Sanding thin strips between walls

[GaryLaroff]

This was originally placed in a Fein MM tread until I realized it would probably not be seen, so here it is again:

I have four Festool sanders but not the Deltex.  And I have two of the Fein MM.  A major refinishing/sanding job arrived today and I have to sand long 3-4 foot vertical runs that are 2 3/8 inch wide between 1 inch high by 3/4 inch wide dividers.  That is, I need to sand 2 3/8 inch wide strips between walls.  The base wood is veneered plywood and the dividers are solid wood.  The trick is to remove most of the original finish and all the polyurethane junk that seems to be on top of it, preferably not sanding through the veneer.

I hoped the LS-130 with the 90 degree pad would fit in there but it is a bit too wide.  The 88 degree pad just almost fits.  I was thinking I might have to use the Fein MM or trim down the LS-130 pad. Would a Deltex work on such a project?  I have never used one and have little reference to go by.

Gary

 

[Eli]

If you have the LS-130 why not make a custom pad with the pad kit?

 

[nickao]

The LS 130 will be much better than the Deltex for that. Seems custom made for the LS 130's back and forth motion. Cut your pad or buy the custom kit like Eli suggested.

 

[tbellemare]

The Deltex comes with an extended-length sanding pad that sticks out from the front of the sander by about 3".

Tom

 

[nickao]

I just think that Deltex is not going to be nearly as quick as using the LS 130 but that is a neat pad and actually not that bad a price either.

 

[GaryLaroff]

Thanks for the assistance.  I agree the application seems custom made for the LS 130's back and forth motion.

I can't tell from the catalog if the custom-made pad is thick enough so that the LS 130 can stay above the dividers while the sandpaper is doing its thing in the channels.  At least an inch is needed between the sandpaper and the pad base, but I can view this at the local Festool dealer today.  That will also be a good opportunity to make sure I'm not cutting off the dust collection ports.

Gary

 

[gkeas]

Thanks for the assistance.  I agree the application seems custom made for the LS 130's back and forth motion.

I can't tell from the catalog if the custom-made pad is thick enough so that the LS 130 can stay above the dividers while the sandpaper is doing its thing in the channels.  At least an inch is needed between the sandpaper and the pad base, but I can view this at the local Festool dealer today.  That will also be a good opportunity to make sure I'm not cutting off the dust collection ports.

Gary

The block is pretty thick.  I'll go measure it....

OK, the block is 1 9/16" thick w/ no h&l or paper (i.e. brand new).

 

[Dave Ronyak]

For the LS 130 there is an accessory pad  (Flat Sanding Pad Wide Item #491862) that is extra wide and flat; it holds two full sheets of abrasive paper on the front, and you can wrap the abrasive paper around the side edges.  If this will fit into the space you need to sand, it might work.  However, dust collection with this pad is not good.  There is also a Flat Sanding Pad Long Item #491861 that is extra long and thus can hold the abrasive paper out in front of the sander body.  Keep in mind the lineal motion of the LS 130 relative to the direction in which you want to sand and how you can access the face of the work to be sanded.

With the  Deltex 93, it is also possible (but not in the recommended user instructions of Festool) to install the Flat Extended-length Sanding Pad Item #488036 upside down and thus to reach into areas that otherwise cannot be reached due to interference of the motor housing, e.g. the edge of a window or door frame that is adjacent to an inside corner or a room, or the trim around adjacent wall closet or other door openings.  My home has several installations that presented this problem and I used the reversed installation to remove old paint from the wood trim which I refinished with varnish.

Dave R.