Do the sanding disks last a while?

[fitzhugh]

In my experience, sandpaper wears out really fast. For most pre-finish surface work I use handplanes and card scrapers. I mostly use w/d for sharpening, only use sandpaper occasionally before applying a finish and use w/d between cotes. For those uses it all works OK, but I doubt it would last long at all when moved at speed.

Are the abrasive disks for the metal sanding disks significantly different? Do they last a while? I've seen a couple comments about them lasting and that makes me wonder why the sheet goods aren't made the same way (and priced more - maybe that is why)?

They aren't cheap, but if they do last then they aren't overly expensive either. If they wear out anything like the 150 w/d I spray tacked on my disk as an experiment, well, then they are waaay overpriced.

Thanks
Fitzhugh

[BuckeyeDennis]

Shopsmith sells two types of 12" sanding discs: Aluminum Oxide and Ceramic.

I bought some of the ceramic discs a couple of years ago, and they are amazing. Pricy, but I have yet to wear the first one out. Not only is the abrasive tough, but it seems almost clog-proof as well. I've only needed to use a cleaning stick once or twice.

[dusty]

In my experience, sandpaper wears out really fast. For most pre-finish surface work I use handplanes and card scrapers. I mostly use w/d for sharpening, only use sandpaper occasionally before applying a finish and use w/d between cotes. For those uses it all works OK, but I doubt it would last long at all when moved at speed.

Are the abrasive disks for the metal sanding disks significantly different? Do they last a while? I've seen a couple comments about them lasting and that makes me wonder why the sheet goods aren't made the same way (and priced more - maybe that is why)?

They aren't cheap, but if they do last then they aren't overly expensive either. If they wear out anything like the 150 w/d I spray tacked on my disk as an experiment, well, then they are waaay overpriced.

Thanks
Fitzhugh

I have not cracked let for the new ceramic disks so I can not speak for them. The others last quit a long time but maybe that is a function of what you sand and how you sand. The trick is "do not use them to dimension lumber".

I also use the rubber erasure to clean the disk which helps to extend their life.

I am down to 1 coarse and 1 fine sanding disk however. This happens alot lately. I used to maintain a monthly shopping list of Shopsmith items. I can't afford that anymore. I make do with what I have as long as I can.

[JPG]

The w/d(if I properly understand what that means) is likely closed coat. For wood open coat in needed so it will not get clogged as easily.

If the eraser (crepe rubber) is used often and after each use it will last a long time. It is usually clogging that makes mine unusable(paint removing not recommended!!!).

How you use them(and any sandpaper) will establish longevity. Other than clogging, nothing kills sandpaper like excessive pressure.

[tigris1997]

In my experience, sandpaper wears out really fast. For most pre-finish surface work I use handplanes and card scrapers. I mostly use w/d for sharpening, only use sandpaper occasionally before applying a finish and use w/d between cotes. For those uses it all works OK, but I doubt it would last long at all when moved at speed.

Are the abrasive disks for the metal sanding disks significantly different? Do they last a while? I've seen a couple comments about them lasting and that makes me wonder why the sheet goods aren't made the same way (and priced more - maybe that is why)?

They aren't cheap, but if they do last then they aren't overly expensive either. If they wear out anything like the 150 w/d I spray tacked on my disk as an experiment, well, then they are waaay overpriced.

Thanks
Fitzhugh

They last a long time if you use one of the cleaning sticks after sanding.

[fitzhugh]

I knew I was missing something since sandpaper sells. Do the rubber cleaning sticks work with A/O disks as well, or just ceramic?

Just found a review on FWW website for the AO "G2" disks - smaller, I think 5". Said they last 6 times longer than the previous best, though they cut slower and cost more. When cost and speed considered they're "middle of the pack," he wrote.
I'm still going to get some. I'll start with some A/O since cost matters so much.


Now, I do have three disks to put them on, one aluminum, two steel, but can you really take them off and re-use them? That seems like wishful thinking but I recall seeing somewhere you can.

[JPG]

I knew I was missing something since sandpaper sells. Do the rubber cleaning sticks work with A/O disks as well, or just ceramic?

Just found a review on FWW website for the AO "G2" disks - smaller, I think 5". Said they last 6 times longer than the previous best, though they cut slower and cost more. When cost and speed considered they're "middle of the pack," he wrote.
I'm still going to get some. I'll start with some A/O since cost matters so much.


Now, I do have three disks to put them on, one aluminum, two steel, but can you really take them off and re-use them? That seems like wishful thinking but I recall seeing somewhere you can.

The crepe rubber eraser stick works on all sandpaper that I have tried it on.

If you are asking about 'reusing'/'swapping' the psa disks, maybe is an appropriate answer. Depends upon: condition of disk(both the base and the paper), cleanliness of everything, dexterity of the operator, evenness of applied adhesive . . .

Yes it can be done, but failure is often the result.

Then there is the velcro method. on/off/swap more likely to be successful, but results are IMHO not as good(mushy = uneven sanding).

The 'best' but '$$$$$' method is multiple disks for multiple grits etc.


P.S. The sanding disks are much more 'durable' than typical sandpaper, and the ceramic even more so.

[fitzhugh]

Edit: fixed the craziness oh-so-thoroughly documented by JPG (uh, thanks for that. I guess) :)

Just saw an ad in Fine Woodworker #37 from 1982 for abrasive cleaning sticks for $12.50, or over $30 adjusted for inflation. For once I'll be happy to pay the modern price.

I just typed the above when I saw JPG's reply come in. Timely.

I got three disks with my craigslist Shopsmith so that's a good start. I was avoiding the Velcro for that reason, though I was guessing. Thanks for verifying it.

It seems like grits on machines act like they're finer than the same grits used by hand. Is that true?

I've clearly got to explore dust collection before using these. I've got a 500 so the guard won't work but I'm sure I can rig something up.

[JPG]

Just saw an ad in few #37 from 1982 for abrasive cleaning sticks for $12.50, or over $30 adjusted for inflation. For once I'll be happy to pay the modern price.

I just typed the above when I saw JPG's reply come in. Timely.

I got three disks with my craigslist Shopsmith so that's a good start. I was avoiding the Velcro for that reason, though I was guessing. Thanks for verifying it.

It seems like grits on machines act dinner than grits used by hand. Is that true?

I've clearly got to explore dust collection before using these. I've got a 500 so the guard won't work but I'm sure I can rug something up.

Rug I figgered out.

Dinner????? Grits are fo rebels! Yankees call it hominy.


Few #37 ??????

[fitzhugh]

I need a secretary! My phone has its own ideas of what I should type. Spelling "correction" gets the best of me.

Few => fww = Fine Wood Working.

Rug was supposed to be rig, as you got.

Dinner was to be finer.

Wow, that is a record number of screwups.

I'd edit the original but then folks would think you're the crazy one writing Nijmegen's. Nonsense. That was just amazing. I've no idea what Nijmegen's is, nor why it would preempt nonsense, but it's such an ironic mistake considering the context i had to leave it.