Thread: Need to hire Thicknesser etc West suburbs of Melbourne

For any kind of sandpaper, or decent sanding belts, find the size you need from the unit Ian linked above, then head to https://www.sandpaperman.com.au

If you got the sander Ian has linked to, the list of belts for it is on this page: https://www.thesandpaperman.com.au/7...sanding-belts/

Essentially, they're very cheap - less than $4.00 each. Up to you to pick the grit based on the timber you have

Duplicate post removed.

Originally Posted by ian

For a belt sander, I'm thinking something like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/makita-8...ander_p6241707

This is one of the best sanders out there, short of spending a grand on a Festool. Also, get a decent mask; preferably a silicone one with replaceable filters as opposed to the disposable paper masks.

Two people on the thicknesser is a good idea, one infeed and one outfeed. You must also have dust extraction (not should, MUST) or you'll get a poor finish and risk damaging the machine, not to mention the massive mess and potential health issues with that amount of dust

I have a Festool planer that's not getting used if you'd like to borrow it.

DIY isn't looking so cheap now, huh?

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

DIY isn't looking so cheap now, huh?

DIY has two aspects to it.

The first is like an aspirin tablet - you can buy the second one they make for one cent. The first one, however, cost a couple hundred million... analogy - you buy the tools and equipment at the outset, and the first items you make you spend more on to make. Subsequent ones become cheaper.

The second is something you can't attribute money to - and that is the self-satisfaction and pride of looking at something, and saying "I made that", as opposed to "I bought that".

Originally Posted by Anna N

I am female... but i am a quick learner and can be quite handy

Hi Anna
your gender is not really relevant.

we all start with little or no knowledge, make mistakes and learn in the process.

I suggest you take ElanJacobs up on his offer

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I have a Festool planer that's not getting used if you'd like to borrow it.

What sort of work space / work bench do you have?

I just got an email this morning from Sydney Tools - they have locations in Melbourne too I believe - or they ship for free. Seeing this email immediately made me think of this discussion.

I am sure this is a different model of sander from Makita, and I am not familiar with it, but it seemed similar to the one Ian linked, and is rated at a higher power: https://sydneytools.com.au/makita-m9...es-belt-sander

It's also considerably cheaper (which makes me pause and wonder if it is as good) - perhaps someone here can offer insight as to whether this is a viable choice too?

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

I just got an email this morning from Sydney Tools - they have locations in Melbourne too I believe - or they ship for free.

Their Melbourne store is on Whitehorse Road in Blackburn (near the pub) in the Eastern suburbs.

Anna,

There should be a Men’s Shed or two around where you live. They may well have a thicknesser. Perhaps you could drop into one of these with a few sample pices and ask if you could put them through. At least then you’d know if a thicknesser is the right solution for your problem. If successful you may be able to negotiate around the rest or get some advice as to where you could get this done locally.

Brian

Good advice here Anna. And Ian's right that your gender isn't relevant (though depending upon on when you grew up and in what family, it can mean that you start off with less basic knowledge than a boy might), it's not relevant on this forum. I haven't been doing this very long and the forum has helped me a lot.

So definitely don't hesitate to keep asking questions as you go.

Take up Elanjacobs generous offer and Midnight Man's advice - buying sanding belts at the big shops adds up quickly.

Also, practice sanding on something else before you start on the pieces you will use. I think it's worth getting something to use as a straight edge too. A piece of aluminium that's a decent length. (There have been suggestions as to where in other threads, but I don't remember - hopefully someone will chime in with ideas.)

I had a lot of trouble keeping things flat when I started power sanding, checking regularly with something you know is straight means you can catch any dips or whatever early.

These pieces should also be run over a jointer to make sure they're square.

Whatever ends up being the appropriate tool, I would consider buying it used and reselling it after the job is done.
It will probably end up being free or close to free after all is said end done, as long as you don't overpay when you buy it.
You still have time, maybe take a week to look through gumtree/ebay/forum classifieds, these things pop up often.

Belt sanding 50sqm is a lot of work, you might need to but I would persevere with the thicknesser option. Maybe find someone who owns one and try a couple of lengths, see if they go through easily.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

I am sure this is a different model of sander from Makita, and I am not familiar with it, but it seemed similar to the one Ian linked, and is rated at a higher power: https://sydneytools.com.au/makita-m9...es-belt-sander

It's also considerably cheaper (which makes me pause and wonder if it is as good) - perhaps someone here can offer insight as to whether this is a viable choice too?

I think that is the consumer version, as opposed to the one Ian linked, which is the pro version (made in Japan)

The version I linked to takes 75 mm or 100 mm wide belts and has a graphite plate on the platen which reduces heat build up and hence improves belt life.
Not sure if the less expensive versions have a graphite platen

I think this is excellent. Paying a grand for such a mighty haul is outstanding value. Wish we had a mill down here (Canberra).

Can you include us in any plans or pictures?

My thoughts, depending on your own sense of style and Wabi-Sabi, that only the sat-upon surfaces need finishing... OR you could leave the whole thing completely unfinished, unsanded and left to nature (I make bench seats from sleepers and they are so popular people steal them).

Keen to follow. Please do keep us up to date.