Andrew Chee Report post Posted March 9, 2014 Hello all. I am making the wallets below. I take veg tan leathers and hand board them to bring out the grain and soften them up. Usually when making wallets or bags I would assemble the pieces, glue, sew, etc... To even the edges out I would cut the edge after sewing. But because these wallets are curved, I can't really do that. I end up sanding them to even and smooth out the edges before burnishing. One thing I notice though is that because the leather has been softened, it tends to mushroom when I sand it with my belt sander, especially at the corners. I end up having to do some cutting afterwards. Do you guys have any suggestions for evening out edges after sewing curved edges on softer leather? Thanks. Andrew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted March 9, 2014 Have you tried sanding by hand? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted March 9, 2014 Brand new belt on your belt sander, about 60 grit or courser. Use a soft touch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Zipster Report post Posted March 10, 2014 Sorry to hijack the thread but what opinions are there as to the best grit for use on a belt/disc sander for preparing edges for bunishing on veg tan ? Cheers Zip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted March 10, 2014 I never use finer than 60 grit, usually use 36. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Zipster Report post Posted March 10, 2014 Wow, that's a lot corser that I imagined. Thanks for the tip Cheers Zip Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted March 10, 2014 Wow, that's a lot corser that I imagined. Thanks for the tip Cheers Zip I find that any finer and it burnished instead of sanding. Less than a brand new belt and the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Cent Report post Posted March 10, 2014 wow electrathon. That is coarse. After I bevel, I round the edge with a sanding block with 220 grit. Then I finish off with 400 or so. It seems if "hair" is left on the edge, the bumps will become more pronounced in a few days. Smooth no hair, no bumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Chee Report post Posted March 10, 2014 Interesting. I actually start with 80 to level, then 120 then 240. Only about one pass of each. This is on the belt sander. I slick the edge and then touch up with 400 before dyeing and waxing. It's the initial passes with the belt sander where I get the mushrooming. Maybe I just need to apply a lot less pressure... Andrew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted March 10, 2014 wow electrathon. That is coarse. After I bevel, I round the edge with a sanding block with 220 grit. Then I finish off with 400 or so. It seems if "hair" is left on the edge, the bumps will become more pronounced in a few days. Smooth no hair, no bumps. If I am hand sanding it is totally different. The trick I have found with the belt sander is that it needs to cut with almost no pressure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
