Sanding Edges - Effects Of The Direction And Technique ?

[CustomDoug]

Hi - I've been seeing a lot of instances where the craftsmen working a particular piece of leather will run it past a stationary grinder machine that's obviously got a sanding wheel mounted. Besides having the spinning wheel running in parallel with the length of the edge (both leather and wheel in the vertical axis), they'll often do passes perpendicular to the wheel.. (leather piece held in a horizontal way while the wheel is spinning in a vertical axis).

I alway thought doing the latter was kind of a no-no. Seems most efficient if both were in the same axis. Maybe the other way (different axises/cross grain) is best for the rough sanding? Does anyone bother doing it this way, when not using a large grinder?

Also, I read on this forum the other day, someone mention that they only sand in one direction thru the total of the edge finishing. Do other subscribe to this technique? What are the advantages? Thanks.

Doug C

Edited September 27, 2014 by CustomDoug

[dirtclod]

I use a belt sander that sets on the bench and it works fine.

[Red Cent]

To me, the belt sander is somewhat like the sewing machine. I use it on most all my stuff. For tight places, I use a drum sander in the drill press. I finish with a flexible hand sanding block.

Other than rounding an "end" or something similar, I always place the leather in line with the belt. I often run the edge up and down against the round front edge of the sander.

[dnd]

I use a dremel tool with a sanding wheel. I have also found that once you get your edges how you want them you can wet them. I use a painters sponge that comes on a stick. Then you can run the dremel over them again. Then bevel your edges while still wet. Not sopping wet but moist. This does not get rid of the need to rub rub rub but if does seem to speed up the process.

[GEmanuel]

I sand 99% on the long axis of the edge. (with the grain) The only time I would go on the short axis (across the grain) is in rounding a corner, after which I hand sand again going with the grain.

Going back and forth with the grain has a tendency to raise as many fibers as it lays down. I sand (or stroke) in one direction only, which raises less fibers.

I also rough sand and finish with a finer grit, usually on a dremel tool at low speed with minimal pressure. You will likely find that stroking in one direction will work better than single stroking in the opposite direction also.

If you think about petting your dog, for example, stroking along his back from head to tail is a smoother experience than starting at the tail and stroking toward his head.

Both are long axis, but only one is really 'with' the grain.