Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 26
  1. 4th April 2009, 02:45 PM #1
    Grumpy John's Avatar
    Grumpy John
    Grumpy John is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,612

    Default Sanding technique

    I don't seem to have any trouble when sanding hardwoods such as Blackwood, redgum, burls even banksia, but when it comes to the softer woods i.e. Cedar, Blue Spruce etc I seem to get a ton of fine scratches.
    I'm currently working on a bowl which I think could be Oregon (confirmation would be appreciated) and it's driving me nuts trying to get rid of sanding marks. I've tried hand held, rotary (powered and unpowered), I throw the paper away the minute it becomes the slightest bit clogged. I blow the piece down with compressed air to get rid of dust, I alternate direction between grits and I've tried sanding sealer between grits. I don't want to oversand because ridges will develop due to the difference in hardness between growth rings. I've bugger all hair as it is and I don't to tear any more out stressing over these damn scratches.
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 4th April 2009 02:45 PM # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. 4th April 2009, 02:52 PM #2
    DJ’s Timber's Avatar
    DJ’s Timber
    DJ’s Timber is offline Hoarder of Timber
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Age
    54
    Posts
    14,203

    Default

    What grit are you starting with, then what order of grits are you going up in?
    Cheers

    DJ

    ADMIN
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 4th April 2009, 02:58 PM #3
    Grumpy John's Avatar
    Grumpy John
    Grumpy John is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,612

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DJ's Timber View Post
    What grit are you starting with, then what order of grits are you going up in?
    100, 120, 180, 240 I haven't gone past 240 yet. I go back 2 grits then start again. I blow down with compressed air between grits and also change lathe direction.

    Note: Going off the watch the footy now, be back at 1/4 time
    Last edited by Grumpy John; 4th April 2009 at 03:00 PM. Reason: note added
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 4th April 2009, 03:03 PM #4
    DJ’s Timber's Avatar
    DJ’s Timber
    DJ’s Timber is offline Hoarder of Timber
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Age
    54
    Posts
    14,203

    Default

    I reckon you need to add another grit in between 120 and 180, it's too big a jump for softwood IMO
    Cheers

    DJ

    ADMIN
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 4th April 2009, 03:41 PM #5
    Grumpy John's Avatar
    Grumpy John
    Grumpy John is offline GOLD MEMBER
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Cranbourne West
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,612

    Default

    O.K. I'll try a 150 grit. thanks DJ.
    To grow old is inevitable.... To grow up is optional

    Confidence, the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

    What could possibly go wrong.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 4th April 2009, 03:45 PM #6
    Cliff Rogers's Avatar
    Cliff Rogers
    Cliff Rogers is offline Timber Hoarder
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    12,881

    Default

    I also have 150 in that gap but I now try to use a very fine shear scrape so I can start at 180 or 240.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 4th April 2009, 08:12 PM #7
    Swino
    Swino is offline Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    46
    Posts
    96

    Default

    I had the same difficulties with a piece of Coachwood earlier in the week. No matter what i tried I could not get rid of very fine scratches that were visible in some lights. I ended up hand sanding from 240 through to 600 with the grain - the scratches are still there but can't be seen now.

    The guys at the wood turning club gave me a few reasons for this occurring:
    - Softer wood
    - Paper getting too hot during sanding
    - Pressing too hard

    I hope this helps.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 4th April 2009, 08:18 PM #8
    bowl-basher's Avatar
    bowl-basher
    bowl-basher is offline Now totally retired...........
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    sydney
    Age
    79
    Posts
    527

    Default

    John
    I found that a good coat of nitro cellulose sealer was a big help on softer woods
    Regards
    Bowl-Basher
    I can turn large lumps of wood into very small bowls
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. 4th April 2009, 08:55 PM #9
    Skew ChiDAMN!!'s Avatar
    Skew ChiDAMN!!
    Skew ChiDAMN!! is online now Dances with splinters
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    63
    Posts
    13,364

    Default

    If there are minor, but obvious scratches that go against both the grain direction & the sanding/rotation direction, I'll stop the lathe and hand-sand along the grain. Usually, when I start the lathe and resume normal sanding with the same grit, that removes the scratch without needing to drop back a grit.

    It's just a case of catching them when they first appear, not a grit or two later.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers View Post
    I also have 150 in that gap but I now try to use a very fine shear scrape so I can start at 180 or 240.
    I don't think I've ever started under 180!

    Sometimes, in case of really, really pernicious tear-out that I can't turn out I'll drop down to a gravel rash combo, but that's only as a "tear-out free chisel," not for finish sanding.
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. 4th April 2009, 10:00 PM #10
    Cliff Rogers's Avatar
    Cliff Rogers
    Cliff Rogers is offline Timber Hoarder
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    12,881

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!! View Post
    ... I don't think I've ever started under 180! ....
    I'll have to send you a piece of raintree.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 4th April 2009, 10:18 PM #11
    Sawdust Maker's Avatar
    Sawdust Maker
    Sawdust Maker is offline Lignum Vexator
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    North of the coathanger, Sydney
    Age
    68
    Posts
    9,417

    Default

    I very rarely start below 60
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,     tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  13. 4th April 2009, 10:37 PM #12
    Cliff Rogers's Avatar
    Cliff Rogers
    Cliff Rogers is offline Timber Hoarder
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    12,881

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker View Post
    I very rarely start below 60
    Only 'cos it is hard to find 36 in velcro backed.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  14. 4th April 2009, 11:01 PM #13
    jefferson
    jefferson is offline Retired
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Kiewa
    Age
    64
    Posts
    1,636

    Default One for Skew

    Skew,

    I'll save you a small piece of redgum fiddle back and will see whether you can start on 180 grit! It tears out with even the sharpest of scrapers.

    Jeff
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  15. 4th April 2009, 11:17 PM #14
    Skew ChiDAMN!!'s Avatar
    Skew ChiDAMN!!
    Skew ChiDAMN!! is online now Dances with splinters
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    63
    Posts
    13,364

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers View Post
    I'll have to send you a piece of raintree.
    Yes please!
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  16. 5th April 2009, 01:40 AM #15
    robutacion
    robutacion is offline Banned
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Adelaide rural - South Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    849

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bowl-basher View Post
    John
    I found that a good coat of nitro cellulose sealer was a big help on softer woods
    Regards
    Bowl-Basher
    Yeah...! I like to use that stuff also for the same reasons.

    I have also found sometimes steel wool solves the problem!

    Cheers
    RBTCO
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Similar Threads

  1. some questions on technique
    By Arron in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 22nd January 2008, 07:55 PM
  2. Spraying technique
    By totoblue in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 13th March 2007, 11:46 AM
  3. Turning technique
    By Terry B in forum WOODTURNING - PEN TURNING
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 4th September 2006, 02:24 AM
  4. Dovetail technique?
    By Groggy in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 7th July 2006, 09:44 AM
  5. Obscure Technique???
    By rrich in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11th April 2006, 03:44 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules