Two tips for this machine...1, use water based lube to get the sanding sleeves on. Smear a tiny amount on the wheel 1st. Putting the sleeve on after that Is super easy, barely an inconvenience. It will dry in no time and be ready to use in 5 mins. 2, Mount the machine on a board as wide as the base so you have lots of room to manoeuvre and fit larger pieces under it. Bonus tip... make a shroud out of something like an icecream container and mount it behind the sander to contain the mess. 🤙
@Black Flag Leather Goods that's an honour I'll proudly take mate. You are the guy that convinced me to buy one and I use the thing all the time. It made life a lot easier. 🤙
I found one on Amazon for about $130 and decided to take the plunge based off this video. Genuinely a game changed and absolutely helps speed up burnishing for larger pieces! Thank you so much for putting quality information out!
Saw your review just as my spouse, (Artful Leather) was starting to fulfill an order for 240 coasters. Your information helped us decide to take a chance on the Amazon burnisher/sander. Having been putting some hours on it for the past few days and find it adequate and very time saving to water burnish the coaster edges. It has much more turning power than I expected for its size and does not bog down during sanding or burnishing tasks. And the small size is perfect for a small shop. Happy we trusted your recommendation. Keep up the great videos!
Hey Jack I'm so glad it's working well for you! You truly can't beat it for that price! Stoked you guys got a huge order like that! I've seen your guys stuff on instagram. You do good work!
You could mount the burnisher to a piece of plywood or other wood and clamp that to your bench. You can place it anywhere you need it and put it away if it takes up space on your bench. If using the two holes toward the front of the motor, wedge a piece of leather or wood before screwing it down to keep it from tilting forward. You can use those two holes to mount it to a board as well, then clamp it to your bench or other work surface. Nice video review.
Thank you! I was actually going to mount it to a board so I could move it around but I wanted a second workbench for my 3d printer anyway and had the spare room. Thanks for watching!
Hey Tim: Glad you did a follow up on this machine. A suggestion. I have a small piece of crepe sole for removing rubber and contact cement. It serves a secondary purpose. It will clean clogged sand paper to get more life out of the drum. You simply turn on the machine and rub the crepe onto it and it will get in between the grit. The other thing I would try is to move the machine to the edge of you table. It looked like the height of the burnishing side is too low and you bump into the table surface. That might mar the edge. The other thing is to lift the machine up a couple of inches so you have clearance. Otherwise, looks like a great machine. (I am wondering if you could cut the sanding sleeves in half and have two grits on the spindle at one time).
Oh I will look into the crepe sole! That sounds amazing actually! And you're absolutely right about it being better if it's near the edge... I just stripped the screws and haven't felt like dealing with them yet to move it haha. It would be best if someone built like a pedestal for it to sit on. I think the Cobra one comes on a pedestal and it looks perfect. Thanks for watching, Bruce!
@@BlackFlagLeatherGoods You will be amazed at how a simple piece of crepe will extend the life of your sanding surface. I had this left over from my OLD graphic design days (those days are over using rubber cement for anything). I saw a video from the Wood Workers Guild of America and found my little piece. Now they sell crepe blocks just for this purpose. I just use my little piece. Love your videos. Nice and easy. Really informative. Thank you!
I'm excited! I found it for sale at a local hardware store. They're claiming it can triple the life of sandpaper. I had ever even heard of it. Thank you!
Love your videos. As someone just dipping into leatherworks, I appreciate the commentary from someone who is fresh as well (but clearly ahead of me). Just an FYI, as of 5/16/23 the Amazon Price is $126.99, though I am not ready for that expenditure yet, but likely in the future.
Thanks for the great video. I had a question about the sanding part - I've heard you say in other videos that you cycle up through many different grits of sandpaper. Does that mean you typically swap out the different grits of sandpaper and if so, how long does it take?
Woodworking and general homeowner level carpentry has taught me that there are good screws (GRK and spax) and bad screws (most everything else) and the hardware that comes with stuff is never good. If you aren’t using them for a matched finish, buy good screws and throw out anything that comes in the box.
Hi Tim ! I've but the burnisher. And sand paper are so crap to install. .... I was hoping you give a trick 😁. I will have to find my own way 😂. Thank's for the review!!
