How to Make DIY Leather Burnishing Machine

I made a leather burnishing machine using a ryobi bench grinder and a wooden burnisher attachment from aliexpress. I modified the attachment using a drill press at a local tool library woodshop. Schools, woodshops, tool libraries, or friends might have a drill press if you don't have one. It's important to use a drill press and not a hand drill to make sure the cut is straight so the burnisher doesnt wobble.

I made a sanding attachment with a piece of plywood, a drill press, and a table skill. The project cost $110CAD in total and now I can burnish a leather edge in seconds! :)

When I started this project I was worried that a bench grinder would burn the edges because it's not meant for leather. Most bench grinders run at 3,500BPM, the Tandy Pro burnishing machine runs from 0-6,000BPM. The grinder I made doesn't have variable speeds but it works great.

Supplies

• Bench grinder
• Burnisher attachment
• Sanding attachement

tools:

• Drill press (go to a community tool workshop if you dont own one or know someone who does)

Step 1: Source Bench Grinder and Attachments

Find one used or buy them online, Tandy leather has wooden burnishing attachments and aliexpress has them as well.

Step 2: Measuring and Drilling Holes

This step depends on what burnisher you're using and what bench press.

Step 3: Make a Sanding Attachment

Step 4: Assemble

I had to modify the piece to create a hole so the nut could screw back on, use a socket wrench to secure it in place.

Step 5: Burnish!