Official Luthiers Forum!

Is anyone here using a pneumatic sander for wet-sanding? If so, I would appreciate any recommendations you can offer in terms of brand and style (i.e., ROS, jitterbug, etc.)

I realize these tools tend to be air-hungry, so I have picked up a compressor that should be capable. Now I just need the tool.

Thanks.

Take a look at this:

http://www.nationaldetroit.com/tools/tooldetail.aspx?model=6 00

I use it for wet sanding. It's an in-line sander so you do not get any swirl marks. It'll do all the guitar body except tight in on the waist...finish this small area by hand. It doesn't seem to be as air hungry as my orbitals...at least the compressor doesn't seem to cycle as often when using it.

Cool sander Hank. Where ever did you get it.

The sander hand mentioned is a great choice. Not cheap (new they cost
about $450 or so), but they do the job very nice and saves a lot of elbow
grease.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Seems I traded another luthier some redwood tops for it...

That is a mighty fine sander, Hank. It may be a little more than I was hoping to invest in a sander, but it sure makes me think twice.

Terrence,
The Dynabrade 5" looks like a mighty fine sander. Do you have an idea of how easy/difficult it is to get waterproof sanding discs of appropriate grits for finishing?

For a straight line sander I like the Nitto LS 10 (I can't seem to make a
hyper link work- try Google) .
For a round pad the Dynabrade is tops. Take note that it comes in two
different orbit patterns (3/16" & 5/32" as I recall). I have one of each.
As for wetsanding, you can make your own discs from sheet paper and a
thin coat of 3M 66 or 77 spray adhesive.
-CharlesChas Freeborn38412.9700694444

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Yes, the orbit issue is important. The smaller orbit is much less
aggressive, so it's better for final finesse work with grits 220 on up (I
finish up with 500 grit). Orbit swirls are a particular stinker when
staining, as the pigment settles down in the scratches and shows through
as curliques. The smaller orbits are practicly invisible.
The larger orbit I use with 150 & 180 grit discs for removing material at a
faster pace.
-Charles

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

What about polishing?, what are you guys using to do final and detail polishing, I have buffing wheels and they are great but it's hard to do tight waistes and florentines with them.

I'm shopping for a good small detail buffer right now...

Thanks

-Paul-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

I picked up a Dynabrade pneumatic 3" dia. dual action buffer on Ebay a while back. I tried it out but I'm not familiar with this method of buffing and didn't have very good luck. If someone is looking for this type of tool I can check back to see how much I paid for it.
Nelson