Members DavidL Posted August 15, 2015 Members Report Posted August 15, 2015 When dealing with leathers like horween has anyone used a belt sander? The leather may be too soft? Also, How do you get all the edges squared? With multiple pieces its hard to get the piece square and flat. My pieces have a lot of dips and valleys and takes forever to sand by hand even with 80 grit. Quote
mlapaglia Posted August 16, 2015 Report Posted August 16, 2015 Cut the edges a little longer than needed and power sand them to size. Its not needed but will save a LOT of time. Belt, drum, dremel, some kind of power sander will really help. Quote The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. Bruce Lee
Members snubbyfan Posted August 16, 2015 Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 From my wood worker days, I've got 3 kinda power sanders. A vertical disc, horizontal belt and a sanding drum chucked into my drill press. For a long straight edge the belt sander works best. On an edge with inside curves, I use the sanding drum. I also do some hand sanding. For that I use a sanding block with 150 grit. Belt sanded this one. Used the sanding drum on this one. Hand sanded the belt with 150 grit on a sanding block. Quote Keep on Chooglin'Check out my YouTube Channel, comment and subscribe for updateshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOM3hbruUKHov9kquIxXKlA
Members DavidL Posted August 16, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 snubby those are great edges. I will check out a sanding drum. I redid the edges and they came out fine with sanding block this time. For longer items I will pick up a sanding belt Quote
Members CustomDoug Posted August 16, 2015 Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 I thought I needed a belt sander so I ran out to Harbour Freight and bought one of their small vertical belt sanders that sits on a table top. It uses like a 3/4 to 1" sanding belt (can't remember which). I do not recommend this version of a sander - it's only useful for the shortest pieces like small card holders, wallets, etc - with straight edges of course. It was cheap so I'll have it when needed but honestly I'm really still wanting a much bigger horizontal belt sander. For long belts and straps my little sander is useless and frustrating. I feel like a bigger horizontal machine with like a 3-4"wide sanding belt would be a heck of a lot better.tion I also plan on getting drum sanders in some configuration, definitely needed. Doug C Quote Does Anyone Know Where the Love of God Goes When the Waves Turn Minutes to Hours?
Members DavidL Posted August 16, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 I will keep that in mind. A horizontal sander w/ an 90 degree flat guide. Quote
Members Dwight Posted August 16, 2015 Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 I own two of the Harbor Freight $49.95 or thereabouts belt sanders, . . . I think it is a 1 inch belt sander. They are worth their weight in gold for me: holsters, purses, belts, . . . you name it. I don't know what problems others have with it, . . . I can sand down the edge of a 44 inch belt in about 4 minutes, . . . perfectly straight, . . . square, . . . and ready for the edger. Anything wider cuts far too much of the leather, . . . leaves valleys, . . . etc. Drum sanders for me are only good for inside curves, . . . something I do not do a lot with. I got one from Menard's with a coupon, . . . would probably take it back if I could, . . . it oscillates, . . . which doesn't do well for my leather work. I also have a big 12 inch disc sander, . . . very rarely use it with leather. My suggestion is to try the Harbor Freight belt sander, . . . I give it 2 thumbs up. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members DavidL Posted August 16, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 What grit do you use? 220, 400? Quote
Members Dwight Posted August 16, 2015 Members Report Posted August 16, 2015 80 and 120 May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members CustomDoug Posted August 17, 2015 Members Report Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) The only problem with the 1" version of HF's sander (for me) is that there is not enough room to work longer pieces. The base plate is in the way. Maybe if the whole sanding belt protruded completely and could be mounted so that the belt stuck out past a table edge it would be a lot better. A horizontal belt sander on the other hand is completely open on both ends (and is longer). Dwight wrote: "..Anything wider cuts far too much of the leather, . . . leaves valleys, . . . etc..." - Dwight are you saying that a wider sanding belt causes those problems? I'm not sure how that would be the case as the grit is going to be the same between the narrow and wider belt. Do you have experience with a horizontal sander? If that's true I may need to reconsider. Thanks. Doug C Edited August 17, 2015 by CustomDoug Quote Does Anyone Know Where the Love of God Goes When the Waves Turn Minutes to Hours?
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