Finishing Edges with Hot Beeswax

[Mongo]

I'm at my full time job right now so I can't send a picture.

I took 5-7 1 1/2" wool felt washers that I bought on Amazon and put them on a threaded bolt with steel washer on both ends.  I tightened a nut behind the washer at the back end of the bolt and I had a nice couple of inches to burnish with. I don't know why you couldn't make a smaller version that would work on a Dremel.  I use a small felt wheel that comes with my Dremel attachments to burnish small areas.

My power burnisher is a table top drill press set on its side.  It runs at a nice slow speed and works perfectly.  I use Fiebing's Glycerine Bar Soap on a similar set-up to wet burnish to cut any friction.  I also do all holster welts on the same machine.  I just pull the burnishing "bolt" out and replace it with a sanding drum. 

Edited May 13, 2016 by Mongo

[wlg190861]

19 hours ago, bob21804 said:

Thanks! I was already aware of that type. In fact I have a buddy making me one in exchange for a small leather case. We're thinking about making it with a piece of Bakelite. I thought there was also another, motorized type, with a type of cloth wheel. Am I totally off base with that?? And do you think Bakelite would be a good material for one similar to the one you pictured?

I'm not sure as I am pretty new  to leather work myself

[bob21804]

1 hour ago, Mongo said:

I'm at my full time job right now so I can't send a picture.

I took 5-7 1 1/2" wool felt washers that I bought on Amazon and put them on a threaded bolt with steel washer on both ends.  I tightened a nut behind the washer at the back end of the bolt and I had a nice couple of inches to burnish with. I don't know why you couldn't make a smaller version that would work on a Dremel.  I use a small felt wheel that comes with my Dremel attachments to burnish small areas.

My power burnisher is a table top drill press set on its side.  It runs at a nice slow speed and works perfectly.  I use Fiebing's Glycerine Bar Soap on a similar set-up to wet burnish to cut any friction.  I also do all holster welts on the same machine.  I just pull the burnishing "bolt" out and replace it with a sanding drum. 

Thanks! Your last 2 posts have been ringing bells for me. Did you make a YouTube Video showing this setup or see a similar setup on Youtube? I definitely recall seeing something like this before, and it's giving me ideas. At my day job, I'm able to get a hold of various size felt cylinder shaped disks - some over an inch in diameter by about 1 1/2" thick. I brought some smaller ones home in the past to try using them as applicators for dying edges, but I never thought about using them to burnish.  I'll definitely be experimenting to see what I can put together.

[eglideride]

Youtube- Richard Black tutorial...I haven't tried it. On my list though.

[bob21804]

1 minute ago, eglideride said:

Youtube- Richard Black tutorial...I haven't tried it. On my list though.

Ahhh, thanks. I knew I saw it somewhere, but wasn't able to find it recently when I looked. I'll definitely revisit it. Working on a couple wallets ATM.

[YinTx]

For a minute there, I thought you were wanting to know about this technique:

 

 

YinTx

[bob21804]

1 hour ago, YinTx said:

For a minute there, I thought you were wanting to know about this technique:

 

 

YinTx

I have seen that one too... as well as one using the felt washers on a bolt setup. It seems there are several similar ways to skin a cat.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Anyone know where to get those edge irons used in the above video, or are they something you have to make or have made?

[gigi]

Anyone knows this technique in the next video at minute 1:42 ?  Is he using wax and a burnisher? Thanks!

 

Edited May 16, 2016 by gigi

[klaykrusher]

On 5/13/2016 at 5:21 PM, eglideride said:

Youtube- Richard Black tutorial...I haven't tried it. On my list though.

Any one know what happened to 'ol Richard?  He hasn't created any new vids for a long time.  I enjoyed his creations and down-to-earth style.