paduk sanding

[randyrls]

I am starting turning a few paduk pens for Christmas. Never have done paduk before. I start with one pen and then duplicate the process. using my sanding disk to flatten the blank ends. I use one of the Rick Herrell offset sanders and not a pen mill. The disk immediately clogs and prevents me from sanding. I have started to use a steel wire brush to remove the clogs and then sand for 30 seconds before repeating the process. Is there any way to prevent the clogging of the sand paper disk? Never run into this before.

 

[SabertoothBunny]

Padauk is one of the more oily woods so it will clog your paper faster. Maybe try a mesh sand paper if possible because that can be cleaned up some. Regular sand paper will just have buildup from the dust and oils unfortunately.

 

[Mojave Green]

I use diablo sandnet. I get a lot of use out of them and if they clog, a could good flicks on the disc and the clog is clear.

 

[jttheclockman]

That is not uncommon. I run into that with alot of exotic woods like ebony. I start out with a lesser grit like 80 grit and work up to about 180. No need to start with 180. I use a different method than Ricks gadget. I like to move the sandpaper around on a flat disc. I use a standard pen transfer punch and use sticky back sand paper cut in small piece After it clogs I just stop lathe move the paper to a clean area and continue. Works well for me.

 

[NJturner]

I think that any oily wood you sand no matter the method will clog your paper quicker. I use a rubber sandpaper cleaning stick frequently on the paper to keep it going. I don't know that brushing the sandpaper with a wire brush is helping or hurting, whereas the rubber looks like its sort of vacuuming the paper off it gets so clean. Sample - https://www.amazon.com/Dura-Gold-Ab...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276309478343&psc=1

 

[KMCloonan]

I'm not sure how fast you are running the sanding disc. You may want to consider lowering the speed of the sanding disc, to reduce heat buildup. I find that if the wood/sandpaper gets hot, the wood creates almost a varnish on the sandpaper. A little slower and it seems that mostly sanding dust is generated instead. I typically run the sanding jig at about 800rpm for softer, less oily woods, but I reduce the speed to about 500rpm for oily woods like padauk and cocobolo.

 

[mChavez]

Surprised you're getting major issues with padauk. I've done a bit of work with it and do not remember any particular sanding issues, in fact, I thought it sanded quite well. Could it be you're really overheating it? Or could be just a very unfortunate blank.

The main problem I foresee with padauk is to do with huge pores - if you're using gorilla to glue it, don't be surprised if you see foam coming out of pores on the surface of the blank!

 

[randyrls]

The LARGE rubber sanding stick doesn't touch this stuck on concrete at all. The only thing that removes it is a steel wire brush. The sanding stick usually removes any stuck on crud, but not this time.

I will try to slow down the sanding. This may resolve the issue.

Off now to help out at the local food bank.....

 

[randyrls]

Well; Thank You to everyone for the good suggestions. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I spent the rest of the day yesterday handing out turkeys and chickens at our local food bank. Many of them donated by members of our church and church families. It is good to help others. I remember a mother and small boy who came to our food bank last year. They didn't have a permanent address, and the boy started to cry thinking they would not get any food. We gave them an emergency box that contains staples, Put them in touch with local resources and they now come and HELP OUT at the food bank and brought a turkey to help others in need. IF we all helped each other this would be a better world.

Now I need to care for my barking back. Turkeys are HEAVY!