Hi all
I’m about to start finish sanding some Paulownia(extremely soft). So far I have surfaced the timber by hand plane but still have some tearout I plan on using a ROS any clues as to suitable speed settings on the tool. Timber will be finished with clear epoxy.
Thanks
Replies
Clear epoxy finish? Is this a guitar? Just curious. This wood is extremely soft so I would START with a random orbit sander to get rid of tearout (allthough a card scraper may be better) then finish with hand sanding with a felt block wrapped in fine grit sandpaper. As far as setting on the sander, if the tearout is deep use full speed and maybe 120 paper. Then you can work up by hand from there? So, what are you making?
Adam
Hey Adam
Its a hollow wooden surfboard, the tearouts not bad I used an LV bevel up low angle smother which worked fairly well. The decks now at 1/4" which is about finished thickness so whatever I decide to do now it's pretty much the last shot.
Thanks
John
Gotcha. Well, maybe the answer is to "spot scrape" (my new term?) the tearout with a card scraper, or take some of the sanding dust mix with a little shellac or epoxy untill the consistency of, say, peanut butter and fill the tearout. Once it dries sand smooth, then hand sand everything smooth then apply finish. Could you post pics when finished? It sounds really cool!
Adam
Edited 1/22/2008 6:25 pm ET by ak
Thanks for the reply Adam, both ideas may have an application. So am I right in thinking that ROS speeds are more about stock removal then anything else?
Attached is a shot of the board at the railing up stage, I'm currently gluing the top deck down. It's been a great project. I have surfed and woodworked for about 25yrs and to have a project which encompass both is great.
Cheers
John
WOW! That looks awesome! Living in Southern IL doesn't afford many opportunities to surf, so I am jealous. Never tried it. Would love too though! It's great that you can combine both passions the way that you are. Well, let's see, RO sanders that have variable speeds do indeed control the level of aggressiveness in the sanding action. Sand with too high a speed on something delicate like a shellac finish and you cut right through. Sand too slow on a piece of white oak and you'll be there for days. The variable speed option is nice in that sense. I have used mine to it's full advantage, but rarely due to the large amount of hand surfacing I do in my work. In your case it can definitely help you to keep from sanding a nice dip very quickly in the 1/4" surface of your board. Just be sure to move the sander around a bit to avoid a crater!! (I'm sure you knew that I just felt obligated to state it!) I love the internal bridge work in that board. It's fascinating! Keep it up man.
Adam
Hi John,
Very cool. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, Ca. Never surfed, except a little body surfing, but always enjoyed watching friends at "Steamers Lane", "The Point", "Castle" etc. Is there a special name for that type of long board? Is it for show or will you ride it? Wind surf?
Paul
Edited 1/23/2008 3:22 pm ET by colebearanimals
Hi Paul
Definitely for surfing, They are just referred to as a hollow wooden surfboard, the construction techniques borrow a bit from traditional boat building, aircraft construction and general woodworking. It's an addictive slope to go down and a completely different mind set from my usual woodworking projects.
Haven't had the pleasure of surfing Santa Cruz, but have surfed in the Sanfransico Bay area about 10 yrs back, I'm from New Zealand so the opportunity dosn't arise a lot!
Rgds
John
There's some awfully good surf where you are as well, John. If you get a chance, post us some pictures of it completed. Very nice.
Paul
ps ".... slippery slope..." must have forgotten your sex wax :)
Edited 1/23/2008 5:35 pm ET by colebearanimals
Sand at lower speeds.
mike
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