Acrylic Sanding Pads

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Youngturner101

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I am new to finishing with the sanding pads for acrylic. The pads go up to 15,000 grit if i am not mistaken? There is an issue I am having with the pads catching on the blank and burning off the sanding part. I tried lowering the speed and adding more water to the rag I was using and its still burning out. This is only happening at the lower grits with the pads. Any suggestions?
 
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Youngturner101 said:
I am new to finishing with the sanding pads for acrylic. The pads go up to 15,000 grit if i am not mistaken? There is an issue I am having with the pads catching on the blank and burning off the sanding part. I tried lowering the speed and adding more water to the rag I was using and its still burning out. This is only happening at the lower grits with the pads. Any suggestions?
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Not too sure I know what you mean but will take a stab at it. First and foremost when working with acrylics heat is your enemy. When you get ready to use the sanding pads or MM if that is what you are using the blank should be in almost ready to assemble condition because those pads are only designed to take out very small scratches and not designed to level or shape the blank. The use of abernet or sandpaper which I detest is what is used to get it that far. I always prefer the skew to get me to the MM stage.

Anyway, the pads should be soaked in water. As you take the pad to the blank the water in the pad will provide the lubricant. Need to cover the bed of the lathe to prevent rusting and water getting into the motor. No need to push hard. You will bend the mandrel if you are using one. Keep the pads wet and as I said heat is your enemy. If the pad dries out it gets heated and will stick or melt to the blank. Hope this helps and if not maybe you can explain your method abit more. Good luck.
 
Unlike John T, I never use water near my lathe. Just my preferance. John is correct in saying that heat is your problem. I also use a mini metal lathe to turn most of my pens. My using a cutting tool is the same as John's skill in using the skew, and leaves a very smooth surface to start with. I always sand with the power off to begin with, and go lenghtwise on the blank with 220 followed by 400 grit. Wipe clean between grits. On acrylics I will either use two coats of One Step polish, or go through the MM and that add polish. Wet or dry, don't linger to long in one place with your pad. If heat builds up on the lighter grits, it will transfer to your blank. Use very little pressure with the pads. You can tell by ear when they aren't cutting any longer. Should take less than a minute to go through all 9 pads. Keep the pads moving over your blanks. This should stop your problems. Jim S
 
My method is that I use a wet piece of rag to continuously keep the blank wet. I use the rag with my left hand on top of the blank and the pad in my right hand under the blank. Are you saying I should soak the pads in water? and good call about the rust on the bed of the lathe... the mandrel also rusts with the bushing if you leave them on... It isn't like I would know or anything.........
 
Youngturner101 said:
My method is that I use a wet piece of rag to continuously keep the blank wet. I use the rag with my left hand on top of the blank and the pad in my right hand under the blank. Are you saying I should soak the pads in water? and good call about the rust on the bed of the lathe... the mandrel also rusts with the bushing if you leave them on... It isn't like I would know or anything.........
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Never, ever use any rags around a lathe. You are asking for a mishap. Yes wet the pads. By using water it will prolong the use of the pads. Less friction. Keep the pads moving and light pressure.
 
jttheclockman said:
Youngturner101 said:
My method is that I use a wet piece of rag to continuously keep the blank wet. I use the rag with my left hand on top of the blank and the pad in my right hand under the blank. Are you saying I should soak the pads in water? and good call about the rust on the bed of the lathe... the mandrel also rusts with the bushing if you leave them on... It isn't like I would know or anything.........
Click to expand...


Never, ever use any rags around a lathe. You are asking for a mishap. Yes wet the pads. By using water it will prolong the use of the pads. Less friction. Keep the pads moving and light pressure.
Click to expand...

:eek: I agree with John about the rags near a lathe. If you want to keep your blanks wet, use paper towling or a paper napkin. If it catches it just shreds and won't draw your hand in. When your pads fill up, drop them in the washer, they come out just like new. Make sure it's a dark load and volinteer to unload the washer before the wife sees them !!! Jim S
 
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