Oh man it's kind of a bitch to put on. I just kind of squish it and push the sleeve on inch by inch. That's why I didn't take it back off for my review haha. I guess it's better than the sleeve being loose though.
I know this comment is old, but for anyone who may see this question another commenter suggested putting a small amount of water-based lube on the drum and then putting the sandpaper on. I tried it and it makes it a lot easier.
I just found these for $100 on Ebay ( USA ) and was wondering about them because they look nearly identical to the machine Tandy sells for $200 and I was curious whether it was actually the same. My biggest question was really just how the sanding medium attaches ( they don't look like drums in the pictures ) and where I'd get more.
Just watched your video and your advice was great! I just started my leather boutique business and am still working on perfecting my skills. I am hoping you would be able to give me some tips. I seem to struggle with making the edges on my leather products look crisp and flat when I have three layers. I am working on a nose band for horse halters and I use this machine to sand and burnish, but really like to use edge kote as a final touch. It looks amazing when I only have two layers but I can't get the ridges out when I have 3. Any suggestions 😊
I definitely can do those! Arbor press is actually on my list already. As for Canadian leather suppliers, OA Leather Supply is by far my favourite, but I'll add leather suppliers to my video list as well
This is not about the burnisher but I just started and having trouble getting a straight line and I have tried different things and still having trouble any ideas
Make sure you strop your knife when you start every project. You want it razor sharp. Use a good straight edge. Make multiple passes with your knife instead of one pass pushing it all the way through - that can cause the leather to warp and consequently it gets cut crooked even though you used a straight edge. Most importantly though: practice. Everything will get better if you just keep at it.
I will try making more cuts instead of trying to do it once and I never thought about strapping the razor blade I'll give it a try thank you keep up the good work like watching your channel
Screw the machine on a board as wide as the socket, 10 inch longer on the backside. Mount that on your bench, now both arms of the machine are accessible from the bottom so that you can pull your leather stripes upward, a all belt in one pull. Much easier, more secure.
Hi, Don't use 80 &120grit(its eats lot of leather flesh😜)... Buy 240 & 400 grit self adhesive sandpaper. U can paste two grits together on the wheel. Buffing wheel made of Leather( Grain side out & paste beeswax ) is good for burnishing Flesh side & Polishing Grain Side.
I use 120 on mine because I want it to eat a lot of leather. Once I have it where I want it, I hand sand down to around 1000 grit for those shiny edges ✨
it is great price. am just afraid of import fee. I mean TAX in Europe. am living in Netherlands. may I ask where is this company? do you know maybe? thanks in advance. also thanks for video. subscribed/liked.
Bought one. How the heck do you get the sleeve onto the drum without crippling yourself? I took some advice and tried putting the drum in the freezer. Took me 20 minutes to get the sleeve onto it and I'm pretty sure my hand is going to be black and blue tomorrow.
Another commenter suggested using a small amount of water-based lube on the drum first. It makes it a lot easier to get it on. It's not super easy, but I'd say it's at least 60% easier to put it on.
Hahaha! I don't know that I've actually ever heard someone else say it before! I got to that part and said it and realized I actually have no idea! I guess there's at least two of us that pronounce it like that!
Two tips for this machine...1, use water based lube to get the sanding sleeves on. Smear a tiny amount on the wheel 1st. Putting the sleeve on after that Is super easy, barely an inconvenience. It will dry in no time and be ready to use in 5 mins.
2, Mount the machine on a board as wide as the base so you have lots of room to manoeuvre and fit larger pieces under it.
Bonus tip... make a shroud out of something like an icecream container and mount it behind the sander to contain the mess. 🤙
You are brilliant. I'm pinning this comment. Thank you.
@Black Flag Leather Goods that's an honour I'll proudly take mate. You are the guy that convinced me to buy one and I use the thing all the time. It made life a lot easier. 🤙
Thanks for the lube tip! It made the process MUCH easier.
I'm going to try the other tricks as well. Can you clarify what you mean about the shroud?
What is a good water based lube?
I found one on Amazon for about $130 and decided to take the plunge based off this video. Genuinely a game changed and absolutely helps speed up burnishing for larger pieces! Thank you so much for putting quality information out!
