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tool:thickness_sander [2019/02/05 22:35]
tool:thickness_sander [2019/06/19 20:52] (current)
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 Currently, seek Michael K. for training. Currently, seek Michael K. for training.
 +Some tips:
 +  * Watch some videos on Youtube about how to use a thickness sander
 +  * Start with a pass where you aren't sanding anything so that you know you aren't cutting too deep and progress it no more than a quarter turn each time.
 +  * Don't stand directly behind the piece similar to a planer or table saw
 +  * Before using, make sure the drum has the sandpaper securely attached and the sandpaper is clean, if the sandpaper isn't clean, use the crepe block.
 +  * Even if you are removing only a couple of mm, expect to take several passes. This isn't a lot of material, but at the same time, it is sandpaper.
 +  * Keep the belt feed slow enough that the machine isn't loaded down, but fast enough that you aren't burning the piece.
 +  * You should use *always* use the dust extractor. There'​s a 4" port on the top. Just like a planer, if you don't use a dust extractor on the thickness sander, it can create a bad situation. It would create a buildup of dust on the surface which can cause burning, clogging the sandpaper, and potentially even a kickback/​damage. Our mobile dust extractor works quite nicely with it; you'll actually find that the airborne dust is not as bad as you'd expect. Make sure the dust extractor bag is emptied so you get the most flow out of it though that being said, you are still making tiny dust particles, keep the shop door closed and like any sanding operation, wear eye and nose/mouth protection.
 +  * Also wear ear protection, the dust extractor+thickness sander are loud together.
 +  * Lastly, plug the dust extractor and thickness sander into different circuits the HP combined on each will exceed 15amps if one of them gets bogged down.
 +  * If sanding multiple pieces that should have the same thickness, make sure that you do both pieces one after the other on the same setting. That way you can be sure they will be a consistent thickness, and you don’t have to redo the entire calibration for the other pieces. In fact, you can feed them in together. You'll get most accurate if you feed them in at the same spot (one right after each other).
 +  * You  do want to vary up the feeding location slightly for each pass so you aren't dulling one spot on the paper though.
 +An alternative tool to consider is the planer.
 +For 3mm on the thickness sander, expect 20 passes or more; the thickness sander excels against the planer on thin pieces, so if the final dimension of your piece is pretty thin, it is better to use the sander over the planer. If you are worried about tearout on the knots, you can go thickness sander
 +Note that the above is not an exhaustive list.
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tool/thickness_sander.txt · Last modified: 2019/06/19 20:52 by colorcoded