Use of a dremel for burnishing

[esantoro]

I read a while back about using a dremel to burnish edges. So, I decided to try one of the felt polishing wheels for the task, and was very pleased. The only thing I need to do is find a wider felt wheel and cut a rounded groove in it so that the felt wheel creates a rounded burnish instead of a flat burnish.

Anyone have any tips for doing this or other attachments that allow using the Dremel for burnishing?

Thanks.

Ed

[esantoro]

is it possible to buy 1/2" or 3/4" thick felt sheets from which I can cut my own cylinders for use with a dremel?

Ed

[Timd]

Ed, try here: http://www.mcmaster.com/ just put felt in the search box

[esantoro]

Ed, try here: http://www.mcmaster.com/ just put felt in the search box

Thanks, Tim. That link is perfect. Now I just have to figure out what type of felt to get.

McMaster also seems to the place where I should get single layer felt sheets for applying edge coating. I currently use thin polyester felt sheets from which I have to cut strips to be tripled over. The only problem with this polyester felt is that it gets a bit stringy rather quickly.

ed

Edited June 21, 2008 by esantoro

[TwinOaks]

While using the dremel can speed things up, I've found a downside to them. If you don't keep it moving, or reverse direction without lifting the tool, you can get a 'spotty' look. It's just where certain places are more burnished than others.

[esantoro]

I've ordered the F1 corded felt for burnishing and F7 felt sheets for applying dye and edge coating. I'm also looking into getting a hard wood burnisher to see if that helps.

[bigprairie]

I've ordered the F1 corded felt for burnishing and F7 felt sheets for applying dye and edge coating. I'm also looking into getting a hard wood burnisher to see if that helps.

I just found pre-shaped felt wheels at Lee Valley Tools. Try this link - these may be of use to you

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...t=1,43072,43080

Ron

[HandyAndy]

I use one of the 1/4" thick felt polishers that I shaped with a 1/4" sanding drum. I put the polisher in the dremel and used it like a lathe while I held the sanding drum in-between my thumb & index finger to sand out the groove.

Works great!

[pavilionpony]

I use one of the 1/4" thick felt polishers that I shaped with a 1/4" sanding drum. I put the polisher in the dremel and used it like a lathe while I held the sanding drum in-between my thumb & index finger to sand out the groove.

Works great!

I apologize for sounding dumb, but what is burnishing? Is that smoothing the edges? I've never heard the word before.

[Rawhide]

I apologize for sounding dumb, but what is burnishing? Is that smoothing the edges? I've never heard the word before.

Yes, burnishing is the act of heating the edge to fuse the fibers together for a smooth edge. It's also a term used in metalworking to give a highly polished surface.

(P.S., no questions are dumb here. That's what the forum is for.)

Marlon