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Easier sanding on a lathe

Tags: sanding Lathe tip sandpaper finish easier sanding

February 15, 2011
7:39 PM

Jr.

West Branch, MI

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February 15, 2011

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ever get tired of holding your sandpaper when trying to get a nice finish on your peice? take your sandpaper, wrap it around the peice like normal then hook it to your tool post with the set skrew. hit the power feed, sit back and relax. make sure to pull the sandpaper tawt first. make sure to readjust your sandpaper every now and then to avoid it burning. it makes a nasty smell when it burns

"Once you get a reputation for being scatterbrained, people always think you never have a serious thought in your head, but that insn't always true. I ought to know." Tex – S.E. Hinton

February 16, 2011
6:56 AM

Fabrickator

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August 26, 2010

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Well, that's cetainly the lazy man's way to do it. Wink . I try not to have to "sand to submission" too much but occasionally it is the only option. If your tools are sharp and you hit your mark you can usually just touch it up for a second or two if apprearence is still an issue. When sanding on any machine I use emery cloth and try to keep it moving.

You can walk with a wooden leg but you can't see with a glass eye. Always use Eye Protection!

February 16, 2011
10:41 AM

GarethBell

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September 19, 2010

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I would cover the ways with something to stop the dust that comes from the paper getting ground into the table. I personally put a bit of oil on the paper which reduces the dust given off, and makes an abrasive paste this also reduces the amount of dust that goes into the chuck. On my lathe dust/smoke seems attracted to the chuck.

Stand back.

February 16, 2011
7:23 PM

Jr.

West Branch, MI

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February 15, 2011

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i dont have my own lathe… yet …. i just dont have the money rite now. but i have a machine tool class at my high school and it seems that happens w/ any lathe. the ones ive seen at least. i think ill try that oil thing. thanks for the tip

"Once you get a reputation for being scatterbrained, people always think you never have a serious thought in your head, but that insn't always true. I ought to know." Tex – S.E. Hinton

October 24, 2011
5:37 PM

Ing Chao

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October 24, 2011

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I've been using the foam sanding blocks from HF. I put my little shop vac next to my lathe and hold the hose behind the work to catch the dust. Start with a coarse block then go to a fine one.

Don't forget to wear a mask. I work with aluminum and oh man, the dust from that (beside being hazardous) causes a mean post-nasal drip.

October 24, 2011
11:54 PM

Titaniumboy

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October 10, 2010

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I'm a huge fan of the Klingspor Sandflex Hand Blocks, also known as Rust Erasers. Available at The Rust Store or Lee Valley. These are not foam sanding blocks; rather, they are similar to regular pink erasers except that they have abrasives throughout the inside of the eraser. As you use them, rubber material rubs away (again, just like a regular eraser) and fresh sharp abrasive is continually being exposed.

YouTube Review and written review by NewMetalWorker

Popular Woodworking review

These reviews are spot on. My Rust Erasers are simply amazing, long-lasting, inexpensive and I find myself looking for rusty or dirty tools just so I can make them look new again. I literally can take these things to an old severely rusted vise or a drill press table and I can have them showroom shiny with relatively little work. Be careful, these things are addictive to OCD type personalities.

Oh yeah, they seem to work well on lathe and milling projects also. Laugh