DIY Leather Burnishing Wheel - Motor

Been working on refining the wheel part of my burnisher for a year or so and have it pretty good.

Just a 1/4hp motor will do the job

I made this collet for the end of the motor but you might be able to buy a collet too

The shortest length from the motor to the wheel is best

I used Bass wood but pine is OK, I use bee's wax and have nice results

The trick is that you have to have access to a wood or metal lathe, this is 2" in dia. and about 2" long

Over time I modified the grooves to suit my needs and I feel free to change them at will because there is very little cost involved.

Making:
The most important thing is to mount the wood to the shaft securely and then use that shaft to turn the wood on the lathe.
This is the best (only) way to make sure that the turned wood is super concentric with the shaft it is mounted to. If you turn the wood 1st then center drill it you will still see wobbling. 
I really don't like using wheels that are not concentric because it bounces the work around and it also only uses one area of the wheel.
The most important thing is to mount the wood to the shaft securely

I can provide drawings if needed.

10.10.17
I have refined the drum process:

1. I take a piece of Bass wood and drill a 3/4 hole 
2. Slide in place a 3/4 x 1/8" wall tube
3. Drill and tap a 1/4-20 set screw
4. Mount this to the lathe

This reduces the number of parts and the distance from the motor

See bench-top set-up