Diy Leather Edge Machine

[BAD HIDE]

I was looking into mechanized edge machines ('cuz doing a lot of them by hand is the worst) and came across Weaver Leather's Edge Slicker, and it retails for $750 or something, so screw that, I'm not that professional. I showed it to my old man, and his inventive nature was off and running.

We started with a 3/4" shaft, turned it on a metal lathe to cut it down to 5/8" on each end for the bearings, then stepped down to 1/2" for the ends. Then we cut threads with a die set, there's fine threads under the chuck, normal half inch threads under the buffing wheel, and 3/4" threads on one end of the middle to hold the block in place. I welded a washer on the left side of the block, made up some mounts to hold the bearings and a guard to protect my fingers. My dad found an old motor that still worked from god knows where, a 4" pulley with 1/2" hole, and the chuck from an old radial arm saw accessory kit he never used. After we got it all together, I flipped the switch and used wood turning tools to turn the burnishing block to shape and put in the grooves. A little bit of paint, a little wiring, and a trip to find a sanding drum, and voilà.

It wobbles and rattles a bit, we're not machinists, but you can't really beat it for $40 in parts, some shop time at my dad's over the holidays, and some miscellaneous junk. Apologies for the camera phone pictures at night in the basement, but I was excited to have it finished, try it out, and share it.

Edited January 6, 2014 by BAD HIDE

[dirtclod]

Once in a while i cobbel things up when i think i can build what i need. Looks like it does a good job.

[Itch]

Looks great..I wobble and rattle a bit as well...

[J Hayes]

Nicely done. Fun to have a metal lathe. I saw somebody on here that mounted theirs vertically on the end of their bench, saving the bench space, may or may not work for your situation.

[silverbullet]

That's some good old fashion makin sumtin fer notin. Like the good old boys use to if it works only a short time it's worth the time and labor, I've been a guy who hates to waist stuff and love to build my own tools . I'm going to be making my own nylon mallets , soon as this weather breaks, to cold out for a wheelchair User makes me numb or is that dumb.

[dpip4x4]

fantastic!

[oldtimer]

This is my edge machine. I turned a piece of Lignum Vitae to fit the motor shaft. The wood is so hard thet I even could thread the hole for a screw into the axle.

/ Knut

[simontuntelder]

I think you can use some pieces of wool felt crammed together if you put them on a drill.