Finishing edges when the inside is lined

[Furthark]

Hi All,

I'm currently making two pads. One 8.5" sqr for a mouse pad and the other is ~12" sqr as a top/cover for a wire frame bookshelf used as a side table. For both I plan to line the underside/flesh side with suede. What I'm uncertain about is how the liner will effect the edge finishing process. For example, I've been beveling, sanding, and wet burnishing my edges before dyeing but if I do that I'll have a rounded edge on the bottom which I anticipate will make trimming the liner to the edge really hard. 

So some specific question:

• On a lined piece of leather when would you finish the edges, before lining or after?
• If lining before finishing, anything to watch out for? Would a burnishing tool used on the edge scuff or mar the suede? Will the beeswax or other material stain the suede?
• Once the liner is glued down, can I bevel both the veg tan and suede as I would just the veg tan?
• If finishing the edge before gluing the liner, is there anything to watch out for?

Lastly, though it's not an edge question but it is about the pads, what can I do make them flat? I notice the leather curls up when drying and flipping it over mitigates that a bit. I also notice when I oil, adding that suppleness back to the leather tends to flatten it. Any other tips? When I glue the liner on, if I sandwich it between flat surfaces and put a weight on top, will that help to flatten the pad?

All advice is greatly appreciated.

[sheathmaker]

The suede is NOT going to finish exactly like the veg tan.  You will always see at least a texture difference. Any finish (bees wax, saddle soap etc. will darken if not stain the suede. For the application intended for these two pieces, I believe I would finish both pieces of the veg tan completely and then glue up the lining and then trim it flush with a #11 Exacto blade and leave it with the very sharp cut edge with no further finish.  When in actual use the suede will become almost "invisible" any way

Placing the mats between two flat surfaces under weight should take care of the curling.  In fact, if they are just damp, not wet, that would be even better.  Just let them dry completely under the weight.

If you are lining something else, knife sheath, holster etc. the process is entirely different.

Paul 

Edited March 1, 2018 by sheathmaker

[Webicons]

When finishing the edges on pieces that join dissimilar materials I always use edge paint.  Suede is a bit troublesome because it wicks the paint so getting a crisp edge is difficult sometimes and excess paint is hard to clean off of suede.  Just go slowly and don’t put too much paint on your applicator at one time. 

[Furthark]

Thanks. I think was leaning towards finishing the edges after gluing the liner on but based on the feedback, I'll try finishing them first and then carefully cutting the liner to fit. I'm not using edge paint so, that's not an option right now.