Which leather burnishing machine to buy?

[VinnieAndy]

I have been looking at the same Tandy burnisher as well. I debated on a drill press but what would I use for sanding drums and burnishers? Where do I get that? I am also Canadian and I have no interest in trying to build one myself because I wouldn't even know where to start. I use a Dremel too now and 1 piece of leather wipes out a grinding stone. Also, British pounds or something from the UK is out of the question because it is much too expensive.

A simple answer would be appreciated! I just make horse tack and I want it to look great and professional. One thing I like about the Tandy one is you can sharpen your tools with it. RivetandChain, what did you actually end up getting?

Thanks for any help! 

[KittenThrasher]

On 28/03/2018 at 11:21 PM, KittenThrasher said:

I just bought one of Nigel Armitage's burnishers from justwood.com, it's a good quality burnishing drum made of Ash with a sanding drum on the other end like the Tandy one, however this one is a LOT cheaper and rather better quality.

I've played with Tandy's burnisher and in my opinion it was massively underpowered and overpriced. you can do a lot better from Justwood.com for less money. (ps I don't work for them or have any relationship with them.)

[Northmount]

On 7/1/2018 at 11:11 PM, VinnieAndy said:

I debated on a drill press but what would I use for sanding drums and burnishers? Where do I get that?

Check out your local Canadian Tire store for a bench mounted drill press and sanding drums.  You can also look at BusyBee for same.  BusyBee probably has more sanding drums.  Another place to check out for sanding drums is Lee Valley.

https://www.busybeetools.com/

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en.html

http://www.leevalley.com/en/home/Search.aspx?action=n

Tom

 

[BDAZ]

Harbor Freight Burisher                       $34 

Cocobolo burnisher with 3/8 shaft    $44

Arbor adaptor, 1/2" to 3/8"                  $12

Total                                                        $90

Not blowing $250 on a Tandy Burnisher Priceless

The buffer wheel is fantastic for stropping and sharpening swivel knives, head knives and box cutter blades. Don't know how I did without it!

Had this about two weeks now and love it. The burnisher works fine at 3450 rpm. Speed is a function of diameter. A larger burnisher may be too fast.

 

[VinnieAndy]

Northmount and BDAZ, THANK YOU!!!! That actually helped alot and disuaded me from the tandy burnisher!!

Now i HATE my Techsew GA5-1 sewing machine and looking fir something new...my next quest. This machine is HORRIBLE. 

[BDAZ]

3200

[JKHelms]

I ordered the Tandy burnisher and reworked it to fit my HF buffer. Made a leather stropping wheel for the other end. Way less than  a $100 Buck’s in it.

Makes burnishing belts and holsters a dream.

[Hildebrand]

JKHelms,

That is exactly what I did for mine, then I bought a cheap grinder stand and its self contained.

Todd

[theleatherguy]

On 7/3/2018 at 2:05 PM, BDAZ said:

Cocobolo burnisher with 3/8 shaft    $44

Arbor adaptor, 1/2" to 3/8"                  $12

Hi BDAZ,  I'm trying replicate your set-up and wondering where you purchased the above 2 items?  Thank you!

[BDAZ]

I already owned the burnisher which I was using in my drill press but I would have purchased this one:

http://proedgeburnishers.com/motor-burnishers.html

Same guy makes it and has the adapter for the buffer built in.

Another benefit to having this buffer is using the buffing wheel for polishing edges after sharpening.

Bob