which sander for removing old finish from furniture

[Justin Michael]

My wife recently purchased some mid-century pieces that that she wants me to refinish for use in our living room.  I have the RO150 and used it on the tops to great effect, but had to be very careful not to sand through the veneers (actually did a little on the back edge but don't tell her!). 

As you can see in the picture, there are a number of rounded surfaces that the RO150 is just too aggressive for.

Question:  I'm willing to buy another sander but unsure which one to get.  I've read a number of posts on the DTS400, RTS400, ETS/3, and RO90.  I'm leaning toward the DTS for the delta pad to get into crevices, but with such a short stroke I wanted to ask if others have found it effective removing old finish.  For a number of reason (ruining the piece, VOCs, etc), I'd like to avoid chemical removers. Thanks.

 

[sancho57]

Before I'd sand, I'd use a stripper.then you should be able to lightly sand the pieces.

 

[Justin Michael]

Before I'd sand, I'd use a stripper.then you should be able to lightly sand the pieces.

Thanks.  I've been reading around about strippers for the past hour and may have to go that route.  Is there one that you'd recommend?

 

[any]

I have used card scrapers in the past to remove lacquer from pieces with thin veneer, to avoid sanding through, but they are not well suited for round edges either.

Also be careful with water based strippers since they can dissolve the hide glue underneath (if hide glue is used) if the veneer is soaked for an extended time.

 

[Oldwood]

Another vote for the stripper from me. I like the thick almost gel like strippers as they will hang a bit on vertical surfaces. We paint the stripper on and re apply to keep it wet for the time required then we use coarse planer shavings with rubber gloves to burnish the surface. This soaks up all the stripper and can be swept up afterwards. We have been able to  finish with only a light sanding which preserves the patina of the piece.

We keep a jar of shavings soaked in stripper to rub into carvings etc.

The only problem with this system is it does not supply a reason to buy a new sander

Gerry

 

[sancho57]

I'd look at citrus based strippers and get a thick jell sort of stripper for the vertical surfaces

 

[Michael1960]

Great advice from Gerry regarding the use of gel type strippers.  I'd only add the RTS400 will be useful for a wide variety of light sanding projects. 
PS - Never let an objective view get in the way another Festool sander purchase.

 

[Justin Michael]

Thank you all for the input.  I went to the big box store and got some Citristrip gel and stripper after-wash.  One application took about 90% of the old poly off.  Just have to go back and hit a few spots and crevices.

I was initially worried about methylene chloride-based strippers, but happy to have found a less toxic product.

P.S. I still decided to get the DTS to sand post-stripping. After reading a number of positive posts on the sander here, I look forward to trying it out this evening.  ;D