Edging Thin Veg Tan Help ?

[CustomDoug]

Do any of you guys have any tips or suggestions for edging thin veg tan leather... like wallet interiors, etc.? Anything 2.5oz or less . It almost seems like rounding the edge is a wasted effort sometimes. I do have a #2 edger but that leaves more of a bevel than a round edge.. I haven't bothered ordering a #1 edger because it seems unlikely that it's worthwhile because the #2 takes off such a small sliver of leather. Still though rounded edges are more professional looking in general. How do you guys handle this? Thanks.

Doug C

[billybopp]

If the leather is thin enough ( about the range you're looking at) I don't use an edger. It's just too thin. I damp the edge, burnish, a little saddle soap and burnish some more. You just have to be careful to not put too much pressure when burnishing so that the edge doesn't completely roll down. That's usually enough to make it nice.

Hope that helps

Bill

[CustomDoug]

At this thickness, it's floppy as heck... any good clamps to use? I'm thinking something long but with a good gap (bigger than bull-dog clips) for allowing more leather than a narrow watch strap has.

Doug C

[billybopp]

I have a few strips of ~3/8" x3/8" wood with scrap leather strips and some moderately heavy spring clamps.

Bill

[CustomDoug]

Thanks Billy - I got an idea after your last comment, to help hold the thinner leather better while I try to burnish. I was thinking that maybe I can leather wrap a couple of paint stirring sticks from the hardware store, put rubber bands around one end (left there permanently) and add a spring clamp around the other end (for ease of opening and closing). The idea being to install the edge of the thin leather (barely) exposed for burnishing. Thanks for the inspiration.. I'll let you know how it works out.

Doug C

Edited October 8, 2014 by CustomDoug

[jpherold]

I'm working with leather in the 3-5oz range and have been doing research on rounding out the sharp edge from clicker presses. I was advised as well to forego an edger, and instead use sandpaper. Could be something for you to try although you'd have to make sure you have a good clamping setup. You may want to try a sanding paper sponge (e.g. angled sanding sponge), but can't advise a grit for your application, that may take some experimentation.

Then from there as Billybopp said, some paraffin wax + canvas could be a nice finish on top.

[CustomDoug]

Thanks jpherold, I like that sanding sponge.. it would even be useful to wrap loose sand paper around when the sponge's grit has worn away.

Doug C

[ramrod]

doug - i have had the same dilemna. i use my stitching horse. it was made for me by me brother. it has about an 8" jaw so i can put a piece of leather in it with just a tiny amount of edge sticking up. i edge finish as usual. it isn't perfect, but i can utilize it better than any other method.

[CustomDoug]

yea, I guess my stitching clam could work.. but mine's not as wide and i kind of like the idea of holding these small pieces in a "mobile" way, that allows me to easily move it around and hold it in different light angles to see what parts of the edge need to be hit more. However, It will be my go to if my paint stick idea bombs. Thanks for the tip.

Doug C

[rickybobby]

On thin leather like that I find it not necessary to hold the piece up and do the edge like on thicker leather. The dampened edges roll "round" just by the burnishing motion,

(you just do one side at a time!)

#1. I dampen the edge lightly, use a piece of canvas with some saddle soap.

#2. Lay the piece on my marble and burnish the edge that is up.

#3. Flip the piece over on the marble and burnish the other side.

Using this method you burnish only one side at a time but by doing both sides it looks fine without trying to hold it up and work a "floppy" edge.

This works for me, you may give it a try.

Rick