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QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
Question:
Are
there conditions where you do not recommend using the Rotary
Sander?
Answer:
The Rotary
Sander was primarily designed for use on bowls to take the place
of a power sander. However it can be used with success for
virtually all turned work including spindle turning. The
limitations of the tool are pretty obvious once you start using
it. For instance you wouldn't try to sand the grooves of a honey
dipper, miniatures are out of the question as are beads, coves
and other intricate details where there is a physical mismatch
between the turned item and the shape and size of the sander. The
minimum size bowl you could do successfully is approx 3½" wide x 2" deep (90mm
wide x 50mm deep).
In
short the limitations for this sander are virtually the same as
for a power sander.
Question:
Is
it best to use the Rotary Sander on hardwoods or softwoods?
Answer:
The Rotary
Sander is equally effective on both hardwood and softwood, if
however the sander contact angle is very steep a texturing effect
can occur on some softwoods. This effect occurs because the disc
is able to protrude into the softer area between the growth rings
which is sanded away much quicker. Unless a textured effect is
required this can be eliminated quite easily by adopting a
flatter sanding angle.
Question:
Is
the result as good on smaller diameter rounds as on larger bowls
and platters?
Answer:
Yes the result
is as good on smaller items, the sander of course has to fit into
the item. Smaller items will however take longer to sand unless
the lathe speed is increased. The sanding action and the speed
with which the work is done is completely dependant on the timber
going past the sanding disc. For instance if the sander is placed
on the outer rim of a 300mm (12 inch) platter spinning at 1,000
rpm the sanding head will be running at between 900 and 9,000 rpm
depending upon how the head is applied to the surface. Whilst at
the centre of the same platter spinning at the same speed the
head will only run at approx. 300 rpm or less.
Question:
I
already own a power sanding disc which I use in a drill. Why
should I buy a Rotary Sander?
Answer:
1/ Unlike
power sanders the Rotary Sander does not need an outside power
source to make it run it is driven entirely by the piece of work
you will be sanding.
2/ The Rotary Sander is light weight comfortable to hold and
designed for easy of use. Power sanders by comparison are
extremely heavy and cumbersome and takes a lot more to control
during the sanding process.
3/ Power sanders are rather hard on the abrasive discs because
they are fighting against the flow of the timber being sanded.
The Rotary Sander on the other hand is very gentle on the
abrasive discs because the sander works in complete harmony with
the spinning work-piece.
4/ The Rotary Sander only has 1 moving part, the head, which is
attached to the comfortable handle via 2 sealed bearings
eliminating the need for service and maintenance.
5/ The rotational direction of the head is easily reversed by
changing the way the head is applied to the work, this will more
than double the grit life of the abrasive discs.
6/ The unique, heavy duty, closed cell foam
on the head, is one of the great benefits of the Rotary Sander.
This foam compresses when the head is placed in contact with the
spinning work. It is this compression action which allows the
abrasive to be kept in smooth, flowing contact with both the
internal and external curves of the turned item whilst the
sanding is in progress.
7/ To our knowledge pretty well all turners who own both a power
sander and a Rotary Sander, agree that the Rotary Sander is by
far the better of the two tools to use.
Question:
What
is the difference between conventional hand sanding and using a
Rotary Sander?
Answer:
Conventional
hand sanding is slower, uses more paper, always leaves a pattern
of sanding marks on the timber, can burnish or burn the sanded
surface, does not make the most of the abrasive paper and is
liable to burn your fingers.
Rotary
Sanding is much faster, uses far less abrasive paper, does not
leave any sanding pattern on the surface of the work piece, it is
virtually impossible to burn the timber, uses the paper to its
full extent making it extremely economical and because you never
come into physical contact with the work piece it is impossible
to burn your fingers.
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