Air sanding, info needed if you please?

I

imported_Picus

New member
Hey folks - so I've been doing quite a number of orange peel removal jobs lately, full sand 1500/2000/3000 grit, you know the deal. Thing is, I've been doing them by hand with a block. The results have been very good, but I know I'm wasting a lot of time sanding by hand. So, I am going to grab an air sander. I have a compressor, I'm just looking for opinions on air sanders. Mirka, Airvantage, Dynabrade? Any suggestions on type & amount of paper to get? I'm guessing most of you will recommend Abralon 2000 and 4000, how long do you guys find the pads last?



Of course I have to find this stuff in Canada, which will probably be impossible...



:D



Thanks.
 
Picus said:
Of course I have to find this stuff in Canada, which will probably be impossible...



:D



Thanks.
Click to expand...



LOL! Let's do some shopping together, I'm looking for an air sander too!
 
3m makes a wet sanding kit that when the black dust is gone it is sanded evenly with hand or air sander great system
 
Disclaimer: I've never used an air sander.



That being said, I see decent marks for the Hutchins waterbug. It isn't cheap, but it's supposed to pretty good.



Hutchins HUT7544 Waterbug III Random Orbit Air Sander - Toolfetch.com



National Detroit is a very highly regarded brand. They have a large line of sanders.



Welcome to National Detroit...The Sanders that Set the Standards!



What type of compressor do you have? Air sanders are hogs. They require a lot of CFM to work properly. Next to sandblasting, it's the most air intensive tool there is.
 
Here is the 6" airvantage sander that I have.



Just make sure that you get a 3/32 throw.



3M trizact:



P1500 02069

P3000 02075



Suggested backup pad PN05251 and PN05277 soft interface pad.
 
This is just the info I was looking for, thanks guys.



Togorashi said:
Disclaimer: I've never used an air sander.



That being said, I see decent marks for the Hutchins waterbug. It isn't cheap, but it's supposed to pretty good.



Hutchins HUT7544 Waterbug III Random Orbit Air Sander - Toolfetch.com



National Detroit is a very highly regarded brand. They have a large line of sanders.



Welcome to National Detroit...The Sanders that Set the Standards!



What type of compressor do you have? Air sanders are hogs. They require a lot of CFM to work properly. Next to sandblasting, it's the most air intensive tool there is.
Click to expand...



I think my compressor is ok, it'll do 9cfm at 90psi, 8 gallon.



gmblack3a said:
Here is the 6" airvantage sander that I have.



Just make sure that you get a 3/32 throw.



3M trizact:



P1500 02069

P3000 02075



Suggested backup pad PN05251 and PN05277 soft interface pad.
Click to expand...



Thanks Bryan. I was looking at that site actually. If they ship to Canada maybe I will go that route.



Kaval - are you after the same sort of stuff I am, air sander/backup plates/sanding discs? I'll probably grab 3m 1000, 1500, and 3000 and maybe some abralon 4000.



Bryan - how long does a pad generally last you?
 
Picus



First of all no problems getting any of this in Canada(at least not in Quebec), just check out you local autobody supply shop(we purchace from Sherwin Williams, but NAPA and Car Quest also carry the products, as well as many independents).



Second you will kill your compressor for sure using a sander, also there are alternatives. You can get a random orbital sander designed for woodworking, they have the same movement, the same power, and the same ability. The big difference is power consumption, with the electric unit it will consume about 2.5 amps at 110 volts, while to run the same tool on air will consume 10-15 amps at 220v(depends on your compressors rating).



The reason air tolls are used in body shops is not for there efficency or ease of use(a hose is alot less maliable than a power cord) it's because of the spark potential of an electric tool, combined with the various flamable vapours floating around a body shop(less today than 20 years ago)



We use random orbital sanders in all or our shops for that purpose, and they work quite well.



One additional option for the abrasive is abranet soft(mirka) compaired to abralon it cuts faster, same price range.
 
reparebrise said:
Picus



First of all no problems getting any of this in Canada(at least not in Quebec), just check out you local autobody supply shop(we purchace from Sherwin Williams, but NAPA and Car Quest also carry the products, as well as many independents).



