dsolsbery Report post Posted October 10, 2012 After reading several responses on how to smooth the flesh side of a piece of leather, I tried sanding a piece of Tandy leather. Well.....the more I sanded the hairer it got until I had to quit because that piece of leather started looking like "Cousin It." Is this because it's Tandy leather? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HellfireJack Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Did you pay less than 5 dollars a square foot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted October 10, 2012 Varnish it, then sand it. Or buy better leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Take a stiff wooden dowl and some Gum Trag and smooth the flesh side with the dowl and and light coat of gum trag. Like you are burnishing it but it wont change color. It will lay down and slick up really well. But better leather is the way to go if you can. Not something I can always afford to do.. Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 All good responses above, I'll add that if a piece is pretty "Hairy" you can sand in one direction (with the grain) and it will smooth out. Sometimes when hand sanding if you go back and forth, it just keeps raising the "Nap" on every other stroke. It can be slicked as said above, another way to slick it is with a glass burnisher and some gum tragacanth or water depending on how well you want it burnished. Better leather is the best solution, Hemann Oak flesh side is very smooth to start with. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsolsbery Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Much obliged for the answers. I'll try them then go with the H O from now on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katsass Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Ditto what Chief says. I ended up with a full side of 12/14oz stuff from a friend that gave up on leather work long ago. It had been rolled up and stashed in the overhead of his garage for over 10 years. It was (is) pretty rough on the flesh side. When I need a bit of heavy leather I slick that flesh side up on a 4" wide, table mounted belt sander with a fine grit belt. Back the leather up with a piece of flat wood and hit it for a short time on the belt and I have a clean, smooth piece to work with. As said, you must go with the grain. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JWGlover Report post Posted October 11, 2012 You can also wet it and then scrape it with a skiver, that usually evens everything out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
