Making your own Sanding Mops

[tgiro]

A couple of folks have PM'd me about a comment I made about sanding mops in another thread -- how do I make my own mops?

A few years ago, I read an article on Steve Goode's blog on making sand mops -- http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.co...-on-cheap.html

So, I ordered some Gold Flex sanding rolls from Klingspor and tried it. It worked great. But did I save any money? A little bit. At Klingspor, a 2" wide roll cost $15.95 and the mandrel cost $9.95 = $28.80.

A pack of 48 pre-cut strips cost $29.95, with the mandrell = $39.80.

But you have to consider the cost of drilling and cutting the strips. You will be cutting cloth backed sandpaper, so blades do not last very long. I use the FD-HD blades which cost about 50 cents each. It takes 6 - 7 blades to cut the fingers in the strips - add $3.50. The picture, below, shows what happens to blades after cutting 6 2" lines.

 

I lay 30 strips of sandpaper between to strips of plywood and tape them together really tight. Mark 2" in from each end and then mark 1/4" lines across each end for the strips.

You need to drill a 1/2" hole through the strips. You are drilling through sandpaper, so don't try that unless you have a method for sharpening drill bits. I use a Drill Doctor, but not everyone has something like that. You could cut the hole with a scroll saw.

To assemble the mop - take two cut strips back to back and push them onto the arbor. Two more strips back to back lay at a 90° angle to the first 2 strips. Two more strips at a 45° angle to the first four strips and two more at a 90° angle to the last two strips. Drop a 1/2" washer over the last two strips. Repeat that sequence until you have used all your strips

Drop a final 1/2" washer onto the arbor and bolt it all down. Tighten that bolt as tight as you can possible get it.

By making your own, you will get 60 strips out of a roll of sand paper, vice the 48 that comes in a pack. So, you will have a bit larger mop than a precut one.

A well used mop will last two or three years (at least mine do). Now that I only have to buy the sanding roll and blades I get away with a cost of $19.50 per mop - plus the time it takes to make it. Compared to the $29.95 for pre-cut strips, I save money. But, I'm a retired hobbyist. A production shop would have to reconsider time & materials.

Something to consider - save a little money by rolling your own.

Note - I get the sandpaper rolls and 1/2" arbors/mandrels from Klingspor

          Sandpaper rolls -  https://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/sr00881/ 

          1/2" mandrel - https://www.woodworkingshop.com/product/cl10012/

 

[Wilson142]

I'm looking into making my own also. I see Grainger has 150 ft rolls of 2" wide gold oxide cloth backed abrasive for around $40 and I want to cut on my band saw. I need to visit Grainger to check the grit because they only list fine, medium etc. instead of 180, 220 etc. I already have the mandrels.

Edited December 14, 2019 by Wilson142

[tgiro]

1 hour ago, Wilson142 said:

I'm looking into making my own also. I see Grainger has 150 ft rolls of 2" wide gold oxide cloth backed abrasive for around $40 and I want to cut on my band saw. I need to visit Grainger to check the grit because they only list fine, medium etc. instead of 180, 220 etc. I already have the mandrels.

Remember what I said about the blades. You're cutting sand paper. You need a wide gullet blade that you are willing to throw away after cutting the strips.

[Wilson142]

I have 34 yrs experience cutting everything from 10" bearing bronze to 8" thick aluminum plate with band saws, plate saws, doalls etc. Sandpaper "is" a different animal but, I believe there are blades that will handle it. I'll post if I ever get around to trying it.

[Foxfold]

OMG,  I must be a cheapskate, I use these on my fretwork 

Edited December 14, 2019 by Foxfold

[Sycamore67]

I have made some exactly the same way and you are correct.  you only save money it you do not count all your time.  I made 4-5 and then just buy them.

Edited December 15, 2019 by Sycamore67

[Gonzo]

Thanks Tgiro!

Edited December 15, 2019 by Gonzo

[amazingkevin]

I make my own too but buy dremil ones for fine work!

[Wilson142]

I talked to a guy who makes his own RO sanding disks. He uses a Harbor Freight hole punch to punch 1/2" holes in stacked sandpaper. ($8) and a pair of tin snips to cut his circles. (another $8) 150' of 2" abrasive roll for $35 makes 6 refills for around $10 ea. I may give it a shot after the holidays. (Probably not, just like crunching the numbers) lol