I am trying to find out the cheapest and easiest way to burnish the edges. I don't have alot of money for any machines or power tools to do it right now so looking for manual options that include a little elbow grease and Very little money.

Thanks again gang!

[jeeperaz]

  On 10/8/2010 at 1:54 PM, Dubs Chops said:

looking for manual options that include a little elbow grease and Very little money.

Thanks again gang!

saliva/water and a small piece of denim or canvas?

[azrider]

In the how to section, Bob Parks did a great article on edges. All of that applies to using elbow grease as well, it just takes a little longer. Canvas or denium works well.

[Dubs Chops]

  On 10/8/2010 at 3:30 PM, azrider said:

In the how to section, Bob Parks did a great article on edges. All of that applies to using elbow grease as well, it just takes a little longer. Canvas or denium works well.

I guess I am really new.I forget to mention I don't even know the process to burnishing. Do I need some kind of wax or oil to apply to it also? and then just rub it franticly on some denim until smooth? I have searched as well and haven't found a good how to yet. Also I could not find the one posted above on this site either? anyone have the link handy?

[Spinner]

For a cheap hand rubbed finish, Bob Park's article is the best place to start.

The most basic process is to bevel & round your edges then spit on a piece of denim (old jeans work great) and start rubbing. Make sure to keep a glass of water handy as you'll be spitting quite a bit. The rubbing isn't "frantically". Move the denim in smooth strokes along the leather edge. Watch your pressure on the edge...too much pressure and you'll roll the edge. Just put on a good movie and kick back while you burnish.

[Dubs Chops]

Can someone point out his article to me? I have searched here and am not finding it. Sorry for the inconvenience

[TwinOaks]

Click me!

There's the burnishing tutorial.

Burnishing is the process of smoothing the edge(s) of leather. Using heat (friction), moisture, and pressure you get the fibers to lay down smooth. I als use a cocobola burnisher I made, some folks use plastic. Dress the edges (make them even, pretty smooth, and round the corners) using sandpaper, a file, or something similar. Before I bought a belt sander, I used a Stanley Sureform, and it does the job. Once dressed, I use my little burnisher to do the grunt work and shape the edge. Then, I switch to some scrap denim for the last step. Read and try Bob's tutorial, it'll explain a lot of things. Since reading his work, I changed my method to the one he teaches....with substitutions where needed for tool availability, et al.

[jinrui73]

Spit and denim is what I'm using at the moment! It works really well, too, even on thumbs!