SCROLLSAW703 Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 no doubt this subject has been discussed many times here, but curiosity has got the best of me. I do a lot of fine fretwork, delicate cuttings, etc. And I use all hardwood, rough cut lumber. I do most of my sanding after I get the wood planed to thickness. My question is what is a sanding mop, & would they benefit me? thanks for your help in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Personally, I do not use my sanding mops for fine fret work, but some do. I use my sanding mops on stand up puzzles and other pieces that don't have very delicate fret work. I use the sanding mop to clean up outside edges and slightly ease over sharp inside edges if I feel the piece needs it. Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Question 1, what is a sanding mop? Answer: https://youtu.be/1GGg9wg9si0 Question 2, would they benefit me? Answer: Probably not. It's a handy accessory to have on hand but I don't use it on fretwork. SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I too do not use a sanding mop but I think they could be very handy, especially for intarsia work. I have not purchased one because they seem way over priced to me. I did post a photo of one but I would refer you to the link that Dan posted above me a couple of minutes ago Dick heppnerguy SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCROLLSAW703 Posted January 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I appreciate the answers, gentlemen! I don't guess I need a sandin' mop. That's good! more money fer blades! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Brad, I do a lot of fretwork cutting, and I find that a detail sander is the best thing there is to sand them with. I've tried just about every type of sanding there is, and I keep coming back to the detail sander. With the triangular sanding pads you can get into lots of tight spots, and corners. I have never broken any of my fretwork with the detail sander, they do a great job. Leave the sanding mops where they are, you won't use them on delicate fretwork. Len SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Personally, I do not use my sanding mops for fine fret work, but some do. I use my sanding mops on stand up puzzles and other pieces that don't have very delicate fret work. I use the sanding mop to clean up outside edges and slightly ease over sharp inside edges if I feel the piece needs it. Like Dan I use sanding mops only on stand up puzzles. I would not use it on fret projects. I had one of the sanding strands get caught it a stand up puzzle part and away it went. (It went way under a bench) So you really need to be careful. I have found other uses for sanding mops around the shop so I am glad I bought them. Yes for good mops they are expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I use a 240 grit MAC mop on even my most delicate fret work (gently) with a backer behind it. It softens the edges and removes fuzzies. I buy the spindle mounted 2" wide one from Klingspore. With all mops you should break them in on a piece of hard wood and dust collection is a must! SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollerpete Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 I too do not use a sanding mop but I think they could be very handy, especially for intarsia work. I have not purchased one because they seem way over priced to me. I did post a photo of one but I would refer you to the link that Dan posted above me a couple of minutes ago I have 3 different grits of this sanding mop and I used them on everything that I cut. They work very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 A sanding mop does a great job of softening hard edges. It doesn't take long to figure out what you can and can't do - and learning how to "adjust". A sanding mop is great tool for all but the most delicate of fretwork - having said that there are a few rules that should be learned early (the easy way) rather than later (the hard way): use the drill press at its slowest speed a new mop needs to be broken in use of stabilizers on both sides of the mop provides for much greater control fretwork needs to be supported on the opposite side of the area being sanded. "gentle" is an operative word - pushing your work into the mop is an excellent way to watch it become airborne. very large pieces that can't be done on the drill press, or especially fine fretwork, is best done clamped flat to a work bench using the mop in a hand drill at slow speeds. Not sure how others cover their fretwork with a mop but I always make 4 slow passes over the piece - each in a different direction - this will get pretty much all of the edges regardless of the shape of the fretwork. I've attached a couple pictures of some of the more fragile fretwork I have done using a sanding mop to take the sharp edges off. Jay Karl S 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 My thanks to everyone that posted here as I learned a lot and will not eliminate the idea of considering the purchase of a sanding mop in my future Dick heppnerguy SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCROLLSAW703 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 thanks for the input fellas. I've been scrollin' 20+ years, & have always done my sanding, right up to finish sanding after I get done with planin'. Lately I've been readin' about sanding mops & just wondered about them, & what they were used for. I sincerely appreciate your voices. I gave up tryin' to post pictures on here, but if you're interested in havin' a look see at some of my work, you can go to my fb page Sawdust Haven. Thanks again guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) I use a 240 grit MAC mop on even my most delicate fret work (gently) with a backer behind it. It softens the edges and removes fuzzies. I buy the spindle mounted 2" wide one from Klingspore. With all mops you should break them in on a piece of hard wood and dust collection is a must! I think you and I use the same mop. I mounted mine on a drill motor and mounted the drill motor on a piece of plywood and clamped it in a vice. It works good. http://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/mm07204/ Edited January 27, 2017 by hawkeye10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I have one on my Sand Flee at all times I also have one mounted on a motor "my traveling mop". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweb Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 That looks like good old craftsman motor Rolf, when craftsman name meant something, RJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I have looked at sanding mops and they run between $25 and $50 per mop but the average is about $35. so I googled how to make a sanding mop and found 2 you tubes on the subject. The total cost would be about $20 for a 4 " by 5 1/2 " mop. It wouldn't cost me about $4 for the arbor since I have a roll of emery enough to last me a for the rest of my life, the video is worth watching .IKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonylumps Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) These https://www.amazon.com/STAR-SANDER-SHANK-Peachtree-Woodworking/dp/B000H5LXZO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1485532627&sr=8-6&keywords=sanding+mopsI got off of Amazon work better than the 40.00 Mops.I use them for evertthing 1/4" up. Cuts my sanding time way down.But I still can't find a couple of pieces that up and flew away. Edited January 27, 2017 by tonylumps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) That is a good deal. But since I hae this emery paper All it will cost me is the arbor but I probably can find a bolt that will work. I am retired and all I have is time and if I was working I would prably bu one. The emery paper will prable cost $10 to $15 , so you will prably have $15 in it. IKE Edited January 27, 2017 by ike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 i made my own and the one heppner guy has in the picture i sanded fret work with and never lost a piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munzieb Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I used to use my belt sander to clean up my cuttings but my new go to tool is a ball sander I got from Harbor Freight. ($9.99) It does a great job and I can rotate the piece to get all angles. No issue with fine cuttings, just watch the pressure you apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I used to use my belt sander to clean up my cuttings but my new go to tool is a ball sander I got from Harbor Freight. ($9.99) It does a great job and I can rotate the piece to get all angles. No issue with fine cuttings, just watch the pressure you apply. Bernd I have got one of those and I have been afraid to try it. Maybe I need to try it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munzieb Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 Don't be afraid. Just start with light pressure. It will works fine. It does throw off some of the ball material. Kind of like Scotch Bright. I think HF may also offers a smaller version of the ball. amazingkevin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted January 28, 2017 Report Share Posted January 28, 2017 I have one like Heppnerguy showed and I do use it on fret work. I have not had anything break yet. Like munzieb states, light pressure. Steve Good convinced me in one of his videos on the subject. I also "scrape" around fuzzy edges in fret work with a X-acto knife to remove fuzzes. Learned that from a Charles Dearing video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.