Mike Audleman
08-10-2014, 10:36 PM
Yes, you read that right!
How? Sanding pads!
Harbor Freight had a little sander (http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68861-8493.html) on sale. $15, regularly $19. I been wanting one since I got the laser cutter. While there I got a finger sanding attachment (http://www.harborfreight.com/piece-multi-tool-finger-sanding-pad-and-paper-set-68964.html) for it. Lucky too as when I got home I found out the $15 tool doesn't have any head other than a cutter head, no triangle pad. Grrrr. Will have to head back and get the larger triangle head. While there I also got some sanding pads (http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-multi-tool-finger-sanding-sheet-assortment-for-wood-68968.html) for for the finger sanding head.
The thing is, I just wanted some 4x36 sanding belts 180-240 grit. All they have is 120 and down. 120 will destroy 1/8 ply. I didn't get what I actually went there for. Hmph.
While standing there looking at the triangle sanding pads, I noted they seemed a bit expensive and sadly and stupidly they don't have fine grits only 120 and down in packs or combo packs that had only a few of the finer grits that I actually wanted. Hello? Tiny sander, fine grit for corner finishing, I am not gonna be grinding rust off a pickup with a 2" pad. Seriously. So I see some round disks (velcro backed) and then I spy some 16x2-3/4 sanding strips (http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-16-in-x-2-34-in-grit-aluminum-oxide-sanding-sheets-69588.html) with velcro backing.
Then I had a flux capacitor moment. Hey, I got a laser cutter, why can't I cut my own? So I grabbed a box of the strips too. I figured if it doesn't work I am only out $2.50 and I can still use em with a sanding block so it wouldn't be a total loss. But it wasn't :)
Works out well. VERY well...here is the math..
68968: 9pc Finger sanding pads
3ea of 60, 120 and 240 grit. I will never use the 60, too course. 120 maybe, but all I really want is the 240.
So, 3 needed, 3 iffy, total of 6 usable pads: $3.79/ Works out to $0.63 for each pad. Hmm.
69588: 5pc Sanding Sheets
1 60grit, 2ea 320 and 500
Again, 60 is a throw away, but the 320 definitely I can use and maybe the 500 for finishing.
So, 4 sheets: $2.49, $0.62 a sheet and they are WAY bigger. Liking this already.
294650
A bit of time perfecting the shape and I can get 15 pads per strip. So from a $0.62 sheet I can cut 15 pads making each one $0.04 each. Hey, 4 cents is WAY better than 63 cents per isn't it? Takes under a minute to cut 15.
Here is a finished set beside the new package and the tool head.
294645
I will be on the hunt for other grits, specifically 180-220. Got the 320-500 covered now :)
Here is the Corel Draw file:
SandingPad.zip (http://www.wolfiesden.com/public/laser/SandingPad.zip)
It has the photo of the pad I used to trace, a master single vector object and 15 laid out for the above mentioned strips. You can export just the single one to your laser if you wish or do the whole strip at once.
On my ebay 50w chinese laser: 40mm/s @ 30% power cut. I think I could cut the power and boost the speed but I wanted to make sure I went through on on pass. Cut from the velcro side as I suspect the grit will likely just scatter the laser ins instead of cutting cleanly..
Then, I found this!
Hook & Loop 2-3/4"W x 27-1/2 Yds Long Abrasive Sandpaper Rolls (http://www.tptools.com/Hook-and-Loop-2-3and4-W-x-27-1and2-Yds-Long-Abrasive-Sandpaper-Rolls,7870.html?b=d*13635)
Yipes! 220grit is $22.95. But wait..
27.5 yd is 82.5ft. And thats 990 inches. Lesse, that works out to just over 61 of those 16" sheets. $22.95/61 $0.38 a sheet :) and 15 pads per sheet is 2.5c per pad. Nice. No, I am not ordering $23 of sandpaper for a $15 sander. Yet. But I may. Right now, $2.49 a whack is palatable.