Second you will kill your compressor for sure using a sander, also there are alternatives. You can get a random orbital sander designed for woodworking, they have the same movement, the same power, and the same ability. The big difference is power consumption, with the electric unit it will consume about 2.5 amps at 110 volts, while to run the same tool on air will consume 10-15 amps at 220v(depends on your compressors rating).



The reason air tolls are used in body shops is not for there efficency or ease of use(a hose is alot less maliable than a power cord) it's because of the spark potential of an electric tool, combined with the various flamable vapours floating around a body shop(less today than 20 years ago)



We use random orbital sanders in all or our shops for that purpose, and they work quite well.



One additional option for the abrasive is abranet soft(mirka) compaired to abralon it cuts faster, same price range.
Click to expand...



Yvan, Which elect ROBs do you use? If I can find an elect model with a 3/32 throw, I am very interested.
 
As an example the makita BO5010k has a 1/8 throw, the Bosch 1250devs is another great tool, but much more expensive. Another option that many have in there collection is the PC or UDM.
 
reparebrise said:
Picus



First of all no problems getting any of this in Canada(at least not in Quebec), just check out you local autobody supply shop(we purchace from Sherwin Williams, but NAPA and Car Quest also carry the products, as well as many independents).



Second you will kill your compressor for sure using a sander, also there are alternatives. You can get a random orbital sander designed for woodworking, they have the same movement, the same power, and the same ability. The big difference is power consumption, with the electric unit it will consume about 2.5 amps at 110 volts, while to run the same tool on air will consume 10-15 amps at 220v(depends on your compressors rating).



The reason air tolls are used in body shops is not for there efficency or ease of use(a hose is alot less maliable than a power cord) it's because of the spark potential of an electric tool, combined with the various flamable vapours floating around a body shop(less today than 20 years ago)



We use random orbital sanders in all or our shops for that purpose, and they work quite well.



One additional option for the abrasive is abranet soft(mirka) compaired to abralon it cuts faster, same price range.
Click to expand...



Great info, thanks. I know a 3/32 through is generally thought of as adequate throw for one of these machines. Wouldn't 1/8th be kind of a long throw and perhaps create unwanted marring? I might be confused on that though, haha. If there is a similar electric tool to something like the airvantage Bryan linked I am definitely interested.



On the compressor thing - I'd like to pursue electric but do you really think an air sander would kill my compressor? Most of the posts I've read indicate that 8cfm @ 90 psi is more than enough.



gmblack3a said:
Depends on how hard the CC is and how deep the defects are.



1-2 1500 trizact pads on the hood of a 08 vette.
Click to expand...



That's about what I expected, thanks.
 
I have had good results with both air and electric sanders. You can easily use a porter cable but I would highly recommend using a soft interface between your paper and backing plate to avoid any excess marring and gouging. A 3M rep actually used a porter cable to do all his demonstrations at a seminar I attended years ago.
 
I'd be interested to hear an electric ROB that has a small throw like the AirVantage. I'm preparing myself for the situations in which I'll be doing a lot of wet sanding as well.
 
Picus



I think my compressor is ok, it'll do 9cfm at 90psi, 8 gallon.



When looking at your compressors capacity you must take into consideration it's duty cycle as well. Yes your comp can give you 9 cfm, but not continualy, the general rule of thumb is to have a compressor that doubles the cfm requirement of your tool. For things like nailers, impact wrenches it's not so big a deal, but with sanders and paint guns it is. Your sander will be running non stop for at least a few mins at a time, if you have a 9cfm tool and a 9 cfm compressor, your compressor will not be happy. The makita is a good tool and being that you are Canadian(as are most of the posters on this thread!) you can also consider the Mastercraft unit from Canadian Tire, less expensive, and works quite well for the price, and they have a wonderfull warrenty policy for professionals(no waiting for a reapir, instant replacement).
 
I checked out the Mastercraft on CT's site, but didn't see the throw listed. I was going to check it out today. Thanks again for the info. I'm also going to run by carquest and see what they have in the way of discs.
 
Picus said:
No luck at Carquest - I think they thought I was an alien. Oh well, they only have 80-1000 grit. The search continues.
Click to expand...



I know what you mean. My guy at NAPA gave me the oddest look when I referred to the Makita as a rotary. :lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top