Do I Need To Get A Belt Sander?

[Nuttish]

https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/oscillating-edge-belt-spindle-sander.

It's a nice machine, particularly because you can't get spindles in fine grits, but you can get very high quality 4x24 belts up to 600 from Klingspor.

Many Horween leathers are much harder to work with than people give them credit for. It's hard to answer until you get more specific about what tannages you intend to use.

[Dwight]

Doug, . . . I come from a carpentry / woodworking background, . . . so I've used just about every type of sander that is made. Honestly if someone brought me a horizontal sander, . . . it would go into the corner until I found a buyer for it. I just don't like them.

Look at the little drawing, . . . that is how I use the HF belt sander for belts, purses, leashes, holsters, . . . everything but my fingernails. It was drawn as though you were up looking straight down over top of the top pulley.

I can control the "cut" with this sander, . . . wider ones I cannot as well, . . . but probably something in that may be due to using this kind more.

I can do everything except an inside curve smaller than about 4 inches, . . . then I go to the drum sander.

What I really like about it, . . . it works for all my stuff, . . . I'm constantly making little wooden jigs, . . . adjusting a mold, . . . stuff like that where a sander is needed, and it does double duty by doing the wood as well as the leather, . . . I even sharpen my drill bits on it, . . . my chisels too.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited August 17, 2015 by Dwight

[Dwight]

FWIW, . . . had 4 belts to sand, . . . edge, . . . groove, . . . stitch, . . . and dye.

Done !

This pic is after they have been sanded and edged, . . . should have taken the picture before edging, . . . didn't think of it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[snubbyfan]

FWIW, . . . had 4 belts to sand, . . . edge, . . . groove, . . . stitch, . . . and dye.

Done !

This pic is after they have been sanded and edged, . . . should have taken the picture before edging, . . . didn't think of it.

May God bless,

Dwight

Looks good, that's gonna burnish nice. If I did a lot of belts, I'd use your system.

I just got a holster sanded.

[Chief31794]

I've got a belt sander but I got a oscillating drum sander a while back from Harbor Freight and I use it 95% of the time now, quick change for different diameter drums and it does a great job on straight or curved edges including inside curves. I did cover the table with shelf paper which I do with my drill press and some other machines to prevent metal oxidation from getting on the leather.

Chief

[oltoot]

I didn'y need one til I got one now I can't imagine life without it. And I have a HFT vertical belt sander too. Great little tool but I wouldn't trade though I'm glad I don't have to.

[CustomDoug]

Wow Dwight nice illustration! And I have to admit that I have not tried pulling the leather across the sanding belt like that. I've only thought to run the sanding belt perpendicular with the leather. I will give it a go and try to look at my 1" vertical belt sander with new eyes. Sure seems effective from the look of your straps. I do sort of feel like that's going to take a good eye for "wavy-ness" in the line .. but I have a good eye (haha).

What I was thinking (w/ the horizontal unit) is to make a sort of thin wooden clamp to sandwich the leather in - think two paint stir sticks clamped together with wing nuts/bolts or even just simple office bull clips. Clamp it about 1/8" from the edge of the leather or so, then sand it level holding the piece perpendicular to the horizontal belt. This would help develop an even line quicker and control the strap at the same time.

I like that Rigid machine too. Does harbor freight have similar?

Doug C

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Just to add this, a guy can never have enough "toys or tools". If you think you need it, you can even put up a good case to your wife for having her get it for you, birthday, anniversary, Father's day whatever.

Bob

[snubbyfan]

Just to add this, a guy can never have enough "toys or tools". If you think you need it, you can even put up a good case to your wife for having her get it for you, birthday, anniversary, Father's day whatever.

Bob

That reminds me. My wife asked me one day,"How many power tools do you need?" My reply was,"All of them."

[JLSleather]

I don't have a belt sander, and I get by jus' fine I used to do woodwork, back when i had the space, and a belt sander was nice. Also table saw, router, variable drill press, planer, shaper, and some hand tools (and a million billion clamps). Been thinking about getting some more room and opening a wood shop -- in which case I'll need a belt sander.

BUT, back to leather craft. Cut with a SHARP knife (yes, I know it's harder to find a sharp knife now than it used to be). Save the 400 grit for sanding walnut or oak.