Cleaning your disk sander - new and free method

db5 · Post by **db5** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:40 pm

Today I discovered a new and free way to clean my disk sander. Well, not free because I had to buy the wine and drink it (which I would have done anyway). I used the synthetic cork to clean my disk sander. It worked quite well. Collect those corks. If you don't drink wine when you are in a restaurant ask the waiters to bring you some. They will be happy to do so (tip an extra dollar).

It's good for the environment (no corks in the landfill), good for you (costs nothing) and bad for the economy. It will put thousands of people who manufacture, market, sell and ship those cleaning bricks out of business. Well, maybe not.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:39 am

Interesting! Since the only restaurants we frequent just serve beer (and beer caps won't work) I see an wine party in our future.

algale · Post by **algale** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:07 am

How corked (as the Brits would say) were you when you came up with this idea?:D

On a more serious note, did you use anything other than your fingers to hold the cork? A cork is pretty small to begin with and I know that to give my disc a thorough cleaning leaves a noticeable bite on my full size abrasive cleaning stick (Harbor Freight brand). Still, an interesting idea.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 1:02 pm

Wonder how 'real' corks would work?:D

P.S. A while back it was suggested to use old crepe soled shoes.

Dusty said he had a lifetime supply!;)

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showpos ... stcount=12

garys · Post by **garys** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 6:24 pm

I can't drink wine because it gives me massive headaches, but I do love my simple cleaning stick to clean up the disk and also the belt sander. Cheaper than wine and no headaches.

http://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Abrasive- ... B001DT5JHG

eagleta2 · Post by **eagleta2** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:01 pm

I dunno about you guys but my cleaning stick seems to last forever!
I'm still grinding on the same stick I bought when I got my as in 1993!

Geez, I guess I should actually use it more...either that or join the "frugal" woodworker's site.

Maybe both

Geo

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:12 am

I have a shirt tail relative not sure how we are related he's some kind of cousins uncles nieces husband on the wife's side where we go every Easter.
He is into carving birds he does SUPERB work he's also a big cheapskate and complained about the price of the price of the cleaning sticks and proudly
showed me the old shoe sole he used on his little rotary carving bits, it worked well it was a light color rubber lookin' thingey.

bffulgham · Post by **bffulgham** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:19 am

db5 wrote:Today I discovered a new and free way to clean my disk sander. Well, not free because I had to buy the wine and drink it (which I would have done anyway). I used the synthetic cork to clean my disk sander. It worked quite well. Collect those corks. If you don't drink wine when you are in a restaurant ask the waiters to bring you some. They will be happy to do so (tip an extra dollar).

It's good for the environment (no corks in the landfill), good for you (costs nothing) and bad for the economy. It will put thousands of people who manufacture, market, sell and ship those cleaning bricks out of business. Well, maybe not.

I had seen this tip somewhere and gave it a try on my WorkSharp just for jollies. Yeah, it worked just fine....a little more tedious than using the 'normal' cleaning stick, but on the fine grits on my WS, no problem.

I don't think I'll be using the corks on the 12" disk. If there should be a 'grab', a lot of hide could be lost in a hurry if finger(s) got between the disk and the table

wrmnfzy · Post by **wrmnfzy** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:42 pm

Goodwill stores for crepe sole shoes, just a thought.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:00 pm

bffulgham wrote:I had seen this tip somewhere and gave it a try on my WorkSharp just for jollies. Yeah, it worked just fine....a little more tedious than using the 'normal' cleaning stick, but on the fine grits on my WS, no problem.

I don't think I'll be using the corks on the 12" disk. If there should be a 'grab', a lot of hide could be lost in a hurry if finger(s) got between the disk and the table

Seems to me a good reason for the table to not be where that could occur.