I got a gift cert. to the Woodturners Catalogue. so I'm deciding on what method of sanding I want to invest in. To this day, I use 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper, tear it up, and use my fingers. Needless to say, I've experienced the burn of a spinning piece of wood, and I've tolerated many nicks to my hands
:. . .THere are many options, . . passive, hook and loop, articulated, it goes on and on. . Does anyone have a suggestion? What do you all like to use? thanks
Diane......One of the handiest additions to your sanding routine is a close quarters drill. I have several of them from Sioux and Milwaukee, and I've found the angled head to be of great benefit and applicable to lathe turning. 1300rpm is a good speed for sanding at around 300-400 lathe rpm. There are some of these that are rated at 2500rpm, but I'd stick with the slower variable speed, reversable, close quarter models.
Here's a used one on ebay that looks like a reasonable price at $40+10 shipping.......but, if money were no object, get a new one.......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DRILL-3-8-C...1-/320821291896?pt=Drills&hash=item4ab2706b78
I suggest you try the Merit "power lock" discs first. The 2" variety is the most handy to use, and what I use the most, but have some of the 3" that I use occasionally. The Powerlock discs are made for industrial use, and last a long time. The little plastic Powerlock attachment system is excellent, and discs can be attached and removed a hundred times, if necessary. This is better than one time use PSA, and hook/loop that wears out after a dozen uses.
It's important to understand that the small pads can be used for larger discs, and used in this way, tighter curves can be managed very well. If trying to go too tight a curve, they will dig in, but once you learn how to do it, there really is very little that can't be done with them. For specific applications, I can resize any of the rubber backing pads to any size I want.......just spin the circumference on a coarse grinding wheel......I use a 6" grinder with 36gt wheel for this. The Powerlock abrasive discs can be resized in the same manner.
Both the standard power lock discs, and the padded "flex edge" discs are good to have in inventory, as you'll have specific applications for both.
I suspect some turners get frustrated with the Powerlock discs at first, and don't hang in there long enough to familiarize themselves with how to best use them.......and, move on to more expensive and less durable options. I started using the Merit Powerlock discs back in the 1980's, and at that time the options were very limited........so, I had to learn how to use what I had!
Now that I'm comfortable in knowing the Powerlock discs will do anything I want them to do, and they are so long lasting when maintained properly with frequent air and rubber disc cleaners.......I find no reason to change horses. I'll note that I still use some of the other options like hook and loop and PSA.......but, but the Powerlock is my bedrock staple.
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Abrasives___Power_Lock?Args=
I don't know if you've tried the Finkat sheet sandpaper yet, but I've found it to be a better sandpaper than the Norton 3X paper that I had been using.......although, the Norton 3X paper is a very good paper.
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...rasives___Finkat_Sanding_Paper___finkat?Args=
You'll never get past the need to use your fingers and hand sand on spinning wood......so, resolve yourself to that. But, you can give up hand sanding up until the very highest of grits......yay! :cool2:
ooc
