Does this look like a decent sanding pad similar to the power pads?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4393373095&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
i don’t think that has any foam so that it’ll give the way a power pad does. don’t skimp on your sanding…it’s just BEGGING to screw up a perfectly shaped and glassed board. get a power pad or a ferro.
How do the Ferro pads compare to the Powerpads? I looked online at Ferro pads today and I’m thinking of picking up a few (from supersoft up to medium or firm). They’re a little less expensive than the powerpads, but do they hold up as well?
Also, who manufactures Powerpads? Are there any other distributors besides, Surfsource, Fiberglass Supply, and FoamEZ?
Thanks.
Josh
Ferro makes a quality product. but if cost is an issue, why not just make your own?!
Make own? What from and how? Always one to not spend money if I don’t have to.
Jase (MMM)
it’s just foam sandwiched between a piece of MDF and foam rubber. then i’ve got some felt on the other side of the MDF so that i can stick it to the Velcro on my sander and change out different densities easily. glued it all up with 3M #77 spray adhesive. also use the #77 to stick on the sand paper to the end of the foam rubber (that 3M stuff sticks very well, so using the rubber keeps it from tearing up the foam when it’s time to put on new sandpaper). anyhow, i’ll snap a pic for you a little later on in the evening.
i used a car washing sponge for the medium density and some pillow foam for the softer pad. total cost for both was less than $5.
Sounds easy enough so far, a picture would help also. Now, how do i make a sander/polisher out of egg boxes and a washing up liquid bottle? Answers on a postcard please!
Is there any way of using a grinder instead of a sander/polisher? I’m presuming that the fixed speed of 11,000 rpm is way too fast for this.
Cheers
Jase (MMM)
Howzit josh, You can’t just get by with the Ferro pads since they aren’t hard enough for some applications. If you order a Power pad call and ask them to turn it to make sure it’s not warped. I’ve gotten new ones that were wothless due to warpage, so I bring it to their attention when ordering. After a few months even the good ones warp a little and my guess is either it could have some thing to do with temperture changes or appling to much pressure when sanding. Just don’t drom them since that will really ruin them. When it come to Ferro pads they can and will rip the soft foam just from use and sanding glassed on fins is dicey since it’s to easy to hit the fin tip and tear the soft foam. But Ferros are nice for finish sanding and if you are careful they will last long enough to get your moneys worth which is about half the price of a power pad.Aloha,Kokua
"Is there any way of using a grinder instead of a sander/polisher? I’m presuming that the fixed speed of 11,000 rpm is way too fast for this. "
You can use a router speed control to slow the thing down - not quite as good as having the right machine, but not bad.
Hey Keith!
What is a router speed control? I’ll assume that it’s a bit of kit that goes between the supply source and the appliance. Both my routers are variable speed anyway so up til now have had no need for anything like this. Where might I find one of these things? DIY stores or is it more specialised?
Cheers
Jase (MMM)
Howzit Fatbas, They’re basically work like a model train set speed control which is a transformer. A lot of board builders use them.Aloha,Kokua
There’s a description and picture of one here, in the swaylopedia. Yes, your assumption is right, it’s basically just a rheostat (like a light dimmer) in a handy form:
http://www.swaylocks.com/swaylopedia/index.cgi?router_speed_control
A decent hardware store should carry them, or I’m sure you can find one on-line.
Nice one, I’ll look into it.
Jase (MMM)
kokua,
Many thanks for the heads up on warped pads! I just had ordered 2 power pads from fiberglasssupply to use on my very first board - they ship pretty quick & its too late to call them back. I’ll check them before I start sanding.
Howzitjhotal62, When you get the pads put them on your grider and turn the grinder so the pad is facing up and turn on the grinder to see if the pads have a wooble to them. If they wobble I'd call FH and ask if they would replace them, working with pads that wobble isn't fun and they will skip on the board surface which will make for some uneven sanding.Aloha,Kokua
Flexpad is the way to go. You can do a search for flexpad and find them.
Howzit soulstice, Do you use those pads? I like the fact they use plastic backing instead of metal and they even explain why. Another good feature is the free shipping.Aloha,Kokua
no, i make my own…but i think i might give these a shot once i wear through the current batch (or if my academic situation allows me to increase production a bit)