How to work with a wood sander
Oscillating
Strictly speaking, this is not a grinder, but it can be grinded. over, those places that are inaccessible for other types of machines are corners (even sharp ones), places directly at the vertical walls. For grinding, a special-shaped triangular platform is installed on the tool, on which sandpaper is fixed on a self-adhesive base.
This is what a multifunctional renovator looks like, which has a grinding function.
During operation, the platform moves in a horizontal plane with a very small amplitude. the vertices of the triangle deviate by about 1.7 ° (this is an average of 2.5 mm). Due to this small movement, grinding occurs. This machine can be used to grind in corners and close to vertical surfaces. over, you can remove not only wood, but also smeared and dried glue. In general, an oscillating machine is used for finishing grinding in hard-to-reach places. due to its low productivity and a grinding spot, it is unrealistic to process more or less large surfaces with it.
Tape
When choosing belt grinding, you need to look at the following parameters:
The width of the tape can be different
Additional handle allows for tighter control of the tool
You also need to pay attention to how convenient it is to change the tape. There are also models that allow you to quickly change the brushes. Sometimes spare brushes are even included.
Technical selection criteria
Any tool is divided into classes that differ in work resource (and price). So a sander for wood can be household or professional. Household ones are designed for short continuous work with interruptions. Basically, it is recommended to work no more than 3 hours a day, periodically taking breaks of 15 minutes.
How to Use a Sander
Professional models are designed to work for 8-12 hours, breaks are rarely needed or not needed at all. The working resource of such a tool is many times greater. For this, durable and reliable (read. expensive) materials are used. In addition, the performance of such equipment is much higher, as a rule, there are more adjustments.
To choose a wood sanding machine, you need to pay attention to the technical parameters
When choosing, the first thing to decide is what class your car should be. I must say that some manufacturers have a good household class, and some also have semi-professional lines. This is an intermediate class, as a rule, for private use it is optimal in terms of price / quality combination. Some models are even used by professionals.
Orbital (eccentric)
The orbital sander for wood has a round sole with Velcro, on which sandpaper discs are attached. The discs are the same as for the angle grinder, so they are interchangeable. There are holes in the sole of the machine to remove dust. Dust is collected in a bag, cassette-type container, almost all models allow you to connect a construction vacuum cleaner.
The eccentric sander allows for the processing of curved surfaces
The work of an eccentric sander for wood is based on the simultaneous rotation and movement back and forth (reciprocating movements). This achieves a good enough speed for intermediate and finishing wood processing. When working with this type of grinder, the platform moves in a spiral or orbit. Therefore, this tool is also called orbital grinders.
Eccentric sanders are good for curved or profiled surfaces. the machine is light in weight, makes little noise, is easy to control, the angle of the disc can be used to reach grooves, scraps, etc. With all this, she also handles large planes at a good pace. When installing coarse sandpaper, it can be used for coarse and intermediate sanding. The speed is less than that of the tape, but also quite acceptable. There are such machines with different radius of movement (eccentricity). from 3 to 8 mm. Selecting this parameter and determine the main purpose (more on this below).
There are small and compact, there are powerful, decent dimensions
The disadvantages of this type of machines are the impossibility of processing in the corners. The round platform is simply not included there. Also, there is a zone of uncertain polishing at the edges. it will not be possible to polish close to a wall or a vertical surface.
Types, purpose, features of work
There are different types of grinders that do the same job, but with different results. There is a tool for rough (preliminary), medium (intermediate) and fine (finishing) grinding. Part of the tool can even do polishing.
The machine for grinding wood can be of different pitch, size, performance
To choose a sander for wood, you first need to decide what type of work you need it for. For rough sanding. leveling unevenness, height differences. one type is suitable, for finishing sanding. bringing to the ideal. another type. over, both tasks can be solved using different types of equipment.
Popular eccentric sander models
| Makita | BO5031 | 300 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 125 mm | 2.8 mm | 90-120 |
| Makita | BO5041 | 300 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 125 mm | 3 mm | 100-200 |
| Metabo | SXE 450 TurboTec | 350 watts | 13100 rpm | 8500 rpm | 150 mm | 6.2 mm | 185-220 |
| Bosch | GEX 150 AC | 340 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 150 mm | 4 mm | 175-220 |
| Bosch | GEX 125-1 AE Box | 250 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 125 mm | 2.5 mm | 70-90 |
angle grinder. angle grinder
The well-known angle grinder can also be used for sanding wood. It copes well with the coarse grinding function. Of all the tools available, this one is the most productive. If you need to quickly level large wooden surfaces. sanding the floor, walls, logs. this is the job for an angle grinder. Minus. the surface turns out to be very uneven, it takes a long time to align all the pits and humps. If it still “passes” on the log house, then the result is unsatisfactory for any carpentry work. If you can buy another tool, you should not use an angle grinder to sand wood.
