ON

Otoe

11/01/2008 11:25 PM

How Do You Know When to Replace Sandpaper?

How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?

Otoe


This topic has 26 replies

JG

"Jeff Gorman"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

14/01/2008 8:26 AM


"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote

> On some sanders (esp. belt sanders) you can clean the sandpaper with a
> rubber stick, rather than needing to rerplace it.

Really just hitching onto Andy's posting, I wonder what actually happens
when a coated abrasive paper apparently wears?

Some grits get detached.

The spaces between grits are filled with dust, thereby preventing the grits
from working.

What is puzzling me is that I was taught that when grinding metals,
abrasives work because the grits fracture in use, thereby presenting new
sharp edges to the material. If they don't fracture the wheel doesn't cut
and the job overheats.

Now wood generally seems relatively soft stuff - is it usually hard enough
to fracture the abrasive grains? Perhaps mostly not, hence is most wear due
to the two points above?

Jeff

--
Jeff Gorman, West Yorkshire, UK
email : Username is amgron
ISP is clara.co.uk
www.amgron.clara.net

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 8:35 AM

RE: Subject

If you have to ask, "practices extreme frugality" is a phrase that comes to
mind to describe you.

Lew


Di

"Dave in Houston"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

11/01/2008 11:30 PM


"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:jmXhj.13807$6%[email protected]...

> After about 6-10 minutes tops.


Would that be Norton 3X, Leon?

--
Dave in Houston

CC

"Curran Copeland"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 9:28 AM


"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe
When it stops sanding! I tend to be cheap so I leave mine on until it no
longer cuts the way I want it to or the "sand" is rubbed off the paper which
ever comes first.

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

13/01/2008 3:09 AM

On 12 Jan, 04:25, Otoe <[email protected]> wrote:
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?

About twice as often as ypou probably do already.

Top quality sandpaper, replaced when necessary, is a very cost-
effective expense when sanding. Costs a bit more, works a great deal
better.


On some sanders (esp. belt sanders) you can clean the sandpaper with a
rubber stick, rather than needing to rerplace it. This is less
necessary on ROs though.

G@

"Garage_Woodworks" <.@.>

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

11/01/2008 11:51 PM



"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

Only AFTER you turn it off. I made that mistake once. -ouch.

--
www.garagewoodworks.com

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 6:17 PM

"Kate" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

*snip*

>
> I do the same thing.
> Use it until it just stops working.
> Sometimes it will wear down so that it will work nearly as if it were
> the next smaller grit.
>
> Like Twayne, I never scrimp on the final sanding grit though.
>
> Kate
>

I tend to use sand paper for a long time... So I guess that's why I never
need to go 120 - 180 - 220, the paper just wears down gradually for me!
(Well, I also use primarily pine...)

Puckdropper
--
Marching to the beat of a different drum is great... unless you're in
marching band.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

md

mac davis

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 8:19 PM

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:25:30 -0500, Otoe <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:29:01 -0600, "Leon"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>>>
>>> Otoe
>>
>> After about 6-10 minutes tops.
>>
>
>Right now, the sandpaper is changed only when the hook and loop
>doesn't hold anymore. But seems to me that the paper wore out
>long before that. I haven't gotten to the point where is catches
>fire yet which is a sure hint.
>
>Otoe

When it gets that hot, either change it or turn it over, you're probably not
using the side with sand on it..

(No, I'm not really feeding a troll)


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 3:36 PM


"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:29:01 -0600, "Leon"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>>>
>>> Otoe
>>
>> After about 6-10 minutes tops.
>>
>
> Right now, the sandpaper is changed only when the hook and loop
> doesn't hold anymore. But seems to me that the paper wore out
> long before that. I haven't gotten to the point where is catches
> fire yet which is a sure hint.
>
> Otoe

Sand paper will generally work for pretty long periods however after a point
it looses its aggressiveness and begins to take much longer to accomplish
the same thing. IMHO paper is cheap compared to my time. The more often I
change it, the faster the job gets done.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 7:53 AM


"Otoe" wrote
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?

