Is the grinder the tool used for sanding the hotcoat?
Thanks
Grinder sounds a little drastic, sander sounds better. You should be able to find sanding pads of various densities to go on your machine. When using, unless practiced, be careful.
A Grinder is a high speed tool used for grinding steel and other similar materials. For instance, a 7" grinder typically turns at 5-6,000 RPMs. Too fast for surfboard work, great for whittling the edge of a steel plate.
What you’re looking for is commonly called a Sander/Polisher , the 8" version of which typically turns around 1500-2500 RPM maximum, with a foam backing pad and so forth, as you’ll find discussed in great detail in the archives .
Shown: a Makita sander/polisher fitted with a foam pad. Hitachi and Milwaukee also make 'em
hope that’s of use
doc…
Yea… that’s it, they call them grinders, or grinder/polisher - I’m not sure, that might mean that’s it’s variable.
Get a power pad, and go light for the first few - until you burn through, then you’ll know what ‘too far’ is. I wouldn’t go below 80 grit either… grit numbering takes on a whole new meaning once you get automated.
You’ve answered another FUQ (Frequently UNasked Question), doc – what is the difference between a sander and a grinder?
Seems to me we need a collection of FUQ’s…
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You’ve answered another FUQ (Frequently UNasked Question), doc – what is the difference between a sander and a grinder?
Seems to me we need a collection of FUQ’s…
Now, there’s a line I wouldn’t touch with the proverbial ten foot noserider… beyond thinking that we are a collection of…
A good rule of thumb ( and specifically excepting random orbit, random orbital , oscillating and straight line sanders) might be;
If the diameter of the largest wheel it turns multiplied by the RPMS it turns at is over around 20,000, it’s a grinder. Equal to or under that, it’s a sander. Under 15,000 or so, it’s a polisher. If it’s variable speed with some range to it, it’s a combo machine. This kinda has to do with feed speeds and such, sorta.
For instance ( from , 4 1/2" wheel x 10,000 RPM ( fixed speed) , it’s a grinder. 7" wheel, 5500 RPM, grinder. 8" wheel, 2500 RPM - sander. 7" wheel, 2000 RPM, polisher.
OK, I stand corrected, I could have sworn they called that thing a grinder/polisher when I picked mine up. I remember being weary of that… hmmm, no matter.
On a related topic. Doc, I hope that’s not your Sander in the picture. Anybody care to point out whats wrong in the picture? Maybe I should say, I hope that’s not your Power Pad in the picture.
Howzit rKelly, If you’re referring to position of the grinder laying face down I think it’s just to show you the grinder. We all know you should never lay a grinder down like that, ruins the pad and always the possibility of the grinder turning on and going for a spin. Aloha, Kokua
Gah, no… with a Snap-On buffing pad fitted to a Makita? No, that was something I had snagged off eBay to illustrate, not something I own, but my cheezy digital camera ( whaddya expect for $19.95? ) died and I couldn’t get a shot of the Big Red Milwaukee Dust Maker reclining on its back in my power tool cabinet.
Just as well, took me a while to remember if I had it here or out on a job… had to look just now to make sure it was actually out there…
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We all know you should never lay a grinder down like that, ruins the pad and always the possibility of the grinder turning on and going for a spin. Aloha, Kokua
Nah, I know… in fact now that I look closer I don’t even thin that that pad is attached to the grinder. Just pointing out something for the fellow newbs.
Are there any good sanders on harbor freight. I saw a couple of cheap ones but I didn’t see any pads for them or anythig like that .
Thanks
That $25 Harbor Freight item has had some pretty good reviews from guys here, considering how inexpensive it is.
The backing pads you get someplace else like Fiberglass Supply or Fiberglass Hawaii ( and many other places ) or you can search the Archives for some excellent advice on how to make your own. I don’t know of a sander that comes equipped with a soft backing pad at any price.
hope that’s of use
doc…
How much do the backign pads run.
more than the sander.