For wood, use red emery wheels. this is a special abrasive
For the angle grinder, there are special attachments for sanding wood. The best option is flap discs or discs with different grit sandpaper. When installed, the working plane is below the protective cover, it is safe to work, you can move in any direction. Carefully it is necessary to process the places with protruding heads of nails and screws. We lower the tool from above, carefully move it. The grinding wheel easily breaks with a sharp movement, so be careful.
By varying the grain size of the grinding wheels used, it is possible to carry out coarse and medium (intermediate) grinding. The work will take less time than if you use any other sander for wood. But it may take more time to bring to a flat surface, since, with a lack of experience, there will be more flaws.
When sanding wood, the sandpaper becomes clogged, the speed of work decreases. In addition to a decrease in speed, there is another sign. the smell of burnt wood. It is not necessary to change the disk right away; you can restore its operability. To do this, grind the metal for a few seconds. Everything adhered. resin, wood fibers, dust. burns, the surface is cleaned, the processing speed increases again. This trick, by the way, can be used with other grinders.
This attachment is used if you need to quickly change the sandpaper.
If you often have to clean and change the wheels, install a Velcro attachment on the angle grinder. Replacing the sandpaper is much easier and faster. unpinning / sticking is a matter of seconds. But working with a nozzle is more dangerous. Due to its height, the grinding area is above the level of the protective casing, it does not perform its functions. During the start, it happens that an unreliably fixed circle or even the nozzle itself flies off. They have a small weight, injuries are not serious, but all the same, they are injuries. An angle grinder with a smooth start helps to reduce the risks, but, anyway, you need to work with gloves, protective clothing with tightly buttoned sleeves, boots that cover your legs, and goggles.
Application of belt sanders
Belt sanders are used where it is necessary to quickly remove a fairly thick layer of material, for example, for sanding non-planed boards or removing old paint from surfaces. Also LShM is used for precise fitting of parts and processing of the cut mowing line.
Material processing is carried out using an abrasive belt, closed in a ring and stretched over rotating rollers. When moving, the tape removes a rather thick layer of material, comparable to the work of an electric planer. The thickness of the layer to be removed depends on the grain of the abrasive belt.
When choosing an LSM, you need to pay attention to two parameters: the width and length of the abrasive belt used and the speed of its rotation. The area of the processed surface depends on the width, the aggressiveness and degree of processing depend on the speed. Standard tape dimensions for LShM are as follows: 76×457 mm, 76×533 mm, 76×610 mm. The width of the belt for semi-professional grinders can be greater. 100 mm, but they are rarely used for domestic needs. The belt speed is usually in the range from 150 to 500 meters per minute, the power is from 400 to 1200 watts. Useful functions are smooth adjustment of the belt rotation speed and an automatic belt centering device that does not allow it to slide off the rollers even during rotational movements.
Abrasive belt for LShM is of two types, with an abrasive layer of aluminum oxide or zirconium. Zirconium tape provides a deeper, but more aggressive finish, contributes to the appearance of scratches, which must be treated with a less grained tape. For processing metal surfaces, it is better to choose a zirconium tape, with its help you can sharpen cutting surfaces.
Surface treatment with a belt sander is carried out as follows: the machine is installed on the surface to be treated without distortions, and, without exerting pressure on the machine, they make smooth longitudinal or circular movements along the surface of the material. If it is necessary to accurately fit parts, grinding is carried out with short-term translational movements or using a bounding frame.
Popular eccentric sander models
| Makita | BO5031 | 300 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 125 mm | 2.8 mm | 90-120 |
| Makita | BO5041 | 300 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 125 mm | 3 mm | 100-200 |
| Metabo | SXE 450 TurboTec | 350 watts | 13100 rpm | 8500 rpm | 150 mm | 6.2 mm | 185-220 |
| Bosch | GEX 150 AC | 340 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 150 mm | 4 mm | 175-220 |
| Bosch | GEX 125-1 AE Box | 250 watts | 12000 rpm | 24000 rpm | 125 mm | 2.5 mm | 70-90 |
Disk aggregates
The working surface of hand-made grinding machines for metal and wood is made in the form of an island metal disk, on which an abrasive is attached. Due to its simplicity of design and versatility of use, equipment of this type has gained wide popularity in the market today.
