JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Hello everyone, i have bought a pre dyed black leather strap blank to make my first leather belt project. It is one inch wide and has cut edges, can i still burnish the edges of it in the same way as i have seen on tutorials. Should i use an edge beveller and if so which size should i buy and can i do it with just water. I have a cheap burnishing tool coming from china, hope that will be ok to use as it was only 99p. If i bevel the edges will this remove the dye or should i just burnish the edges without bevelling first. Hope these questions do not sound too stupid but i really do not know hardly anything about leatherwork yet, i have a lot to learn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Quite honestly, . . . the questions are not perfectly answerable on a forum like this. There are simply too many variables. What kind of leather is it? Was it spray dyed, or drum dyed? How thick is it? Does it have a finish on it? All these answers will lead to a "means" of giving you your answer. What I would do is take that strap to a cobbler shop or other leather worker, . . . let them look at it, . . . professionally advise you. Then get in the habit of finding out what you have, . . . it'll really help you in the long run. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Thanks for the reply Dwight, here is a link to the leather i bought, naybe i should have bought a natural one then i could have done all the treatments myself, should you normally dye a belt before burnishing then or do it after dyeing, wow do i have a lot to learn. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200954815153?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2648&var=500179930925&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Well, . . . vegetable tanned leather is the type you want for a belt. It looks from the description to be drum dyed, which is usually pretty thorough. The word that bothers me is the "bridle" description. That usually means that it has been given a thorough oily treatment to withstand the rigors of being outdoors. That would match the description below for suggested used. OTOH, . . . it says it is good for stamping, . . . so it may work out for you. I use a # 4 edging tool for my belts, . . . which would work for this, . . . and, yes, edge first, then burnish. Seeing as how it is pre-dyed, . . . once you have decorated it to suit yourself, . . . put a couple of coats of Kiwi shoe polish on it, . . . polish it really good, . . . you should have a really nice dress belt. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted November 8, 2014 So you've made a start? CONGRATULATIONS! The burnisher is obviously made to a price. You could improve it by getting it as smooth as possible with fine sandpaper, especially in the grooves. Then treat & polish it with linseed oil, or furniture polish, or leather treatment grease like Nikwax. Fondle it in your hands! It's not unpleasant and the warmth will help the polish etc to soak in. Do not use vegetable oil as this tends to dry sticky Do not use mineral oil, eg engine oil, as this can damage wood and leather It will get better the more you use it Here is a method for edge finishing; I'm sure other people will have different techniques Go round the belt with a sharp knife to trim any bumps or ragged edges. If it's pre - cut you should be OK, but it's worth checking Bevel the edges, ie the corners of the cut edge. I suggest a size 2 or 3 edge beveller Round off and smooth the edges as much as possible with medium abrasive paper. Cutting exposes the inside of the leather, which is porous, so you need to seal it, usually with gum tragacanth. Some suppliers have their own concoctions, but gum tragacanth is the most common, and is good enough. It takes a few minutes to dry Burnish the edge. Apply edge dye. Ordinary leather dye is too thin for that, you must use a special edge dye. Get black; it will suit your belt and be OK for most of your projects in the future Finish off the whole belt with polish or leather grease; you'll soon find out what you like You can get special applicators called daubers, but I manage well enough with cotton buds. Yes, the dye & gum are more things to buy, but once you have them, they'll last you for many projects Warning! Be careful with the jars of gum & dye; they'll make a helluva mess if you spill them! I very much recommend that you practice on scrap leather. I've looked up your source, and at 50" you should be able to cut off 2 or 3" and practice on that For your interest, visit http://www.goodsjapan.com Towards the top left corner of the homepage under Categories you'll see ' Leather Craft Items' Have a browse, you'll see the range of things available, and some are a bit different to Tandy et al. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Hi Zulu, yes i have heard of goods Japan on Ian Atkinsons you tube chanel that you mentioned before to me, how long is delivery from there? I also think i have learned ny first lesson and that is that from now on i am going to buy undyed leather so i know exactly what reatments have been done, but it should still make a belt, i will be happy with it if it is just usable for the first attempt. Also thanks again Dwight for looking up my belt and responding to my post. I have every intention of sticking this out but i cannot deny that it is one of those things that takes a lot more skill and knowledge than most people including me realize. However like most things in life i am assuming that the harder something is to attain the better the payoff in the end.The sweetest fruit being on the highest branches and all that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted November 8, 2014 I haven't bought anything from goodsjapan myself, but I read a review somewhere, possibly on britishblades. Apparently they're reliable, well packed, good quality, and delivery is 2 - 3 weeks. But there was a warning, though not a problem with goodsjapan themselves. If you