Motorized Edge Burnisher

[evandailey]

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

Bob,

How do you attach your canvas to your burnishing wheels? Obviously the rotating direction is critical, but do you glue the overlap or what?

Edited August 4, 2011 by evandailey

[hidepounder]

Bob,

How do you attach your canvas to your burnishing wheels? Obviously the rotating direction is critical, but do you glue the overlap or what?

I did glue the overlap with Barge initially but it came apart before very long. The thing is though, once the canvas conforms to the wheel and becomes saturated with soap it just sticks to itself. So there was a small amount of flapping, initially. Nothing that was a big deal, just something you noticed and it then it eventually stopped. The whole piece of canvas is just taped on with electrical tape.

[joefarmer]

I purchased a set of about 2" wool wheels with an arbor at Harbor Freight for about $10.00. I use them in my Shopsmith in the horizontal position with the drill chuck.

Joe

[K-Man]

This is what I use. Spins at 3600 rpms. Pieces are made from stainless steel and were modeled from Weaver's #9 and the wood burnisher off of Weaver's set up. I use it with water and saddle soap (bar). I also use it to smooth the edges of our kydex clips.

This is the result I get (with very little effort):

Edited August 5, 2011 by K-Man

[hidepounder]

K-Man....thanks for posting photos of your burnisher and your results. I have seen the stainless burnishers but had no idea how well they performed.

Bobby

[Warpe]

Did you make those aluminum burnishers, or did you buy them from somewhere?

[TwinOaks]

"Pieces are made from stainless steel"

[Warpe]

"Pieces are made from stainless steel"

Ok...did you make the "stainless steel" burnishers or purchase them somewhere?

[K-Man]

Warpe: I gave a machinist the two pieces of Weaver's tools and they cut them on a lathe. We then removed all the miscellaneous pieces off the shafts of the grinder and mounted the burnishers. We balanced them and they've worked like a champ for the last 5-6 years we've had them.

[Warpe]

Warpe: I gave a machinist the two pieces of Weaver's tools and they cut them on a lathe. We then removed all the miscellaneous pieces off the shafts of the grinder and mounted the burnishers. We balanced them and they've worked like a champ for the last 5-6 years we've had them.

They look great....I just may have to check on some of the local machine shops and see what deals i can swing.