Such a machine consists of an electric motor, on the axis of which a circle with a fixed working surface is put on. Abrasive nozzles and sanding paper are attached to the working axis, which allows the processing of wooden blanks. Despite the simplicity of the design, such machines are versatile in use, they can perform high-quality wood processing, giving the workpieces a perfectly flat and smooth surface.
The advantages of surface grinding technology include:
- Versatility of use.
- Efficiency.
- Reliability.
- Simplicity of design.
A feature of this type of equipment is the ability to adjust the processing speed of wooden blanks without changing the number of revolutions of the working element. When working with such a machine, you can move the workpiece along the radius of the circle, which allows you to change the intensity of processing products. At the periphery of the disc, the linear speed will be higher, which makes it possible to significantly speed up and simplify wood processing. But inside the circle, where the linear speed is lower, finishing grinding is performed with the removal of the thinnest layer of wood.
The Only 3 Sandpapers You Really Need | SANDING BASICS
Vibrating
The sole of the vibration sander can be rectangular or triangular. During operation, it makes circular movements with a small amplitude. it vibrates, which gave the name to this type of equipment. This wood sander is used for fine finishing. for varnishing or painting, but has a low performance.
A vibrating sander for wood with a rectangular surface allows you to process large areas, but with its help it is not possible to sand wood near vertical planes and walls. it starts to beat against an obstacle. Triangular in this regard is more suitable for working in corners and hard-to-reach places, but you still cannot bring it tightly to the wall.
The vibrating machine is used for finishing
Another disadvantage of vibrating systems is the so-called “lambs”. If a grain of sand or other solid fragment gets under the surface, it leaves small circles on the wood. “lambs”. Removing these marks is difficult. It is necessary to use sandpaper of increasingly fine grain, gradually removing scratches. But if in the process something gets under the sole again, the process is repeated again. Therefore, before work, the surface is thoroughly cleaned and the plyosos is usually connected. for quick and timely removal of extraneous fragments.
Tape
When choosing belt grinding, you need to look at the following parameters:
-
Length and width of the tape. Belt width. from 6 mm to 100 mm. A narrow blade can handle small parts, a wide blade increases productivity. The length of the tape depends on the model. It is clear that the longer the tape, the longer it works without replacement. When buying a second belt sander, try to find a model with the same length. fewer consumables are required.
The width of the tape can be different
Additional handle allows for tighter control of the tool
You also need to pay attention to how convenient it is to change the tape. There are also models that allow you to quickly change the brushes. Sometimes spare brushes are even included.
Orbital Sander Basics | Beginner Tool
angle grinder. angle grinder
The well-known angle grinder can also be used for sanding wood. It copes well with the coarse grinding function. Of all the tools available, this one is the most productive. If you need to quickly level large wooden surfaces. sanding the floor, walls, logs. this is the job for an angle grinder. Minus. the surface turns out to be very uneven, it takes a long time to align all the pits and humps. If it still “passes” on the log house, then the result is unsatisfactory for any carpentry work. If you can buy another tool, you should not use an angle grinder to sand wood.
For wood, use red emery wheels. this is a special abrasive
For the angle grinder, there are special attachments for sanding wood. The best option is flap discs or discs with different grit sandpaper. When installed, the working plane is below the protective cover, it is safe to work, you can move in any direction. Carefully it is necessary to process the places with protruding heads of nails and screws. We lower the tool from above, carefully move it. The grinding wheel easily breaks with a sharp movement, so be careful.
By varying the grain size of the grinding wheels used, it is possible to carry out coarse and medium (intermediate) grinding. The work will take less time than if you use any other sander for wood. But it may take more time to bring to a flat surface, since, with a lack of experience, there will be more flaws.
When sanding wood, the sandpaper becomes clogged, the speed of work decreases. In addition to a decrease in speed, there is another sign. the smell of burnt wood. It is not necessary to change the disk right away; you can restore its operability. To do this, grind the metal for a few seconds. Everything adhered. resin, wood fibers, dust. burns, the surface is cleaned, the processing speed increases again. This trick, by the way, can be used with other grinders.
This attachment is used if you need to quickly change the sandpaper.
If you often have to clean and change the wheels, install a Velcro attachment on the angle grinder. Replacing the sandpaper is much easier and faster. unpinning / sticking is a matter of seconds. But working with a nozzle is more dangerous. Due to its height, the grinding area is above the level of the protective casing, it does not perform its functions. During the start, it happens that an unreliably fixed circle or even the nozzle itself flies off. They have a small weight, injuries are not serious, but all the same, they are injuries. An angle grinder with a smooth start helps to reduce the risks, but, anyway, you need to work with gloves, protective clothing with tightly buttoned sleeves, boots that cover your legs, and goggles.