42 ... and 1/2


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 12/14/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)

Ji

"Joe"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

13/01/2008 2:06 PM


"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

This thread reminds me of a conversation/disagreement that my Dad and I
always have. He 'downgrades' sandpaper as it gets more use. 120 becomes
180, 180 becomes 220, etc.... My point is that you shouldn't do that,
especially when final sanding (addressed elsewhere in this thread) because
dull big rocks don't cut/sand the same as sharp small rocks. I *always* use
a fresh sheet (disk) when final sanding, and change it often (about 10
minutes of use). My thought on lower grits is if you're spending a *lot* of
time final sanding, you're probably not changing the paper on the lower
grits often enough.

ymwv (probably)

Joe

JH

John Horner

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 7:26 PM

Otoe wrote:
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

When the sanding action becomes too slow for me to put up with, which
rarely takes more than 5-10 minutes of use.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 4:23 PM


"Dave in Houston" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:jmXhj.13807$6%[email protected]...
>
>> After about 6-10 minutes tops.
>
>
> Would that be Norton 3X, Leon?


No, he did mention any particular sand paper. I have yet to use the 3X
stuff, I'd like to find it in PSA.

Ks

"Kate"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 10:55 AM


"Twayne" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:nX5ij.1947$Ue3.1281@trnddc07...
Otoe <[email protected]> wrote:
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

Depends. And everyone has their own ways to decide when to change it.
Some will only last ten minutes or so, some longer, some less. Brand,
material, backing all make a difference. Best to use a search engine
and do some research.
If it's in good shape I'll often keep a few used sheets or each
grit. A used 100 for instance can sub for a 150 in a pinch, a 60 for an
80, and so on. Never skimp on the final sanding grit though.

---

I do the same thing.
Use it until it just stops working.
Sometimes it will wear down so that it will work nearly as if it were the
next smaller grit.

Like Twayne, I never scrimp on the final sanding grit though.

Kate


ON

Otoe

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

14/01/2008 11:43 AM

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:08:08 -0600, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Jeff Gorman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote
>>
>>> On some sanders (esp. belt sanders) you can clean the sandpaper with a
>>> rubber stick, rather than needing to rerplace it.
>>
>> Really just hitching onto Andy's posting, I wonder what actually happens
>> when a coated abrasive paper apparently wears?
>>
>> Some grits get detached.
>>
>> The spaces between grits are filled with dust, thereby preventing the
>> grits from working.
>>
>> What is puzzling me is that I was taught that when grinding metals,
>> abrasives work because the grits fracture in use, thereby presenting new
>> sharp edges to the material. If they don't fracture the wheel doesn't cut
>> and the job overheats.
>>
>> Now wood generally seems relatively soft stuff - is it usually hard enough
>> to fracture the abrasive grains? Perhaps mostly not, hence is most wear
>> due to the two points above?
>
>With the old sand papers, "flint, IIRC " the fracturing was especially true.
>with Aluminum Oxide particles, the typical wood sand paper, the particles
>simply dull and become less effective.
>

Thank you for the post. I learned something from it. You too Andy!

Otoe

RW

"Roger Woehl"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 11:17 AM

Is this a trick question?
Roger
"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

14/01/2008 8:08 AM


"Jeff Gorman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote
>
>> On some sanders (esp. belt sanders) you can clean the sandpaper with a
>> rubber stick, rather than needing to rerplace it.
>
> Really just hitching onto Andy's posting, I wonder what actually happens
> when a coated abrasive paper apparently wears?
>
> Some grits get detached.
>
> The spaces between grits are filled with dust, thereby preventing the
> grits from working.
>
> What is puzzling me is that I was taught that when grinding metals,
> abrasives work because the grits fracture in use, thereby presenting new
> sharp edges to the material. If they don't fracture the wheel doesn't cut
> and the job overheats.
>
> Now wood generally seems relatively soft stuff - is it usually hard enough
> to fracture the abrasive grains? Perhaps mostly not, hence is most wear
> due to the two points above?

