Use of a dremel for burnishing

[esantoro]

Just got finished with some burnishing. The F1 grade corded felt works well for intricate situations. It's best to have at least 1/2" thick wheel, which requires the appropriate length screw for the mandrel.

If you have a dremel or similar tool, this felt does work well. Not great but well.

I suppose to make a great burnishing attachment one would have to make a small hardwood burnishing wheel. Time for more R&D.

ed

[esantoro]

Just got finished with some burnishing. The F1 grade corded felt works well for intricate situations. It's best to have at least 1/2" thick wheel, which requires the appropriate length screw for the mandrel.

If you have a dremel or similar tool, this felt does work well. Not great but well.

I suppose to make a great burnishing attachment one would have to make a small hardwood burnishing wheel. Time for more R&D.

ed

Just found this burnisher on Ebay. It's a larger version of what I've done with the dremel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fantastic-Leather-Edge...id=p3911.c0.m14

If this link doesn't work, search on Ebay for "fantastic leather edge burnisher"

[esantoro]

Just found a metric 3 machine screw about 20 mm long to allow for a wider felt wheel for the dremel. Twenty mm was the longest I could get at Lowes or Home Depot.

I could use a 25 mm or 30mm screw. Anyone know of a good source for hard-to-find screws?

Ed

[esantoro]

I spent hours today looking for the right size screw.

Just now found this online site. Good price for the washers and screws I need.

http://www.boltdepot.com

ed

[JustWakinUp]

I use a dremmel on some of the lighter leathers when making straps for wallets etc. The leather on this one is chrome tan black pretty thin, maybe 1`.5oz and in the center is regular red suede. I feel that the edges come out rather nice with a dremmel.

Here a few pics of the edges.

**side note, i do not use felt, i use hardwood.

Edited October 11, 2008 by JustWakinUp

[esantoro]

I'm in he process of making some wood burnishers for the Dremel. Could you post pics of the attachment you use?

By the way, anyone interested in going in on an order of 15 pcs of 30" cocobolo turning squares, 1.5" x 1.5", $150?

Ed

[esantoro]

The F7 grade felt is better than craft polyester felt for applying dyes and finishes. The F1 grade corded felt is softer than the felt used on the polishing wheels for the Dremel. This may be a plus, as there is less of a chance for the felt to burn the leather at higher RPMs.The screw for the mandrel used for the Dremel felt polishing wheel is for a felt wheel that is 1/4" thick. I need to find a screw that is twice as long to accommodate a 1/2" thick wheel. I'm happy with the prospects and will report any updates.Ed

For the longer mandrel screws I ended up getting 3mm metric machine screws of lengths from 20mm to 50mm.Just a redundant reminder. I do really like having this F1 corded felt option for dremel burnishing. It comes in handy for certain intricate situations. Ed

Edited October 19, 2008 by esantoro

[esantoro]

Just found this burnisher on Ebay. It's a larger version of what I've done with the dremel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fantastic-Leather-Edge...id=p3911.c0.m14

If this link doesn't work, search on Ebay for "fantastic leather edge burnisher"

I'm bringing more attention to this burnishing wheel from Ivan Sampson, as I think it may be an excellent tool. Ivan says it works much better than exotic wheels do, though I'm still looking forward to having the wood too.

Ivan called me the other day to tell me that he is currently selling this burnishing wheel attached to a 1/8 hp motor, which you would have to bolt down yourself to a 1 sq. ft plywood board that can be clamped to your work area for use and then stored away. All for about $80. It would be nice to make a little portable case for the whole thing.

Ed

[esantoro]

It seems that every day I grow increasingly more dependent on my Dremel, as I find more tasks for it to do. Are there some brushes or bushings that I should have on hand for normal maintenance and repair?

Ed

[esantoro]

I was doing some burnishing by hand with the f7 grade felt, 1/4" thick. it works very well with just beeswax. First time I've tried this and was very surprised.

ed