Do you dress up your Disk Sander?

[Patrice Lemée]

I’ve been gluing the paper straight on the aluminum disk I bought from Beaumont.
I saw a couple of places (“How to make folding knives” book & S.R. Johnson’s Sub-Hilt DVD) that they use some kind of backing to the sandpaper. I believe a layer of presswood and one of thin micarta, something like ¼” glued to the disk.

What do you guys use and what are the pros and cons?

Pat

 

[NickWheeler]

Mine likes to wear glasses, a fake mustache, and a funny little hat.




I used to keep a rubber pad on mine. Got it from K&G several years ago. I still throw it on there from time to time, but not much. It cuts super smooth as is, and I can get into tighter, crisper spots without the rubber pad.

A disc with a little give is nice if you're doing a sweeping grind or for some handle work though.

Ed mentioned that he put cork on his and really liked the results. I haven't tried that one (yet! ).

 

[knifemaniac]

I have a velcro glued to mine disc. It is because I found abrasive paper, adapted for velcro. It runs very smooth for handles.

 

[Will Leavitt]

Seconding what Nick said. The 2 disk grinders I have used (not mine) had a soft backing for finish work and the other was a hard surfaced horizontal for flattening. Ed Caffery says that he uses 1/16" cork gasket material for backing on his disk grinders.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

You guys are killing me! Now I need another sander.

Kidding aside, thanks for the info.

Pad

 

[Lynn]

I would really like a foot control for speed. The old sewing machine controller works but heats up. Probably not good for it or the motor. Anyone know where I could find such a thing?
Lynn

 

[Jack O'Neill]

I used the presswood with formica , it worked great until I moved to the moist climate . I did not have it sealed and it swelled up . I have the hard rubber from K&G and am finding I have a hard time washing the glue off of it . So I'm going to put some formica on the rubber .

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks ONeill, I'll give the formica a try.

Pat

 

[messermacher]

I would really like a foot control for speed. The old sewing machine controller works but heats up. Probably not good for it or the motor. Anyone know where I could find such a thing?
Lynn

Check out Grainger, they sell the foot controls.....I have one on each of my grinders. Think they ran around $30 or so when I bought mine.

 

[go mike]

Mine likes to wear glasses, a fake mustache, and a funny little hat.

I saw the title, and I wondered who'd be first. Nick wins.