Greaseless compound

N

napaknives

Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Messages
24
At my farmers' market sharpening, I use a Viel belt sander with a dedicated leather belt for beburring. To keep this from stretching, I put it over a cloth belt. However, with my home-made compound, it stretches anyway. Way past the cloth belt. I use Aluminum oxide, Aloe vera gel, and Lexol conditioner as a compound. Mixed by hand. This removes the burr very well, but it's messy and, as I said, stretches the leather. Could I make or buy a greaseless compound that works well without stretching the belt? I like leaving the leather belt on the sander, as it saves lots of time. Thanks in advance.............Dan
 
You can use many materials for improvised binder. I use a blend of paraffin, beeswax and (dancer's) rosin. It tends to work better on paper than leather, but by using less beeswax it would get a bit softer and work well on leather too. A blend of .75 to 1 beeswax to paraffin with no more than 10% rosin, closer to 5% would probably be better. Heat it up outside, rosin releases nasty fumes (just like soldering rosin) when it hits melting point. Once it cools its very stable and just has a slight pine smell if it warms up.

Most commercial compounds use stearine (stearic acid) a form of industrial tallow that can be from animal, vegetable or both.

Most commercial compounds would not make the leather expand. Dico makes good compound in several finishes, Flexcut Gold is another excellent honing compound. Many come in a cream that might make the leather expand slightly but I doubt even that when it comes to Flitz or similar unless you really shellacked it.
 
Thanks, Heavy Handed. Where do I buy dancer's rosin........Dan Also, what percentage of grit do you put into the base?
 
Last edited:
Napaknives... The problem-causer is the Lexol. That will allow the leather to stretch out. Leave it out of the mix and you won't encounter the same problems. If you are using a powdered Aluminum Oxide, just mix it with some melted wax... even old crayons will work... If you are using the liquid AlO3, don't bother mixing it with anything! That can go right onto your leather as is. Just don't over do it with the application; a dipped finger-full would be all I'd use for a belt. You don't have to see a solid color for it to be effective. A greenish 'mist' will do just as well.


Stitchawl
 
napaknives said:
Thanks, Heavy Handed. Where do I buy dancer's rosin........Dan Also, what percentage of grit do you put into the base?
Click to expand...

Any place that sells stuff for ballet, jazz, ballroom dancers etc will have large bags of the stuff. A little goes a long way - added to regular waxes it keeps them from flaking off.

My compound is about 80% abrasive by weight - silicon carbide and diamond. I found aluminum oxide would blend in at a higher percentage, about 90% abrasive by weight. I doubt commercial blends are quite that high.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top