With the old sand papers, "flint, IIRC " the fracturing was especially true.
with Aluminum Oxide particles, the typical wood sand paper, the particles
simply dull and become less effective.

ON

Otoe

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 12:29 PM

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:31:15 GMT, "Twayne"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Depends. And everyone has their own ways to decide when to change it.
>Some will only last ten minutes or so, some longer, some less. Brand,
>material, backing all make a difference. Best to use a search engine
>and do some research.
> If it's in good shape I'll often keep a few used sheets or each
>grit. A used 100 for instance can sub for a 150 in a pinch, a 60 for an
>80, and so on. Never skimp on the final sanding grit though.
>

Thanks for the advice on the final sanding.

Tn

"Twayne"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 10:25 PM

Lew Hodgett <[email protected]> wrote:
> RE: Subject
>
> If you have to ask, "practices extreme frugality" is a phrase that
> comes to mind to describe you.
>
> Lew

I don't recall anyone asking for a description; if you go OT, then say
so in order that others may more easily ignore you until you at least
recall your own origins.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

11/01/2008 10:29 PM


"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

After about 6-10 minutes tops.

EP

"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

13/01/2008 3:33 AM


"Twayne" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:j7bij.198$UX2.194@trnddc08...
> Lew Hodgett <[email protected]> wrote:
>> RE: Subject
>>
>> If you have to ask, "practices extreme frugality" is a phrase that
>> comes to mind to describe you.
>>
>> Lew
>
> I don't recall anyone asking for a description; if you go OT, then say so
> in order that others may more easily ignore you until you at least recall
> your own origins.

Tight shorts?

ON

Otoe

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 12:22 PM

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:51:34 -0500, "Garage_Woodworks" <.@.> wrote:

>
>
>"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>>
>> Otoe
>
>Only AFTER you turn it off. I made that mistake once. -ouch.

The operative word is "when?" Not how, I figured that out after
using up all the bandaids.

Otoe

Tn

"Twayne"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 4:31 PM

Otoe <[email protected]> wrote:
> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>
> Otoe

Depends. And everyone has their own ways to decide when to change it.
Some will only last ten minutes or so, some longer, some less. Brand,
material, backing all make a difference. Best to use a search engine
and do some research.
If it's in good shape I'll often keep a few used sheets or each
grit. A used 100 for instance can sub for a 150 in a pinch, a 60 for an
80, and so on. Never skimp on the final sanding grit though.

Ji

"Joe"

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

13/01/2008 2:00 PM


"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Twayne" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:j7bij.198$UX2.194@trnddc08...
>> Lew Hodgett <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> RE: Subject
>>>
>>> If you have to ask, "practices extreme frugality" is a phrase that
>>> comes to mind to describe you.
>>>
>>> Lew
>>
>> I don't recall anyone asking for a description; if you go OT, then say
>> so in order that others may more easily ignore you until you at least
>> recall your own origins.
>
> Tight shorts?
>
lmfao! Just what I was thinking.


md

mac davis

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 8:21 PM

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:17:41 -0800, "Roger Woehl" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Is this a trick question?
>Roger

Was that a trick answer?
Damn, I hate tests...


>"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>>
>> Otoe
>


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

ON

Otoe

in reply to Otoe on 11/01/2008 11:25 PM

12/01/2008 12:25 PM

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:29:01 -0600, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Otoe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> How do you know when to replace the sandpaper on an orbital sander?
>>
>> Otoe
>
> After about 6-10 minutes tops.
>

Right now, the sandpaper is changed only when the hook and loop
doesn't hold anymore. But seems to me that the paper wore out
long before that. I haven't gotten to the point where is catches
fire yet which is a sure hint.

Otoe


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