order anything, order one item at a time, with a gap of 3 weeks to a month or so inbetween; that way it's classed as personal use If you order several items together , HM Customs will hit you with import duty When I started to make things I hadn't realised how involved leatherwork would be if you wanted to do the job properly You will make mistakes; it's called gaining experience, and is all part of the fun. Think of that pencil case you're going to make! What is an expert? Someone who's made more mistakes than you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Wow, thaks for the warning zulu, i never realized you would have to pay import duty on things like that, it is not something i know anything about, the pricking irons seem to be the main thing on there website i might consider buying as they seem to be well priced and good quality,thanks again for the good advice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Ah well....at the moment I have a cold, and I'm trying to frighten it away with Scotch. Problem is, when I've been drinking I tend to get a bit philosophical or rambling..... I've just searched Google for leatherwork courses (I think!) and have come up with several references. Keep searching diamond awl.co.uk theidentity store tannerbates.co.uk craftcourses.com cherrywoodproject leprevo.co.uk there are others, just work your way around; sort out these references yourself! Where abouts in the UK do you live, JAZZMAN? I think you would benefit very much from going on a course. Be warned, they vary from expensive to very expensive and then you have the travel & accommodation as well On the other hand, you can read & read, and surf & surf, but there's nothing like being taught by an experienced instructor. If you want to do this, do it properly Surf the Net, there are lots to choose from I learned so much more in one day at the Identity Store than I had in months of reading What I hear I forget What I see I remember What I do I understand When I said I was going to drink a bottle of whisky down to the label, I meant the top of the label, not the bottom! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Hey zulu, sadly going away on a course would be out of the question, the reason i have come to leatherwork is because i have a degenerative disease in my spine which severely restricts my mobility, my wife is my full time carer and has to help me with getting up and down stairs on and off buses that sort of thing, i also have other health issues which would prevent me from travelling long distances. I am not telling you this to look for sympathy(i did the feeling sorry for myself bit when i had to give up work ten years ago) i am merely explaining why that would be out of the question. Are we talking good single malt whisky, i love glenmorangie myself when i can afford a bottle that is.Oh yes i am in West Yorkshire, where are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25b Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Before you get overcharged at goodsjapan, go check out http://www.leathercrafttools.com Lot cheaper for the exact same items and their service and communication is great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted November 9, 2014 25b Thanks for the info. I've only had a glance at them so far, looks interesting so perhaps in the future Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Before you get overcharged at goodsjapan, go check out http://www.leathercrafttools.com Lot cheaper for the exact same items and their service and communication is greaH Hi 25b, i have just ordered a pricking iron it came to under £7 including postage and does indeed look exactly like the ones on goods japan,at this price i thought go for it , do you have and use some of their tools and have you found them to be a reliable company? If you could tell us a bit about your experiences with them that would be great, thanks again for the link.Peace. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverwingit Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Thanks for the link, 25b. I just purchased a "LC Diamond Hole Punch PRO set." I'll be interested to see what the tools and shipping are like. The price was definitely right. I'll report back when I receive them. The clock is ticking. Michelle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25b Report post Posted November 9, 2014 I'm glad you all like the link. I have had great transactions with leathercrafttools.com One time I had to combine orders because I found some other items I wanted to order after I'd just finalized another order. They understood my request and had no trouble combining the orders to ship at the same time and they refunded the additional shipping. The tools and other items are exactly the same as goodsjapan and also those I bought when I was in Tokyo. I order from them pretty regularly. I hope you all will have great experiences with them. I am glad they are a great alternative to the much more expensive goodsjapan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BearMan Report post Posted November 10, 2014 Hi Jazzman,,, the best Burnishers are at: www.leatherburnishers.com there is also some instructions & tips about burnishing there... In full disclosure it is owned & operated by my son & his best friend. They ship all over the world & they have a good delivery time now that they are working at it full time now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 10, 2014 Hi Jazzman,,, the best Burnishers are at: www.leatherburnishers.com there is also some instructions & tips about burnishing there... In full disclosure it is owned & operated by my son & his best friend. They ship all over the world & they have a good delivery time now that they are working at it full time now. Thanks bearman, i will take a look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25b Report post Posted November 10, 2014 Jazzman, Sent you a PM about burnisher sources. Kind regards.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
