Sanding discs - when to toss

[Michael1960]

Today I was cleaning up my workshop after a marathon sanding job.  There were 150mm and 90mm discs lying around.  Some were clearly worn out, clogged up and it's easy to decide to bin them.  Others looked OK but a bit doubtful.  It seems inefficient to use worn out discs and wasteful to toss out every disc once it's been used.  Does any one else go through this process?  How do you decide what gets binned and what's put away for future use...

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have a pile of used disks on my sanding table & piles of them in a cabinet. I save them for hand sanding. It has been years since I have purchased sheet sandpaper.

I also use used disks on jobs where I know the disk will be ruined quickly.

 

[ear3]

Yeah, it actually increases my efficiency to have the HSK sanding blocks, which get outfitted with the paper that has started to lose its bite:
http://festoolusa.com/search/?q=hsk

I also use worn paper for sanding down items turned on the lathe.  The one thing to be careful of, though, is that the holes are not torn, since this will tend to create marks on a workpiece spinning at such a high rotation on the lathe.

 

[deepcreek]

I have found that when Festool sandpaper gets clogged, a quick touch of a gum rubber stick while the sander is spinning will clean it right  up and really extend is service life.

 

[benwheeler]

I have found that when Festool sandpaper gets clogged, a quick touch of a gum rubber stick while the sander is spinning will clean it right  up and really extend is service life.

I'm intrigued.. What's this "gum rubber stick" of which you speak?

 

[rvieceli]

[member=40271]benwheeler[/member]

Here you go:
http://www.rockler.com/abrasive-cleaning-stick
http://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html

 

[deepcreek]

[member=40271]benwheeler[/member]

Here you go:
http://www.rockler.com/abrasive-cleaning-stick
http://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html

That's it.

 

[Bohdan]

Yeah, it actually increases my efficiency to have the HSK sanding blocks, which get outfitted with the paper that has started to lose its bite:
http://festoolusa.com/search/?q=hsk

I also use worn paper for sanding down items turned on the lathe.  The one thing to be careful of, though, is that the holes are not torn, since this will tend to create marks on a workpiece spinning at such a high rotation on the lathe.

The HSK sanding blocks are one of the handiest accessories for recycling used discs - really convenient.

 

[jbasen]

[member=40271]benwheeler[/member]

Here you go:
http://www.rockler.com/abrasive-cleaning-stick
http://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html

+1.  Works great

I throw the stick in a vice and then just run the sander over it when the disc gets clogged up. 

I've been intrigued by this orbital sanding disc cleaner but haven't given it a try myself though the reviews seem to be good
http://www.rockler.com/sander-sitter-orbital-landing-pad

 

[Peter_C]

Grab a new sheet of paper and the old one in question. Run your fingers across each one. It won't take long to figure out if it is still usable or not. More noticeable on finer grits.

 

[travisj]

I bought one of those sander sitters years ago.  The main purpose was to have a place to let the sander wind down instead of holding it.  While it has the rubber sheet in the bottom, it never really cleaned the paper. 

Mine has been in a cabinet for the past 5 years or so.  I didn't care to have a dedicated space for it to occupy and it always seemed in the way.  Plus I am rarely in that big of a hurry where I can't wait for the sander to stop spinning.

+1 on the cleaning sticks.  They work great on sanding belts and large discs.  I know the performance would be the same, but I haven't used them on handheld sanders.

 

[jbasen]

Thanks for the feedback on the Sanding Sitter [member=53578]travisj[/member]

 

[Michael1960]

Thanks for all the responses.
Some really good ideas - I've already implemented a few today. 
Edward you summed up the issue with your comment '...paper that has started to lose its bite'.  Determining this point is when I start mucking around and being indecisive.  I keep reminding myself it's only sandpaper... But then my frugal side kicks in and says 'that's $50 of sandpaper your tossing out! 
The ideas I have received should really help out. 

 

[Stephen B]

[attachimg=1]

Re- abrasive restoration sticks, try these Norton Brand if in Australia. Might be still available at Home Hardware where I purchased mine several years ago; yes they last. I have also traced them to theSandPaperMan online site at -
https://www.thesandpaperman.com.au/norton-abrasive-restorer.html

Just remember they remove the crud, but if the abrasive itself is warn, then reach for a new disc/sheet.

[size=8pt][member=40271]benwheeler[/member] [member=14084]Michael1960[/member]  [member=36526]Bohdan[/member]

 

[benwheeler]

Thanks for the responses about the gum / restorer sticks. I look forward to trying one out next time I'm too enthusiastic and start sanding before a coat of finish is properly dry :-/

 

[Michael1960]

Thanks Untidy for taking the time to pass on The SandPaperMans details.  Looks to be a good supplier.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=8pt]

Thanks for the responses about the gum / restorer sticks. I look forward to trying one out next time I'm too enthusiastic [size=12pt] and start sanding before a coat of finish is properly dry :-/.

[size=14pt] [eek] Mmmmmmm they are good, but probably not that good! Best to wait for the varnish to fully dry next time!  [big grin] [smile]

[size=8pt][member=40271]benwheeler[/member]

 

[mkasdin]

I bought one for a Ridgid belt sander. It worked well but the belt sander and paper weren't great. They look like giant gum erasers. If it's what I'm thinking I bought it from Amazon.

 

[Stephen B]

I have been renovating our collection of wooden cutting and cheese broads. Starting with Granat 40/60Grit to remove the crud a Norton Abrasive Restorer has been very handy in keeping the lower grits in the action.

Here is a short video I shot this morning AEST using the Restorer and edited just now.


[size=10pt]______________________________________

The ROTEX has been used from 40/60 through 80 to 120 Grit, then ETS150/3 to 320 grit when the boards have been oiled with 1 coat of OrganOil Hard Burnishing Oil using ROTEX and a green Vilies. Not sure OrganOil is available in NA. Great oil, and food safe 1 week after application.

[attachimg=1]