I'm glad you like it as much as I do! And thanks for watching!
Saw your review just as my spouse, (Artful Leather) was starting to fulfill an order for 240 coasters. Your information helped us decide to take a chance on the Amazon burnisher/sander. Having been putting some hours on it for the past few days and find it adequate and very time saving to water burnish the coaster edges. It has much more turning power than I expected for its size and does not bog down during sanding or burnishing tasks. And the small size is perfect for a small shop. Happy we trusted your recommendation. Keep up the great videos!
Hey Jack I'm so glad it's working well for you! You truly can't beat it for that price! Stoked you guys got a huge order like that! I've seen your guys stuff on instagram. You do good work!
Hello...How are you doing ?
You could mount the burnisher to a piece of plywood or other wood and clamp that to your bench. You can place it anywhere you need it and put it away if it takes up space on your bench. If using the two holes toward the front of the motor, wedge a piece of leather or wood before screwing it down to keep it from tilting forward. You can use those two holes to mount it to a board as well, then clamp it to your bench or other work surface. Nice video review.
Thank you! I was actually going to mount it to a board so I could move it around but I wanted a second workbench for my 3d printer anyway and had the spare room.
Thanks for watching!
Hello...How are you doing ?
Hey Tim: Glad you did a follow up on this machine. A suggestion. I have a small piece of crepe sole for removing rubber and contact cement. It serves a secondary purpose. It will clean clogged sand paper to get more life out of the drum. You simply turn on the machine and rub the crepe onto it and it will get in between the grit. The other thing I would try is to move the machine to the edge of you table. It looked like the height of the burnishing side is too low and you bump into the table surface. That might mar the edge. The other thing is to lift the machine up a couple of inches so you have clearance. Otherwise, looks like a great machine. (I am wondering if you could cut the sanding sleeves in half and have two grits on the spindle at one time).
Oh I will look into the crepe sole! That sounds amazing actually!
And you're absolutely right about it being better if it's near the edge... I just stripped the screws and haven't felt like dealing with them yet to move it haha. It would be best if someone built like a pedestal for it to sit on. I think the Cobra one comes on a pedestal and it looks perfect.
Thanks for watching, Bruce!
@@BlackFlagLeatherGoods You will be amazed at how a simple piece of crepe will extend the life of your sanding surface. I had this left over from my OLD graphic design days (those days are over using rubber cement for anything). I saw a video from the Wood Workers Guild of America and found my little piece. Now they sell crepe blocks just for this purpose. I just use my little piece. Love your videos. Nice and easy. Really informative. Thank you!
I'm excited! I found it for sale at a local hardware store. They're claiming it can triple the life of sandpaper. I had ever even heard of it. Thank you!
Hello...How are you doing ?
Love your videos. As someone just dipping into leatherworks, I appreciate the commentary from someone who is fresh as well (but clearly ahead of me). Just an FYI, as of 5/16/23 the Amazon Price is $126.99, though I am not ready for that expenditure yet, but likely in the future.
Thanks for the great video. I had a question about the sanding part - I've heard you say in other videos that you cycle up through many different grits of sandpaper. Does that mean you typically swap out the different grits of sandpaper and if so, how long does it take?
Woodworking and general homeowner level carpentry has taught me that there are good screws (GRK and spax) and bad screws (most everything else) and the hardware that comes with stuff is never good. If you aren’t using them for a matched finish, buy good screws and throw out anything that comes in the box.
Oh man I just discovered GRK's this year rebuilding the dock at my family's cabin. Top notch
Hello...How are you doing ?
Hi Tim ! I've but the burnisher. And sand paper are so crap to install. .... I was hoping you give a trick 😁. I will have to find my own way 😂. Thank's for the review!!
Oh man it's kind of a bitch to put on. I just kind of squish it and push the sleeve on inch by inch. That's why I didn't take it back off for my review haha. I guess it's better than the sleeve being loose though.
Hello...How are you doing ?
I know this comment is old, but for anyone who may see this question another commenter suggested putting a small amount of water-based lube on the drum and then putting the sandpaper on. I tried it and it makes it a lot easier.
Awesome review! Good stuff Tim
Thanks so much! I appreciate it!
