Hello all,
Well, it looks like I should be starting on some ‘house’ projects (finish/trim work, as well as furniture) here soon, even though my shop isn’t quite up to where I want it. I figure one of the things I’m going to need here along the line is a sander of some sort. We do have a couple B&D quarter-sheet sanders floating around, the $10 or so models. I’m planning on getting a fairly nice ROS, and one of the things that I’m not quite decided on is whether to go w/ H&L or PSA pads. The one ‘professional’ that I’ve talked to builds very nice $$$$ custom homes, including all the interior trim, cabinetry, etc., and swears by PSA because of problems he’s had w/ H&L pads fraying at the edges and whatnot, plus the price differential (was looking in the local hardware store; had PC H&L pads for $6.99 for 5, or $7.99 for 15 PSA… youch!). Seems like most of the people I’ve talked to outside of a production/commercial setup seem to like H&L, though.
Anyone care to expound upon the virtues of one vs. the other as they see it? I’m interested as to what everybody feels on this one.
TIA,
Monte
Replies
When I started it was 3M disc adhesive (8051) for sanding discs. Then PSA discs came along. That was great. Still is. Now I use both PSA and H&L. Don't have any more trouble with one than the other.
Those disc prices you've posted are friggin' astronomical. You need to go to a sandpaper supplier. I use Sandpaper, Inc. here in Illinois.
PSA...Klingspor.com
If you are going to sand with a disc until it is dull then go with psa.
if you will be changing grits alot the get some good H&L.
once you peel off a PSA it will not stick back on, so it is toast.
but a cheap H&l is just a felt pad stuck to a psa sanding disc.
when you try too take it off after alot of sanding the adhesive will be warm and the felt wit stay on the sander and will not stick back on the disc.
Toast also.
Paper h&l are cheaper than cloth, but don't stand up to lots of changes.
Klingspor is a good source for abrasives.
Rhino makes good stuff
Ask a good Hardwoodflooring guy near you where he gets his grits.
sandpaper can make or break a HW flooring business!
How about it Ditchburns? You have any input?
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
[quote]
If you are going to sand with a disc until it is dull then go with psa.
if you will be changing grits alot the get some good H&L.
I guess that's the problem. I am new at this, so I don't really have a gauge as to how much I'm going to be switching. Like I said, DIY finish and trim work, and casual woodworking (starting out small, hopefully working up to large pieces of furniture for the home and as gifts)
Thanks,
Monte
do you always talk code?
no, it was an attempt to utilize special formatting code to offset the text being quoted. Apparently this board doesn't support it. Sorry.
Monte
I vote for the hook and loop. Bought my first RO with a PSA pad thinking I was going to save money on paper. Ended up throwing away a lot of lightly used sheets because I needed to change grits. Bought a hook and loop pad to screw to my sander and haven't put the PSA back on since.
Hook and loop seems to me the way to go - unless you have a production line.
Don't sweat it too much - for maybe $15 you can buy the other style pad if you decide you chose the wrong one with your initial purchase.
You don't have to toss those good psa discs or delegate them for use at the lathe. Just put a little dab of 3M 8051 disc adhesive on the pad, wait a minute so while it tacks up and you're good to go. Automotive body supply or sometimes plain old auto supply carry this product. I've tried numerous different types of this stuff over the years and the #8051 is definitely the way to go.
The important thing is not to over do the amount you put on when using what is primarily deemed to be a pad for psa discs. Just a little around the perimeter is all you'll likely need.
Or you could designate another sander for use of these discs and use the 3M on that one only.
Or....send me your used discs. :-)
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 12/29/2003 9:50:18 AM ET by GOLDHILLER
you can also stick a used disc to a piece of wax paper I always have a roll in the shop for glue ups and such..also wad up a hunk and go over the jointer tables or table saw..or..use the peeloff backing again if ya have that brand of paper.
My PSA discs are 6". The edges always wear out first so I fold them in half, back to back, and keep the half moon for all the hand work. It fits my hand fairly well..
Excellence is its own reward!
Anyone know of a R.O. sander that will wear out the centers of the discs???Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
I buy 50 or a hundred at a time so the price diff isn't as noticeable.
I ahve both kinds and the PSA will wear at the edges too. On jobs where it sees steady action, the paper can be practically heat welded to the pad so it takes forever and a bucket full of patience to get the old one off. So the labour cost offsets the savings in paper replacements.
If you will be doing small furniture typre jobs where you steadily progress thru the grits before wearing each one out, you want the hook and loop so you can reuse the piece.
Excellence is its own reward!
Sounds like you need to buy your psa discs with a heavier weight paper backing. F weight, I beleive is what I get. They don't tear into pieces when it's time to remove. Boost in price is negligible.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Pretty good advice all around so far...and advantages/disadvantages to both setups.
For your situation, I'd recommend the hook and loop. Easy to transition from one grit to another and back again.
Buy the discs in bulk packages, mail order is the way. Packs of five at the hardware store will kill your wallet.