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Another sanding question

Hi, This is a flat wood question, but I know there are enough knowledgeable people here to get a good answer. SWMBO has a hutch base that is to be refinished. ( I expect to display some turnings in the completed hutch.)

I took the existing finish (varnish or poly) off the top with a 1/2 sheet, dual action pad sander, but it took hours. The wood is combinations of solid oak and oak veneer plywood. I'm now thinking about using a belt sander for the removal of the finish on the ends and front. The big question is whether or not a belt sander is advisable on veneer, or is the problem of cutting through to base plywood too big a probability? What grit belt wouold you start with on veneer? The belts I have here now are 80, 120,

150, and 220. All opinions appreciated.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

Reply to
Ken Moon
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Hi Ken

If its worth doing, use stripper and scrapers carefully, yes it takes longer but you will have a much better end result, IMO and experience (the little hard way learned I have on this). Here's a link to some stuff that might be what you want.

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Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Reply to
l.vanderloo

Ken,

I'm with Leo. Use stripper or paint remover. It works well and just requires the patience to let it do its work. I'd be concerned about the belt sander either going through the veneer or leaving deep scratches in it. Good luck!

Reply to
Harry Pye

No belts. They'll make a mess of the paint as they heat it into the veneer then remove the veneer altogether.

If you can do cabinet scrapers, that would be my first choice. Great on flat surfaces, but not confined insides and carvings. If you've got a lot of those inconveniences, you'll have to go to the strippers. Now a warning on them. Some of the older glues won't tolerate water-based strips, and methyl chloride varieties are dangerous to humans. Take your choice based on ventilation.

I'd rather build furniture than refinish it. Did that when we were fresh married, and vowed never again after the fourth piece. Think I only did two or three after that.

Reply to
George

You really don't want to use a belt sander on a veneer table top. Once you sand through the veneer, you can't put it back. Use stripper to remove the finish instead of sanding it away. Once all the old finish has been stripped away, you can sand lightly and refinish.

Barry

Reply to
Barry N. Turner

If you use a belt sander you'd better hope that there is some nice wood under the veneer 'cause that's what will end up on top. damhikt

Tom

Reply to
Tom Storey

On a positive note, and good card scraper or an old, well tuned Stanley #80 cabinet scraper is a joy to use on flat surfaces. Yes, you have to renew the edge, but the results....Zowie.

I agree, the belt sander is using a sledge hammer where you need the finesse of a tack hammer.

Walt C

Reply to
Walt Cheever

Ken... I'd say that unless you're VERY good with a belt sander, follow the guy's advice on stripping and sanding... In my experience, a belt sander is a noisy little device that was designed to destroy nice wood and should never be used as a hand-held tool...

I use my 48" belt sander for a lot of roughing on flat work, but would never use it to remove finish, even with a fence... YMWV

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Reply to
mac davis

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