How? Sanding pads!
Harbor Freight had a little sander (http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68861-8493.html) on sale. $15, regularly $19. I been wanting one since I got the laser cutter. While there I got a finger sanding attachment (http://www.harborfreight.com/piece-multi-tool-finger-sanding-pad-and-paper-set-68964.html) for it. Lucky too as when I got home I found out the $15 tool doesn't have any head other than a cutter head, no triangle pad. Grrrr. Will have to head back and get the larger triangle head. While there I also got some sanding pads (http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-multi-tool-finger-sanding-sheet-assortment-for-wood-68968.html) for for the finger sanding head.
The thing is, I just wanted some 4x36 sanding belts 180-240 grit. All they have is 120 and down. 120 will destroy 1/8 ply. I didn't get what I actually went there for. Hmph.
While standing there looking at the triangle sanding pads, I noted they seemed a bit expensive and sadly and stupidly they don't have fine grits only 120 and down in packs or combo packs that had only a few of the finer grits that I actually wanted. Hello? Tiny sander, fine grit for corner finishing, I am not gonna be grinding rust off a pickup with a 2" pad. Seriously. So I see some round disks (velcro backed) and then I spy some 16x2-3/4 sanding strips (http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-16-in-x-2-34-in-grit-aluminum-oxide-sanding-sheets-69588.html) with velcro backing.
Then I had a flux capacitor moment. Hey, I got a laser cutter, why can't I cut my own? So I grabbed a box of the strips too. I figured if it doesn't work I am only out $2.50 and I can still use em with a sanding block so it wouldn't be a total loss. But it wasn't :)
Works out well. VERY well...here is the math..
68968: 9pc Finger sanding pads
3ea of 60, 120 and 240 grit. I will never use the 60, too course. 120 maybe, but all I really want is the 240.
So, 3 needed, 3 iffy, total of 6 usable pads: $3.79/ Works out to $0.63 for each pad. Hmm.
69588: 5pc Sanding Sheets
1 60grit, 2ea 320 and 500
Again, 60 is a throw away, but the 320 definitely I can use and maybe the 500 for finishing.
So, 4 sheets: $2.49, $0.62 a sheet and they are WAY bigger. Liking this already.
294650
A bit of time perfecting the shape and I can get 15 pads per strip. So from a $0.62 sheet I can cut 15 pads making each one $0.04 each. Hey, 4 cents is WAY better than 63 cents per isn't it? Takes under a minute to cut 15.
Here is a finished set beside the new package and the tool head.
294645
I will be on the hunt for other grits, specifically 180-220. Got the 320-500 covered now :)
Here is the Corel Draw file:
SandingPad.zip (http://www.wolfiesden.com/public/laser/SandingPad.zip)
It has the photo of the pad I used to trace, a master single vector object and 15 laid out for the above mentioned strips. You can export just the single one to your laser if you wish or do the whole strip at once.
On my ebay 50w chinese laser: 40mm/s @ 30% power cut. I think I could cut the power and boost the speed but I wanted to make sure I went through on on pass. Cut from the velcro side as I suspect the grit will likely just scatter the laser ins instead of cutting cleanly..
Then, I found this!
Hook & Loop 2-3/4"W x 27-1/2 Yds Long Abrasive Sandpaper Rolls (http://www.tptools.com/Hook-and-Loop-2-3and4-W-x-27-1and2-Yds-Long-Abrasive-Sandpaper-Rolls,7870.html?b=d*13635)
Yipes! 220grit is $22.95. But wait..
27.5 yd is 82.5ft. And thats 990 inches. Lesse, that works out to just over 61 of those 16" sheets. $22.95/61 $0.38 a sheet :) and 15 pads per sheet is 2.5c per pad. Nice. No, I am not ordering $23 of sandpaper for a $15 sander. Yet. But I may. Right now, $2.49 a whack is palatable.