Sanding Mops
This cost-saving alternative will let you clean up while you contour your fuselage.
Over the years I’ve bought sanding mops from various places. My favorite is Klingspor’s Woodworking shop. There is lots of information and a good video from them linked in the Resources section.
However, when I don’t have time to wait, or I need a specific grit, I make my own with cut sandpaper. Normally, I cut 2" x 6" cloth pieces. Takes about 25 minutes to make and mount 48 sheets. Normal cost would be around $30 + shipping.
I made a simple template from some scrap phenolic sheet I had. Marked and cut the slots and drilled a hole for the center. I get eight pieces from a 9" x 12" sheet.
Slit the cloth. I have a bunch of slightly used blades from cutting covering material — I change blades often when cutting covering material. I get about eight pieces before I toss the blade. You can also make a couple passes on a diamond hone, but blades are pretty cheap, so I don’t do that much anymore. Use a punch for the center hole.
I also use 2" roll cloth. This goes a bit faster.
The mandrel can be as simple as a bolt, couple of washers and a nut.
Alternate face up, face down with a half overlap.
You can use it either fixed on a drill press or using a handheld drill.
I often use several different grits on my long mandrel. I also use the sheet scrap on my Dremel.
I also have a simple sander/buffer made from worn out hook and loop discs. (I don’t like throwing much of anything away). I cut a round template from phenolic (you can use plastic, wood or whatever you have around for templates).
I also mount these face up face down.
I use this without buffing compound mostly for fine finish on wood, and a regular buffing wheel with compound when doing metal.
Good luck, please let me know if you have any questions and thanks for reading.
©2022 Tom Broeski
Resources
- Gold Sand Mop 2” x 6” 320 Grit, 48pk Refill of Flutter Sheets — From the Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop website: “Ask woodworkers from across the country and they will tell you that this is the very best contour sanding system on the market today…”
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