Getting Stroppy!

[Sparky415]

Ooops That leather isn't leather 

I was trying to strop a knife when the top surface came away from the bottom layer (it might be a very thin layer of leather) 
Its OK I thought to myself as I still have that big pink belt (strangely enough no one else wanted it)

I start cutting it up and....  Bugger that's made the same way (glad I didn't send it to Zed now!)

Luckily my favourite charity shop had another belt Its being glued on as we speak so there's  another WIP (work in progress) in my garage 

[ryan1835]

it must be that pleather stuff that leatherman use

[Sparky415]

it must be that pleather stuff that leatherman use

  It annoyed me as I had wasted my time making it

live and learn I guess 

Hope the new one will last a bit longer, lol 

[Sparky415]

Here's mark 2





 

[Neil]

Fingers crossed this time



but not whilst in use

[Sparky415]

So far so good 

[prime77]

I made some new strops tonight and transformed my Insingo into a razor.











Hair doesn't stand a chance.

[Sparky415]

They look great! 
What do you use on the leather as a polishing compound?

[Benner]

Please come over here and put an edge like that on my Sebbie 

[John]

Please come over here and put an edge like that on my Sebbie 

We could group send some over to him but I doubt we'd get them back through customs   

[Sparky415]

Group buy to ship him over here? 

[prime77]

They look great! 
What do you use on the leather as a polishing compound?

I have been using white and green compound. But these were made for using DMT diamond paste.

[Sparky415]

The 'micron' on the side makes sense to me now   

I've been using white compound on mine if anyone's interested

[Sparky415]

I know my garage needs a tidy as I have not seen my strop for ages 

In my favorite charity shop I picked up a couple of leather belts so started making a new strop (thought I could try a different sharpening compound  maybe Autosol)
I put it to one side to fully dry

Then I Thought to myself "if a strop makes knives sharp a powered strop will do it better and quicker!" 
Mmmm took one of the cutouts from my sledge making project (on right)
Put a nut and bolt through the center

Glued on a bit of belt and wraped with white electrical tape to dry (on left)



And here it is in action 



My Opinal is pretty sharp now
So It does work  but I'm not sure about the outcome yet as its hard to be precise with the polishing angle 

I think I need to play more 

[AimlessWanderer]

I like it ! 

[Sparky415]

Thanks,
As I said it works but I think it would be better if it was a larger diameter and had a tool rest 
I don't think I would use it on a valued knife

[Zag]

Where can I find the polishing / stropping paste in the UK?

[Sparky415]

I used this on my polishing wheel and new strop wheel
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/97236/Abrasives/Polishing/Metal-Polishing/Cutting-Paste-Bar-800g-Grey

Axminster have some good stuff (type in compound for more ideas)
http://www.axminster.co.uk/flexcut-flexcut-(gold)-polishing-compound-prod22340/

You can also use things like 'T-cut' and autosol (used for cars) 
and some people have used Toothpaste

[Zag]

 
Many thanks Sparky!

Order placed   

[Sparky415]

  Ooh they do them in real life as-well.. that's sad I thought I had invented something new 

http://www.axminster.co.uk/flexcut-flexcut-powerstrop-leatherwheels-prod32069/

The compound seems to go in to the strop better when it is warm
I use a hot air gun or a hair drier would work

[Sparky415]

MK 2


Ooops the first one came to pieces  so thought the second one will be a bit wider
Here it is all glued together and the surface roughed up with a wire brush



Edges flattened off and sanded



coated with compound and ready to work (see how long this one holds together)

[Neil]

MK 2


Ooops the first one came to pieces  so thought the second one will be a bit wider
Here it is all glued together and the surface roughed up with a wire brush
....

Hopefully not at speed! 

Looking very fancy  

[Sparky415]

Yes it did, centrifugal force overcame glue 

When I use the Spork polisher I have to be aware of the noise it makes, if there's a change in pitch I step to one side and unplug the bugger quick reach for the off button 

I really need to wire up a proper stop/start button 

[Neil]

I've got one if you need it

[Sparky415]

There's one hiding in my garage somewhere thanks Neil    (a proper DOL starter  )

[NutSAK]

(Image removed from quote.)

I'm wondering if a larger diameter wheel would work better.  The larger the diameter of the wheel, the more surface area is contacting the blade bevel.  The surface of the larger diameter wheel would be traveling at a slower rate also.

[Sparky415]

You are right about the size of them, they would be better if they were bigger but I had those plywood discs laying around so I thought I will start off small 
(bigger discs at the same RPM would make the strop travel faster I think  maybe  )

[Neil]

You're right Tony

[Sparky415]

That's good I was sitting here thinking 

If the diameter is 3” x 3.14....ummm but if the diameter is 6” and  ummmm if I have a saucer and a plate and I hold my finger..... ummm RPM....ummmm a plate x 3.14....ummmm 

Something needs to be squared maybe the saucer 

Its a very long time since school   

[NutSAK]

(bigger discs at the same RPM would make the strop travel faster I think  maybe  )

Yeah.  Brain fart.