Arbotech Min Carver sanding discs

[Brian Finney]

Hi,

A UK woodturner trying carving needs help. Came across a piece of sycamore too big for my lathe and thought I would try carving a bowl. A big bowl (for a woodturner) 16in dia x 7in deep. Used a arbotech pro 4 on a grinder and all is going well. Just started to sand it using an Arbotech Mini carver with a 40 grit disc. The disc has gone blunt - tried cleaning it out but clogs quickly again.

Are there any tips for extending the life of the sanding disc? Can I stick my own sanding paper on it? Manufacturer will say no I am sure. Spindle speed is 18,000 revs/min so adhesive will need to be good.

How do others sand a carved bowl?

Brian Finney

[Donsexton]

Yes you can use your own sandpaper, cut them from heavy duty sanding belts I use a hole saw on my drill but you could use a sharp utility knife as well.

[Brian Finney]

Don,

Thanks for the response. My arbortech sanding discs have a plastic support; new sanding belt would need to be glued to this. OR are you saying fix HD sanding belt discs the same as the cutter is fixed ie with the hex nut and washer thro the centre and let the stiffness of the HD belt provide the support?

Brian

[Donsexton]

I dont glue mine to the backer but you could use contact cement if you wanted, but I dont think you need to do that. I do use heavy duty commercial sand paper my company uses big heavy belt sanders I just rip them apart and that is my sand paper.You can buy the same thing at the iron monger they use it to sand wood floors in your lovely country.

[Brian Finney]

Don,

Thanks for your help, off to try it.

Brian

[VesselMaker]

If you are sanding a bowl with an arbortech mini grinder, I would suggest that it's not the tool for the job.

Awkward for that, expensive (tough on belts), too fast, etc. They are handy, but not for sanding on something large.

Maybe I am misunderstanding.