Motorized Edge Burnisher

[Blackey Cole]

Up to now I have tried about every way to Burnish the Edges of my work. I have used a drill, Dremal type tool, Canvas, Saddle Soap Bar, Gum Tagameth(SP). I recently aquired John Bianaci (SP) dvd collection four of them. The 3 vol Art & Secrets of Western Holster Making and aninterview with him where he explains why he is where he is type thing. Well in the Holster video he recommends getting a motor driven burnisher and how to make the edge tool for it. I found that Harbor freight has an 1750 motor with keyed arbor. So if I mounted it to a piece of plywood and add the double arbor attachment to it with the same size pullys it will run the arbors at the correct speed for Burnishing. Now where to find the arbor attachment? I have ordered some Coco wood edge burnishing tools for my dremal tool and I will see how it works when it gets here later this week. If you have built a motorized Burnisher please show me hos and where to get the parts.

[TwinOaks]

If you have a Grainger nearby, that would be a good place to look. If not, check with some local machine shops; they should have a good idea on where to get things.

[1911 Operator]

I'm interested in this as well. I found an old polishing motor and made my own attachment out of some cherry wood. I'm terrible at turning wood so I think it looks horrible. But I think it turns too fast. What is the correct speed for burnishing? I will get some pictures of what I have going on a little later tonight.

[King's X]

I would recommend that you contact Spinner or Leatherman1457 for advice. They are both experts in this area and run business that make burnishers. If I missed any one else....not intentional. Good luck.

[hidepounder]

I have never built a burnisher, but here are a couple of photos of the Weaver burnisher that I use along with a finished edge and a link to my process CLICK HERE .

Hope this helps.....

Bobby

Edited August 3, 2011 by hidepounder

[Ferg]

I built mine by "loosely" copying the machine Bob Park has. Shaft, pulleys, shaft stops, all came from Graingers. They deliver quickly if you don't have one nearby.

ferg

I have never built a burnisher, but here are a couple of photos of the Weaver burnisher that I use along with a finished edge and a link to my process CLICK HERE .

Hope this helps.....

Bobby

[Spinner]

I've found that wool wheels work better at much higher speeds than the wood burnishers. Wool wheels work best on 1750-3450 motors whereas the cocobolo burnishers seem to work better at a slower speed, around 1000-1100 rpms.

This is the advice I've given many customers and it seems to work well across the field. A $40 Harbor Freight drill press works perfect as a burnisher motor as it's inexpensive and the pulleys have that speed setting already installed.

For dremel sized burnishers I generally recommend the 1/2 way point on the variable speed dremels (which is about 8-12k rpm depending on brand). The smaller diameter combined with lighter pressure (you can press on a drill burnisher much harder than a dremel one) requires a bit more speed to produce the same friction heat and maintain it.

Chris

[Blackey Cole]

If anyone has part numbers or links I would be in debt.

[Spinner]

If anyone has part numbers or links I would be in debt.

I believe this is the one I have seen around $40-50 when they do their big sales: http://www.harborfre...ress-38119.html

Even at $69 it's cheaper than buying a motor, chuck and misc. parts plus your time to make them go together.

Edited August 4, 2011 by Spinner

[hidepounder]

Utilizing a Harbor Freight drill press like Chris suggests would be a quick and easy way to start burnishing with a minimal investment. But don't forget....you can produce "show quality" edges with a piece of canvas and a little elbow grease. In spite of all the burnishing equipment I have, I often have to burnish by hand or touch up by hand to get the final finish I'm looking for. Another way to go which I've considered messing with is adding arbor extensions to the Craftsman variable speed bench grinder. I have one that I set up for my sharpening wheels and I've always thought it would make a good burnisher. It adjusts from 1750 rpms to 3500 rpms. It's more expensive than the HF drill motor, but you would have the advantage of two burnishing wheels always set up and ready to use. I would put wood wheels on both sides and cover one with canvas....I have yet to see anyone produce better edges than what can be produced by using heavy duct canvas. Just some thoughts.....

Bobby

Edited August 4, 2011 by hidepounder