Which type of Sander for internal Woodwork?

Alistairr

Alistairr

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Hi all,

We have an old Moody that needs a bit of internal freshening up.

For the woodwork, what type of electric sander is best, I have 2 circular sanders, but fear they may leave fine circular marks in the sanded woodwork.

What type of electrical sander is best for sanding back the wood prior to varnishing?

Regards to all,

Alistairr.
 
Initially I would use a random orbital or a cabinet scrapper. Currently I am removing all the original lacquer from my Westerly Fulmar interior. I am pretty certain that Moody used a lacquer similar to the one used by Westerly. I am using the same lacquer. https://www.morrells.co.uk/products...0-low-odour-high-build-acid-catalyst-lacquer/ Westerly used a 30% sheen. 5 litres with thinners cost about £60 and is sufficient for my woodwork. Check on the Moody owners forum that i am correct that Moody used a lacquer, not a varnish.

On Wednesday evening I am making a Zoom presentation to Westerly Owners on refinishing woodwork. The PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the Westerly Wiki by the end of the week and I will post the link for YBW forum to view.
 
Concerto said:
Initially I would use a random orbital or a cabinet scrapper.
Click to expand...
+1
And I would try to avoid sanding in favour of scraping wherever possible, as the veneer face is often so thin it’s easy to blast through.

Where sanding is required, going for the finest grit and a slow speed (with random orbital of course) will help.

The pics I’ve seen so far of @Concerto’s re-finishing look great - so can’t go far wrong with his method ??
 
Depends if you are removing all the old finish or just flatting down to add another coat. If the former then use either a hot air gun or a chemical stripper and scraper. would not use a power sander at all except maybe a detail one to get into awkward corners. sand by hand but go gently as veneers can be thin.
 
Concerto said:
Initially I would use a random orbital or a cabinet scrapper. Currently I am removing all the original lacquer from my Westerly Fulmar interior. I am pretty certain that Moody used a lacquer similar to the one used by Westerly.
Click to expand...

I don't know whether Moody used varnish or lacquer but everything is stained underneath so, as you say, my preference would be either very light sanding or cabinet scraper to avoid going through the stain to bare wood. Veneers are very thin, around 0.6mm.
 
Whatever you do, don't overdo it - I've gone through the veneer with overenthusiastic sanding before. As long as the finish is intact, all you need to do is roughen it to provide a key. If it's cracked, I'd use a chemical stripper, followed by a wood bleach to get rid of any blackness

As for tools, I'd want two; a random orbital for large areas, and a multitool with a triangular sanding attachment for the awkward bits. The random orbital could be a cheap and cheerful, as long as you can replace the velcro pad (they wear), but it's worth putting the money into the multitool. I got a cheap one first and took it back because it was little more than a toy. The Bosch that replaced it has become one of those tools I didn't know I couldn't live without until I had one
 
Alistairr said:
Would I be right in thinking, this is the type of scraper I need?
Harris Heavy Duty Tungsten Carbide Wood Scraper 2
Click to expand...
Yup that’s the one. The blades last a long time - which can also make it worthwhile rounding the sharp corners off with a grinder, so they’re less inclined to score the surface.

I wouldn’t go coarser than 120 for sanding veneers, but some might disagree.
 
Just realised I forgot to add the link to the PowerPoint presentation on woodwork refinishing. I did post this as a new thread, but it would be useful for people searching this subject at a later date.
https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/images/2/25/Interior_Woodwork_Concerto_PowerPoint.pdf

Since making the above document, I have started a slightly different method to remove the old lacquer. I found a slightly faster method was a 2" chisel used as a scraper, but ground on a small sharpening wheel and not removing the back burr. This is the grinder I used, but with some modification with some electrical tape to take out some excess movement of the sliding support for the chisel. Great little machine for accurate grinding.
Multi Use Knife Sharpener Machine Scissor Drill Bits Chisels Grinding Tools 65W | eBay

Alistairr said:
Would I be right in thinking, this is the type of scraper I need?
Harris Heavy Duty Tungsten Carbide Wood Scraper 2

What grade of sand paper would you recommend?
Click to expand...

This type of scrapper is fine for general paint removal, but not for a veneer surface that you want to relacquer. They tend to leave scratches from the corners of the scraper as you do not have the same control as a cabinet scraper.

Once the lacquer is removed, then sand by hand with the grain using 180 grade, for plywood do this on a sanding block. The most important thing to watch is the colour of the dust being created. Whilst cream in colour you have no problem but as soon as it goes wood colour STOP sanding as you are removing the veneer.
 
Skarsten scrapers are very good, if sharpened properly; which you do with a file. They are not made anymore but they are always coming up on eBay
 
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