The sanding disc or sandpaper is an undeniable part of woodworking or carpentry jobs. There are many occasions when you might need a new piece of sandpaper or disc for your sander.
Choosing the right disc for your sander is very important. It can be a little confusing with all the different kinds of sanding discs available on the market.
It is recommended to spend more on sanding discs. Going for the cheaper discs will save you money but, you won’t get the exact finish you want for your project.
But there is also another way to get that smooth finish in your project without having to spend money on buying a whole new pack!
In this article, we will talk about a sanding disc, the types of sanding discs, & how to reuse them, which should help make things a little clearer!
What is a sanding disc?
A sanding disc also known as sandpaper is a type of round paper or cloth with abrasive material stuck to it.
Sanding discs are perfect for sanding flat surfaces and removing paint, varnish, or other coatings from the areas of wood you want to resurface.
They can be used wet or dry depending on the surface you’re working with. The abrasive material in these discs is usually silicon carbide grit which is one of the toughest materials that can be found in sandpaper.
The most common types of sandpaper are coarse, medium, and fine grits but there are also options for extra-coarse and ultra-fine grades as well. Sanding discs vary in size according to how much material they will remove per pass – larger sizes mean fewer passes needed to get your desired result.
Types of Sanding Disc
There are mainly two types of sanding discs.
1.Adhesive-backed disc
Adhesive-backed sanding discs are attached to the sander with glue on the back. They are easy to use & easy to change. Still, they are being used less frequently as hoop & loop disc provides more advantage.
2.Hook & Loop disc
These are very similar to velcro. Hook & loop are more popular nowadays & they’ve replaced adhesive-backed discs. Although they are a bit expensive than the other sanding discs. But the price is worth it. They provide several advantages over the older sandpapers. These are easy to change, flexible, sustainable.
Type of Sanding Grits
1.Coarse Grit
Coarse grit is normally used at the beginning of a project to remove a large amount of material.
2.Fine Grit.
Fine grits give a smooth finish to the project. It is also used on sanding the edges of a surface.
You need to use several sanding discs to finish your project. Start with coarse grit and work your way up to finer grit for a smooth finish. Generally, 40 to 60 coarse grit is good to be started with. Use finer grits like 200 to 220 to leave a smooth finish.
You can reuse a disc several times. After finishing your project, put off the disc, keep it in a secured place & use it again when needed.
How to Reuse a Sanding Disc?
Are you trying to lessen your expenses? or are you on a strict budget?
Then reusing your materials is one of the best ways to save your money. This will be beneficial for you financially and will help you use your material to its full potential. Also reusing/reducing waste material is also beneficial for the environment. Also, you can make one for yourself at home.
So the first question that comes to mind when you buy a sanding disc is, can sandpaper be reused? And the answer is Yes.
Sanding Disc can be reused several times. It also depends on the sandpaper quality that how many times you can use it. But still, after getting tattered or being stuffed with wood debris, sanding discs can be reused. Buying a new disc for every project is going to cost you a lot. Also, it is completely unnecessary.
In this article, I will explain how to reuse used orbital sanding discs as a hand sander. The following methods are also applicable to almost any kind of sanding disc.
Step 1: Clean the sandpaper
After several usages, sandpaper gets stuffed with wood debris, which makes it unable to do any more sanding. So the first thing you need to do is to clean your disc. Soak the disc in water for a couple of hours and then gently clean it with a brush. After that, let it dry in the sun for a while.
Now the disc looks almost like a new one right? Now you can use the disc as a hand sander. For that, you need to do the following steps:
Step 2:Trace your Disc in a Fibreboard
For using a disc as a hand sander you need something in which you can stick your sanding disc. And a scrap piece of MDF(Medium-density fibreboard) is very suitable for that. you can also choose any sandpaper block if you want. just make sure that you’re comfortable with your hand sander.
Step 3: Give it a Shape as You Want
It depends on you whether you want to give your sandpaper any shape or not. As you are going to use the sandpaper as a hand sander, give any shape you like.
Step 4: Stick the Disc to the Board
Here comes the last step of this process. Now, stick your sandpaper with the board with CA glue. Before sticking, writing the grit on the upper side of the sandpaper is a great idea so that you can remember which grit are you using.
Check Out: How to use an orbital sander
Conclusion
By following the steps stated above, you can easily reuse used sandpaper. No matter if you’re on a strict budget or not, you should always look for ways to reduce, reuse, or recycle waste materials. This is a cool thing to do! Besides, it is also eco-friendly. Reusing sandpaper or any other kind of material will save you some money & time.
FAQ
How long do sanding discs last?
There is no fixed time for how long a disc will last. You have to know that if you can use a disc any further. Run your fingers over the disc, if it feels sharp then you are okay to use it.
How to clean the sanding disc?
You can use a gum eraser to clean the sanding disc. There are dedicated eraser sticks available for cleaning sandpaper. you can use them by placing them on the sandpaper while turning on the sander.
What is the sanding disc used for?
The most common use of a sanding disc is removing rough material from the wood surface & make it super smooth. It is also used on many power tools like grinders, sanders, etc. for sanding, polishing, grinding, stripping, or removing paint. It can also be used on different surfaces like glass, plastic, ceramic & wood surface.
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