Advice on home made power burnisher?

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards,
Here a while back, several of you guys designed and made some home made power burnisher's! Most likely my problem is being lazy but I seem to have a great deal of problem getting my edges looking nice!! I was just wondering how the home maid power burnisher's worked, and what you used to make yours??
I would be most great full to hear about your home made power burnisher and how good does it work!!
Thanks
ACE

[outrider]

My burnisher is made from several 1.5 inch diameter discs made from 100% wool felt (approx 1/2" thick)  This is the set up that John Bianchi has in his video on holster making.  Works well...especially if you use a 50/50 blend of parafin mixed with bees wax.....die the edges first  burnish...then apply a coat of edge coat...I use it on a 1750  RPM motor...any faster you will burn the leather

[Gun Butcher]

Ace you have been reading my mind . Thanks for asking that question. Now I know what the next addition to my shop is going to be.

[GunClick Rick]

I'd be askin Ned Buckshot that question.I don't know what he does but he makes a holster and rig that will last forever and the edges are just downright purty,smooth and like it was just part of the rest of the leather.Took mine down this mornin ands wore it around the house a bit,shoulda took some pics.Bueatiful workin stuff man.

[Ned Buckshot]

I do all my edges by hand with a piece of canvas. I've tried differant attachments in my drill press, wheels, spindles etc. but always go back to the way I've been doing these OH So Many Years!

Ned

[Ace Lungger]

I want to thank everyone for there advice. I have heard that the canvas works, I have never use it. I think my biggest problem is that I am lazy and don't put enough effort in to the job
Thanks
ACE

[outrider]

I sometimes use pieces of old denim...bluejean pockets work really well.

[Freedom]

Like this Ace... here's my hand burnisher 





I made it from an old llathe head and a real old elctric engine,

The lathe head is Great...  I can add my  drill chuck and use it as a drum sander, Buffing wheel, etc. I have tried a lot of diffent things...one that worked pretty good was a pice of canvas glued to a little drum sander wheel ...

but in the end I always come back to my Cherry Wood spindel with the face plate... I made the spindle on my lathe with several diffent shaped grooves and it will polish and seal an edge like Nothing else..

I run it pretty slow...just fast enough to melt/rub-in the wax...but not burn the leather

I'd think that the lathe head could be replicated with a few 2x's , some bearrings,  a steel rod,, and a pulley/gear .. have to work out some sort of a chuck
Hope this helps

[Ace Lungger]

howdy Freedom,
That is AWESOME, no doubt that looks like it will do a great job!! If I ever get feeling good enough to turn a spindle on my lathe I might make something like that!!! I can see that by making different sizes it would allow you to use it on anything!!
Thanks!!
ACE

[Dr. Bob]

By golly Ace, yer on the right track!   Take care!