New life in an old friend

[wiwoodsguy]

I am not talking here about a person but sandpaper. This past weekend I cut the giraffe trio and as I did not have a proper size blade I used a #9 mach series that I have had laying around. I figured I would have to do some sanding to smooth the edges. I had on hand some sanding strips with plastic pins on the end made for use in the scrollsaw which I had to use on my Ryobi. I had 2- 1/4" and a pack of
4- 1/2" which I thought would be enough. I almost made it thru 1/4 of my sanding chores and the last one snapped. I was going to go get some more but realized it was 6:30 pm Sunday and the stores were closed. Then I had to think what I could do?(ouch) I got to thinking and decided to take out my old freind. I have drum thickness sander that uses 3" cloth backed sanding belts. And I have a good friendship going on with them! When they wear out I pull them off the sander and replace them. The thing is they are never worn the whole 3' so I save them to do hand sand ect. I took a piece and cut it to 5" then cut a 1/4" wide strip off that. I then went to the Dewalt and put this on figuring the worst that could happen is that it could affect my set screws. I don't think it hurt anything but I gotta say it worked so much better and about 10 time as long as the store bought ones. what I was really impressed about was the way the sandpaper curled on and inside cut. Because the store bought ones are attached to a quarter or half inch plastic they are riget and do not turn tight. Because I set it in the blade holding set screws they turn pretty much the radius of what ever is holding it. I just gotta say I was floored by how much longer it lasted. I used 6 store bought ones and 2 that I cut from scap, and the first one did not snap. I switched it because it was quite worn. Give it a try mabe you got a belt sander belt that you retired, give it new life.

[wood-n-things]

Great idea. I also use emory boards..They are inexpensive and work quite well./

[Mick Walker]

I used to make my own sanding strips. Cut a piece of emory cloth 5" long and 1/2" wide, fold it in half lengthwise. Clamp it in the saw. The blades I use now cut smoother than the emory cloth sanders.

[ncsealeveler]

thanks for the tip.Tony