Official Luthiers Forum!

 I just bought a used Delta 18" sander. What grades of sand paper are commonly used for thicknessing tops, backs and sides? I don't want to invest in grades I won't use as it is pretty expensive. Any good sources of 2" wide sand paper to fit this thing? Thanks in advance for you help to a Newbee.

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com

and welcome too, green man.

 

I use 80 grit but whadaIknow?

Welcome.

I use 60 for bringing the harder woods to size then when they're within 1.5 mm of the desired thickness, I'll move to a higher grade like 120. I will sometime step up to 120 with 80 in between.

For the softer woods I will start with 80 and work up at times to 220.

I've also use 220 on harder wood with no problems.

I have found going slow and in small thickness increments wins the race with very little clogging of the sandpaper.

By the way, I have the same machine and I love it. It's a workhorse if treated well.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

I use 100 for everything except oily woods and they are done with 60.

My source for great paper.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I don't have a thickness sander, but Welcome anyway!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

You will use 120 the most but I also suggest you have 60 and 80 available for major removals.

I am lazy. I have Jet 10-20 and a Performax 16-32 amd I buy the pre packaeged ready to rap stuff.

On my Performax 16-32 I use:
80, 120, 220 and 320 cloth rolls.

I get them all quite cheap from

http://www.supergrit.com

 

Rick

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Rick Hubka
Chemainus BC Canada