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Surfprep sander! We're talking airsanding moulding here, folks.

3/22/15       
Mel

Holy crap guys, this thing.

So I got it as a birthday present, and though I recognized that it was pretty cool when I opened the box, I am endlessly amazed at what it can do. A good chunk of my job involves sanding oddly shaped hard wood, by hand up to now.

Not only am I not devestating my arms anymore (hello popeye muscles) but the product is coming out immacualte, and even. No hand sand marks. Fast and good.

Anyone else using this? Or equivalent? Whole new world for me here, curious to see what anyone else is doing :)

3/22/15       #2: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

What tool/product are you talking about specifically?

We use foam backed hand sanding pads for finish sanding (sanding finish between coats).

3/22/15       #3: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mel

SurfPrep 3″ x 4″ Orbital Sander

https://mcfaddens.com/p-10412-surfprep-340001-3x4-inch-rectangular-rando
m-orbital-sander.aspx

You can fix one of those foamy pads to it and full on sand profiles and mouldings with it. Or get into corners. I've tried lots of different sanders and sanding products when i was refinishing antiques in my home shop. This thing blows the doors off anything else I've ever tried.

Pretty excited about it (probably means I need to get out more ;) ).

3/22/15       #4: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mike

I got sick a few weeks ago and work fell behind. I ordered a dynabug while I was down knowing the first thing I had to come back to was finishing close to 100 drawer boxes (i hate sanding inside corners). I used a 1/2" foam pad and mirka abranet with vacuum...definitely a better way to work.

3/23/15       #5: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
dustin orth

Website: http://customwoodmontrose.com

I have the small 3x4 SurfPrep and it works wonders for most things! I have the regular sheet paper for flat surfaces, thin dense foam pads, thin flexible foam and thick flexible foam pads. Depending on what you are trying to sand, these can save you a lot of time and aggravation. We have 6" air random orbit sanders for the large areas and use this small sanders for corners and details. A good investment in my opinion.

3/23/15       #6: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mel Member

Totally. Shop didn't buy it for me, it was a gift, but having used it, I'd buy it out of my own pocket anyday.

Really, who likes hand sanding for long periods of time? Or sandpaper marks?

So David, you use it to sand between coats? Our finishing dept definitely spends a lot of time hand sanding. I will tell them about it--any specifics I need to know about it? Or just plug and play?

3/24/15       #7: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
door shop guy

The square Surf Prep 3"x4" sander has been on my mind for a while now. Are you using the 1/2" thick Premium Red pads? Or another brand?How good is the durability of whatever pads you use? Would you say this is a good sander for just mainly moldings or is it good for cabinet doors too?? I mean can it really get into all the tight profiles of raised panels and door edges?

3/24/15       #8: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mel Member

I am using the 1/2 thick red pads--but disclaimer, I'm a big cheapo in some ways. I stick on our (way cheaper) round sticky sand paper pads to it to extend them. If you are sanding profiles, you are mostly using the center of the center of the pad, so it's quick and dirty, but defo works.

As for super tight corner-in-profile reach, it's actually pretty good. Not folded paper rammed in the corner good, but nice and consistent enough to make it even better then that type of sanding, IMO.

And yes, you can totally sand a door panel with it. Because lets face it, sometimes you have to do it, and I think it's the best option, though I recognize that that is never fun to do.

Simple thing--butting up to a corner. I can't think of any other way to efficiently do this.

3/24/15       #9: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

We don't use a power sander between coats, just a foam backed pad by hand. Really helps prevent burn through as well as promoting even use of the paper.

3/26/15       #10: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Adam West  Member

Website: http://www.surfprepsanding.com

David,

Watch the videos on our website. I'm the technician for SurfPrep. We burn through less than hand sanding on lots of different surfaces.

I personally like using 1/2" super flexible hand pads for cabinet door profiles and 5mm very fine on the 3x4 for flats. Best of both worlds.

3/27/15       #11: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mark Elliott Member

David,

Adam is right, he's not blowing smoke.

I have found the SurfPrep system to be great. My people would revolt if I ever removed it from the shop.

Regards,

Mark

3/28/15       #12: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mel Member

Just to be clear--is anyone using the sander on in-between coats for finishing?

3/28/15       #13: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mark Elliott Member

Yes, for sealer sanding if that's what you're asking.

Mark

3/31/15       #14: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
David Waldmann  Member

Website: vermonthardwoods.com

We are sanding small moulding, as small as 1/2" x 3/4". I just can't see keeping any kind of power sander flat enough (+/- .01* or so) to not burn through the edges. With just the pad you can feel and allow the weight of the pad and your hand keep it right.

We do have a profile sander that we could use for sanding between coats, but at this point we rarely do runs big enough to justify setting up for that.

But I would be willing to give it a try if you wanted to send me a demo unit.


View larger image

3/28/17       #16: Surfprep sander! We're talking airs ...
Mike Member

We use the 5mm Very Fine for sanding back sealer with the 3" x 4" RO, and hit the edges with the same pads by hand. You can just bend the pads to hit the edges without burning through the edges. Good stuff.


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