Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Sanding Problem
Jim Rutten
>I have a piece of figured maple on my lathe and am trying to sand the outside profile. After shaping the piece I started with 100 grit Norton 3x sand paper, which was fine, then 120,then 150. At 150 a scratch started showing up, so I went back down to 120 with no luck. I then went back to 100 and still the scratch is there. I don't know what to make of this. Anyone else care to take a shot?
Re: Sanding Problem
Wally Dickerman in Arizona
>If you can't get rid of the scratch with 120, I suggest that you do a a little careful shear scraping in that area and start over with the sanding. If you have a little tool mark lump on the wood it sands away easily, but it's a deep scratch you have to remove all of the surrounding wood to get rid of it.
Wally
Re: Sanding Problem
Jim Rutten
>Thanks, Wally
Re: Sanding Problem
ckap
>Jim,
A technique that works really well for me is to take a sharp skew and use it lightly across the profile like you would a scraper. It seems to leave a much smoother surface than a scraper.
(could be I just don't know how to use a scraper also)
Keep it flat on the rest and try to use the middle portion. Watch the leading point because it can dig in if your not paying attention. Even if the leading point does start to cut usually it won't catch...it just adds some detail where you might not have wanted it :) Working "downhill" seems to help also.
Good Luck
Chris
Re: Sanding Problem
Jim Rutten
>Thanks, Chris, I'll try it.
