Sanding Holster Edges

[BigRiverLeather]

Lately I've trimmed most of my stuff close enough that my dremel works. On a bit bigger jobs, or belts, I'll use a drum sander.

One of the best things I have found is the flexible sanding drum with the sandpaper flaps that have the nylon scrubby things between the flaps, like these -

They work great on sanding rounded edges quickly. It conforms to the edge nicely, especially after a little groove gets worn in. Wet your edge and it will nearly be burnished. The ones I've been using are 2" H x 3" diameter I think, whatever I have found at Menards or Home Depot.

Like anything,, no one tool does it all. The dremel gets the most use. As a matter of fact, my Harbor Freight Dremel wannabe just died and I need to replace it. I also have a battery powered dremel, but I don't get near enough life out of the battery as I would like.

[Dwight]

I use a Dremel (maybe 5% ), . . . a drum sander mounted in a drill press (maybe another 5% ), . . . but 90% of all my sanding is done on a cheapie belt sander I paid either 40 or 50 bucks for at Harbor Freight.

It does my holsters, . . . mag pouches, . . . and OoooLaaaaLaaaa, . . . does it ever do belts. I would quit making belts if I had to use much of anything else. I can even up a 40 inch belt blank in all of about 3 minutes with it, . . . maybe 5 minutes on a bad day.

Like earlier said: it eats leather for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, . . . you need to be careful with it. I, too, use 80 grit on mine.

It also is impossible to keep clean, . . . even with a vacuum pulling all it can while you sand. That is just a hazard you learn to work with.

May God bless,

Dwight

[gregintenn]

I use a sanding block. It only takes a minute!

[TexasJack]

Keep in mind that power tools only make the job go faster, not necessarily better. They can also make you screw up things faster. You don't have to run out and buy a lot of equipment in order to do the job, as gregintenn points out.

The Dremel is a great tool, but it hits a very small area and it's not the easiest way to even out a long edge. Belt sanders are much faster and much better for that, but they don't do well on tight turns. If you don't want to spend the money on a belt sander right now, then try a sanding block first and then use the Dremel for finishing.

[DCKNIVES]

I a fortunate that I also make knives so I have alot of equipment that can be dual purpose.My main machine is my Burr-King, which is variable speed, and good for the long edges.For smaller curves,I built a small wheel sander with a 1" wheel, and a 1/2" wheel, cleans those holsters and sheaths right up.Dave

[dirtclod]

I use a regular table mount wood belt sander 4x36 . But you need to flip the sander to where it turns toward you instead of away from you. On mine there was a bolt or nut i had to loosen to flip it. I work on the end of it and i use a 50 grit belt to get things even. The smaller grits fill up to quick and quit cutting. It was a 100.00 i think when i bought it 6 or 7 years ago.

[Reaper]

Dremel Belt / Disc Sander mdl 1731 combo for some, Dremel Roto for some, hand for some and also a Sanding Sponge set I picked up from Discount Auto in three different grits. Being Sponges these work really well for rounding edges evenly before burnishing.

[ShortBBL]

I LOVE my RIDGID Oscillating Sander !! Works super good.

[JoelR]

+1 to Harbor Freight 1x30. Well worn 80 grit Zirconia belt and a damp edge gives EXCELLENT results. As stated, inside curves are more difficult so I use a dowel rod wrapped with 120 grit for those that are too tight for the belt. The belt sander is also much gentler on those pesky soft overlays. Worked wonders on rounding the edges on a glove-soft alligator overlay I am working on.