Sanding discs

[Doug Ridley]

Okay Paul, I have been using these things for a good while now and they definitely last a LOT longer than the scotchbrite pads. However I would keep the pads 'cause I have found that I use both. The discs are pretty pricey but I have used one a lot and it shows little or no wear. They are probably worth the money for me. If you use different grits I would recommend getting a mandrel for each grit as the mandrels you have on hand I don't think will work. Hope this helps, Doug

[Kenny_S]

Doug, I have some old mandrels with a little washer and they do work on these sanding disk. However, I have found that I have to use a couple at a time to get the stifness I am looking for. Now it could be just me and probably is but,,,,,
I also use the scotchbrite pads also, I guess it is in what one is looking for.

[BobD]

I normally stack them four or five thick...

Bob

[Eddy-Smiles]

I may be sticking my nose in to a private discussion and only getting half the story but are you all referring to the new 3M disks that Foredom sells? I've been waiting to see if some one did a review on these. Although as you said, they're pricey, they do look and sound pretty good. From your comments it sounds like they are worth the money? Are they?

I quit using the Scotchbrite pads because it's been my experience that although they do a pretty good job removing fuzzies, the dye comes out of them and they stain the wood. I've ruined a few woodspirit canes using them.... red one time, green the next.... I didn't even bother trying the brown ones.

If I'm totally wet on this conversation I'll just quote Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live.... "Never Mind!"

[Doug Ridley]

Eddy, I tried them on Lynn's recommendation and I think they are pretty good. They are worth the money in my opinion, as they last a looong time compared to the Scotchbrite pads. I only use the brown Scotchbrite pads as they are more agressive and do not color the wood. In my work I have a use for both the discs and the pads.
Doug

[Paul_Guraedy]

Doug, thanks for the review. I recently got a chance to watch them in use and to do a short trial of my own. I will probably order some to use for light sanding; but, for me they will not replace the scotchbrite. But then, I use the scotchbrite only for removing fuzz and to clean out after burning.

I started out rounding the cuts I made from the pads, then found that they round themselves. Actually, I prefer them after use has feathered out the edge; they seem to work better at removing the fuzz and getting down into narrow areas.

I have been using them for quite a few years and the only drawback I have experienced is bearing down too hard or leaving a coarse one in place too long. They can remove detail. This seems to be especially true of the new disks.

I guess these things are like sandpaper...some like them some don't.

[bbeery]

I got my first order of 3M pads about 2 weeks ago. They work very well...but yes, they are rather expensive. You need to be carful mounting them on the mandrel. Make sure they are rotating in the right direction i.e. turning so that the screw tightens instead of loosening. Also the disks feathers are slanted to rotate in a certain direction. Turning against the feathers tears them up. I tore up a couple of brown ones yesterday when I was sanding between the legs of a caricature and the disk was hitting both legs at the same time. They do last, for the most part, much longer then scotchbrite pads.