disc sander backing plate

[Christopher Brunton]

Howdy guys!

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I've been Busy. I hope everyone is having fun.

I just scored a 1/2 horse g.e. ac motor with a 5/8 shaft. Where the hell can I find a disc to put on it? (8 or 9 inch)

I'm open to either sticky disks or screw on, but I can't find much online. I tried McMaster-Carr, but could only find an arbor and no backing disc. Hmmmmm Help?

thanks,
chris

[loosvelt]

I went with the french arbor and pad Kurt Huhn sells on his website. I have the same motor as you and it works great. Couldn't be happier with it.

http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/tools/

I just buy plan old hook and loop pads from woodcraft and arbralon polishing pads from Supergrit.

[T3pipes]

I use Kurt's arbor and pad as well. They work really well. I just have some difficulty getting the sanding pads centered, which would be a problem for me regardless of who made it.

[kkendall]

Another SUPER handy item to go with your motor. I have a few 3" backing pads and this is how I mount them to the motor.

http://www.pipemakers.org/tools02.html

[Christopher Brunton]

Thanks guys,

I actually have a couple of 5 inch discs that I use on my lathe and, though they do work well and I like the quick change hook and loop discs (by the way Norton 3x discs are great), I'm looking for 8 inch. Actually, I found them here:
http://www.acetoolrepair.com/index.php

They have parts for stuff.

Since I have a delta 1 x 8 belt/disc sander, I stole the disc off of that. Now I just need to replace it.

thanks,
chris

[Christopher Brunton]

So, out of curiosity, (and because the 8 inch is too slow for my liking) what does everyone else use, motor and disc-wise, if I might ask?

thanks
chris

[KurtHuhn]

Stunningly, I use this:
http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/tools/



I also have a 3450RPM motor that has a doohickey onto which a 7" resin-backed grinding wheel is mounted. I don't use it for everything, but it comes in handy for certain shapes. This particular doohickey I made myself, and am working out some kinks before I offer it for sale on the page above.

In addition, I still use my big belt grinder for a lot of rough shaping - especially if I'm making something that needs straight lines.

And files. Especially for stems.

[Nick]

I have a motor - probably a 1/2 hp. No clue really. And some cheap plastic backers for my disks. That's about it.

[SimeonTurner]

So, out of curiosity, (and because the 8 inch is too slow for my liking) what does everyone else use, motor and disc-wise, if I might ask?

thanks
chris

I have a Leeson 1/2 HP 1725 RPM motor, complete with Kurt's arbor and backing pad set up. I seriously cannot believe how nice it is making pipes with Abralon sanding pads as opposed to any of the other ways I have done it over the years. I cannot recommend it highly enough! If Kurt wasn't such a surly fellow, I'd kiss him.

Rad gave me good advice a while back, and suggested that I make sure to use a fully enclosed motor. Don't want briar dust jamming up that bad boy.

[Philthy]

As a newb with one pipe made so far can I ask what may be an obvious question? Right now I am doing everything by hand and would like to give myslef a bit of help. I have a 1/2 hp motor ready but can you use the disc backing plates and sticky sandpaper to get into ALL the nooks and crannies or do you still have to hand sand those tight areas that are the bane of my existence?

[SimeonTurner]

You'd be surprised at just how versatile it is with a disc sander. Sure, if it's a tight enough spot you may need to hand sand or use files, but the disc sander reduces overall time pretty substantially.

[Philthy]

I have been looking at Kurt's arbor and backing pads and will probably pull the trigger on some (gotta finish some knives first). Do most of you use one pad and change the paper out for different grits or does everyone actually devote separate pads to different grits?

[loosvelt]

Hey Phil! Great to see another USN member on here (go by Loosvelt on there). Always liked your knives.

I have two pads, but I just switch out the grits on one. Make sure to check out the Abralon pads too. I just switched to those of the reg hook and loop and couldn't be happier with them.

-Nate

[kbadkar]

The Abralon and padded pads are good for finish shaping and finish sanding, but not the best for rough shaping.

For rough shaping, a hard backed sanding disc/belt sander deal like this:

disc belt sander

does the job nice and quick, the belt gets in tighter spots and those weird areas the disc won't go, and you can square up blocks, etc.

[KurtHuhn]

For rough shaping, a hard backed sanding disc/belt sander deal like this:

disc belt sander

And those work *excellent* for shaping stems, particularly saddle stems. And small knife blades. It's my go-to grinder for a lot of things.

[loosvelt]

The Abralon and padded pads are good for finish shaping and finish sanding, but not the best for rough shaping.

For rough shaping, a hard backed sanding disc/belt sander deal like this:

disc belt sander

does the job nice and quick, the belt gets in tighter spots and those weird areas the disc won't go, and you can square up blocks, etc.

Oh no doubt, I should have mentioned that. I use a 2 x 42 belt sander for rough shaping. But I am sure Phil has a sweet 2 x 72 for that.

[Philthy]

As a matter of fact I have a KMG 2x72 and that is what I used for rough shaping sanding. You better keep it rough though because it will eat some briar in a hurry where you don't want it to if you arent careful. (Don't ask)

Tradhunter- were we on the USN when we were talking about a trade the other day? I dont remember realizing you were on the USN at the time. Too many forums to keep track of.

[loosvelt]

Phil I wasn't part of any trade talk, what exactly was going on?

-Nate

[Philthy]

Somewhere (cant remember) got to talking to someone by the handle Tradhunter. Asked if that meant traditional bows (and it did) then evolved to trading one of my knives for one of his pipes. I think it started because he had a Bari or a Boswell on ebay. He had some others (a Bari a Neerup, some others) he sent me pictures of but it kind of fizzled after that.

On the topic of sanding pad - does anyone hook up a dust collector near the pads or just let the dust fly?

[T3pipes]

a dust collection is system of some type should be purchased with the first large piece of sanding equipment you buy.