I just found these for $100 on Ebay ( USA ) and was wondering about them because they look nearly identical to the machine Tandy sells for $200 and I was curious whether it was actually the same.
My biggest question was really just how the sanding medium attaches ( they don't look like drums in the pictures ) and where I'd get more.
Just watched your video and your advice was great! I just started my leather boutique business and am still working on perfecting my skills. I am hoping you would be able to give me some tips. I seem to struggle with making the edges on my leather products look crisp and flat when I have three layers. I am working on a nose band for horse halters and I use this machine to sand and burnish, but really like to use edge kote as a final touch. It looks amazing when I only have two layers but I can't get the ridges out when I have 3. Any suggestions 😊
Thanks so much watched you first review and ordered it got it in today and will put together and try it. TurkeyCreekDesign
That's awesome! I think you'll like it!
Making a leather sleeve for the sanding drum and loading with compound would make a good rotary strop for leather tools
you should do a video on Canadian leather suppliers. Also one on arbor press tips n tricks
I definitely can do those! Arbor press is actually on my list already. As for Canadian leather suppliers, OA Leather Supply is by far my favourite, but I'll add leather suppliers to my video list as well
I'm making sandals, can the sander be used to trim down soles?
I don't make sandals but I'd imagine so.
Have you tried using a dremel? How does it compare? I am considering both options so any feedback is appreciated
Which sanding sleeves do you use for the machine? I can't find any!
Definitely on my wish list.
This is not about the burnisher but I just started and having trouble getting a straight line and I have tried different things and still having trouble any ideas
Like trouble cutting straight lines?
Yes
Make sure you strop your knife when you start every project. You want it razor sharp. Use a good straight edge. Make multiple passes with your knife instead of one pass pushing it all the way through - that can cause the leather to warp and consequently it gets cut crooked even though you used a straight edge. Most importantly though: practice. Everything will get better if you just keep at it.
I will try making more cuts instead of trying to do it once and I never thought about strapping the razor blade I'll give it a try thank you keep up the good work like watching your channel
Good luck! Let me know how it goes!
Screw the machine on a board as wide as the socket, 10 inch longer on the backside.
Mount that on your bench, now both arms of the machine are accessible from the bottom so that you can pull your leather stripes upward, a all belt in one pull. Much easier, more secure.
Awesome video brother! I’ll stick to my trusty drill press though 😉
Haha if I had a drill press, I'd probably do the same!
Thanks, brother!
Hello...How are you doing ?
Do you still feel as pleased with the machine as you did when you did the review? (It's now 2 years later.)
Hi, Don't use 80 &120grit(its eats lot of leather flesh😜)... Buy 240 & 400 grit self adhesive sandpaper. U can paste two grits together on the wheel.
Buffing wheel made of Leather( Grain side out & paste beeswax ) is good for burnishing Flesh side & Polishing Grain Side.
I use 120 on mine because I want it to eat a lot of leather. Once I have it where I want it, I hand sand down to around 1000 grit for those shiny edges ✨
Hello...How are you doing ?
it is great price. am just afraid of import fee. I mean TAX in Europe. am living in Netherlands. may I ask where is this company? do you know maybe?
thanks in advance.
also thanks for video. subscribed/liked.
China
Great review
Thanks, brother!
Hello...How are you doing ?
Bought one. How the heck do you get the sleeve onto the drum without crippling yourself? I took some advice and tried putting the drum in the freezer. Took me 20 minutes to get the sleeve onto it and I'm pretty sure my hand is going to be black and blue tomorrow.
Hahaha it's a pretty tight fit. I haven't had to switch out my sleeve yet but I'm dreading the day
@@BlackFlagLeatherGoods dang, was hoping for a trick. I swear half of the skin for my fingers ended up on the sandpaper. What grit are you using?
Another commenter suggested using a small amount of water-based lube on the drum first. It makes it a lot easier to get it on. It's not super easy, but I'd say it's at least 60% easier to put it on.
I say it the same way you did 😂
Hahaha! I don't know that I've actually ever heard someone else say it before! I got to that part and said it and realized I actually have no idea! I guess there's at least two of us that pronounce it like that!
Just buy the harbor freight one! It's better and cheaper