Burnishing leather edges by hand can be time-consuming and we wondered if using a Dremel could speed up the process. We did some research and came up with a consistent method on how to burnish leather with a Dremel.
Select a burnishing attachment that has at least one channel that is 1.5 to 2 times wider than the edge of the leather. Connect it to the Dremel. Adjust the Dremel speed to 1500 – 1700 RPMs. Lightly rub the leather in one direction inside the selected channel. Repeat until the edges turn a light brown.
We found the use of a dremel to be an effective way to speed up the leather burnishing process, but there are some slight adjustments to be made depending on the type of finish you wish to apply.
Table of Contents
How to Properly Burnish Leather with a Dremel
Step 1- Trim the Edges and Coarse Sand
- Trim the edges with a sharp blade to get an even edge
- Sand the edges with a 200 grit.
- Periodically stop sanding and inspect edges
- Repeat the sanding and inspecting until the edges are even
This is one of the most important steps. The Dremel will need to make contact with the entire edge of the surface during the burnishing process. Uneven edges disrupt this process and causes a spotted look rather than a smooth and consistent color.
Step 2- Bevel the Edges
The burnisher will not be able to round the edges for you, so you will need to choose an edger that bevels the edge to your liking prior to using a Dremel.
We prefer very small bevels and pretty much stick with edgers the size ranges of “00”, “0”, and “1”. Some people prefer not to round the edges, but we feel that it gives the products a professional look.
Step 3- Burnish Leather Edges With the Dremel
- Use a Dremel attachment that has a channel that 1.5 to 2 times wider than the leather edge
- Adjust the Dremel speed to 1500 – 1700 RPMs
- Lightly wet the edges with distilled water before burnishing
- Start from the top or the bottom and move the leather through the Dremel in one direction
- You want to press lightly to get the fibers in the edge to lay down properly
- You should see a light color approximately the same as the edge rather than a really dark color.
Note: If the channel is too narrow for the leather, the edge will burnish sideways instead of vertically. If you over wet your edges and press down too hard you’ll mash your edges like that. It would help to not press down at all with the Dremel
What Kind of Burnisher Attachments Should Be Used in a Dremel
A Dremel burnisher should be made from the cocobolo wood. Cocobolo is extremely durable and is used for applications that require turning, carving, and finishing. The cocobolo Dremel should also have several canals of varying widths to handle different leather weights.
You can purchase attachments only from many different vendors and stores such as Amazon. Alternatively, through experimentation, Dremel burnisher can be created from different materials to fit your specific needs.
As an idea, you could start with modifying an old wooden burnisher or cabinet knob. Simply drill a hole in the edge, add a post to it that will allow it to be used in the Dremel.
With a little work and creativity, you could become a private seller and offer your services to those that need a specialized burnisher attachment. Pro Edge Burnishers is a great example of this.
Corded vs Battery Operated Dremel For Burnishing
Determining if you should purchase a corded or battery operated dremel really depends on the amount of leather that you plan on burnishing.
If you are burnishing small items or thin pieces of leather for a short period of time, then it may be beneficial to use a battery-operated Dremel. A corded Dremel is a good option if you plan on using your Dremel for long periods of time for such as sanding and burnishing.
I find that there is almost nothing more frustrating than waiting for your Dremel battery to charge while you’re trying to finish up a project. Some crafters use their Dremel with sanding bits along with burnishing bits. It would be very difficult to maintain a high level of efficiency if you tried to do this with a cordless Dremel.
Using a Dremel to Burnish Dyed Edges
Do any dyeing or coloration you want prior to adding a protective finish.
Using a Dremel to Burnish Leather Edges With BeesWax
Adding a wax finish such as beeswax, paraffin, Columbus to the edges is an excellent way to control the moisture level the enters and leaves the leather. The speed of the Dremel provides the necessary heat to melt the wax so that it can be absorbed into the edge fibers.
A waxed edge blocks the absorption of dyes. Attempting to color the edges of a beeswaxed finish will result in a lighter coloring. For maximum color absorption, it’s best to color the edges and then burnish prior to applying a coat of wax and burnishing.
More information on burnishing the edges with beeswax can be found at Burnishing Leather With Beeswax (7 Steps for a Perfect Finish)
Using a Dremel to Burnish Painted Edges
Most of the high-end edge paints aren’t really made to be burnished heavily. A better option would be to sand and use a heated spatula to smooth the edges. Then apply a light hand burnish.
You’ll get the best results with a painted edge using a nice quality canvas and something like paraffin wax to smooth out the surface and give it a polish. Dremel burnishers aren’t really necessary, and definitely aren’t necessary for the painted edges
Using a Dremel to Burnish Thin Leather
Burnishing thin leather is difficult as a handheld process. Thin leather can be burnished with a Dremel with a concave cocobolo bit. While burnishing with a Dremel provides more control, care has to be taken to ensure that the edges don’t overheat from the high revolutions of the Dremel.
How to Prevent Burned Edges When Burnishing with a Dremel
In many cases, burned edges are a result of uneven edges where some areas of the edge are receiving more heat than adjacent edges.
To prevent burned edges with burnishing with a Dremel evenly trim the edges of the leather until they are even. Use light passes as the leather is moved in one direction along the Dremels canal.
It’s very difficult to gauge the speed of all of the different types of Dremels and burnishing bits on the market. Some Dremel attachments get hotter than others, so it is important to test your Dremel speeds and attachments on sample pieces of leather.
How to Prevent Split Edges When Burnishing With a Dremel
Split edges are usually a result of improperly sealing the edges, using too much force during the burnishing process, or a combination of the two.
In order to prevent the edges from splitting when burnishing, use a proper sealant. Allow the edges to dry according to the instructions, then lightly tap the sealed area with a flat head mallet.
Many people prefer to use contact cement due to its high bonding characteristics. I personally hate the strong smell of contact cement. A good water-based sealant that we prefer to use is Aquilium.
It has no smell and it has to be heated or allowed to dry before the edges can be combined. heated before the pieces can be sealed together. This is great for small areas and it is all we use at Leather Craft Garage
A Dremel is an excellent rotary tool for burnishing leather edges, but caution must be taken to prevent damaging the edges.
