Official Luthiers Forum!

And of so, would I be able to buy a few high grit disks to try so I don’t have to buy a whole box?

Ed,
I think I only have 1 left ... a P4000 grit. I'm currently using the Abralon for buffing frets. As you know, finishing is a system and you want to find what gives you good results in the quickest amount of time.

The Abralon wouldn't be good for leveling as it is too flexible but I think it would work well for the subsequent sanding steps. It gives a nice, homogenous surface and I've always thought that it would be a good material to finish up with if I ever did a satin finish.

I've tried a number of different sanding systems before settling on the Kovax papers/system but they are very expensive. What are you current sanding steps and what kind of coating are you using ... and what kind of final finish are you going for?

I was hoping to level with Abralon but wondered about it’s ability to level, or any Velcro backed pad to level for that matter. I’m more accustomed to harder backed stick on discs, but I’d prefer not to resurrect the Dynabrade and compressor.

I’ve never heard of Kovax but I’ll check it out.

My current sanding steps vary as I’m trying out different finishes at the moment. Mostly it’s wet sanding with 3M but I would really like to find a dry system with the ROS. Specifically I’m trying out a UV polymer that can be wiped on very thin, and relatively flat, so I’m hoping that an ROS with 12 or 15 hundred will do the trick, but I don’t want to commit to a whole box of ‘maybe this will work’.

The finish I’m going for is flawless gloss below .003…

Assilex is a great finishing paper and the hook and look is fine but when finishing use a pad
On Dry I use Klingspore hook and look and you can do that dry
I use 600 to 2000 with them

far better than micro mess

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I know others level sand with a ROS but I prefer block sanding for the initial leveling process. Kovax (they make Assilex, Tolecut, Buflex) is probably the best stuff on the market - a lot of automotive folks swear by it and their whole system is about dry sanding. You can use it wet too but the dry sanding is incredibly useful for the initial level sanding.

Eagle Abrasives carries the Kovax stuff but you can also buy direct from mfg on eBay.

https://eagleabrasives.com/en/info/assilex

I do my finish sanding all by hand because I'm going for 3mil or under. I feel like I don't have much room for error, especially around edges and whatnot. If you feel comfortable with an ROS, then switch to that after you do the leveling and get everything flat. If you had a thicker finish, then you could just use an ROS from the beginning.

Currently, I use their Assilex K-800 for level sanding .. then the k-1200, and switch to the Buflex 2000 and 3000. That gives you a pretty amazing surface ready for buffing.

What do you use for the backing?

Ed, when you say a whole box, what size box of disks have you been looking at? I'm wondering if you've seen that they can be bought in 5-packs, the 6-inch diameter ones at least.

_________________
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

I just went to the local store, they only had 10 packs at 45$ each, and only in 6”. I’ve got a 5” sander…

Thanks for all the alternate info folks, I’ll check it out…

Ed, does this help you? If so PM me your address and it’s yours.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

That would be a start!

Cool, will send it tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

Much appreciated!

This is what I use and this particular pack is a great way to try it out... though I don't use the interface pad. Too soft. I use a hard disk on a 6" Festool ROS.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZP ... UTF8&psc=1

Once I get to the top end of these grits, I go to a buffing pad with this stuff on a Festool Rotex for the final.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O ... UTF8&psc=1

That’s what has mine wondering. Is a hook and loop pad firm enough to level sand? My Dynabrade has stick on discs on a much harder pad, but, I don’t really have an appropriate compressor to run it…

I've not had ideal results with even a hard pad on my festool, in terms of level sanding the finish. The surface isn't bad, but especially on the top, where the wood tends to be softer and thin, the surface just doesn't get as level as I'd like it.

I moved to festool for sanding and buffing due to arthritic hands and wrists that made block sanding and a traditional buffing wheel nearly unrealistic. I can do the jobs in a fraction of the time now, but I'll probably go back to the block for leveling the top after the finish is built up. The rotex and buffing compound is here to stay. I use both tools with a vacuum vice and it's dramatically faster and easier. Now, if I can find a way to get rid of a card scraper for the sides...

I have a friend who dry levels with a brand called Assilex … he uses a 3” pneumatic Mirka finishing sander …. I haven’t used it personally but he gets good results


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk