jmaichel Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 What are the rules for sanding playwood. I have not worked with a lot of plywood before and am worried that my ETS 150 will be a little too aggressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fransikaner Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hopefully others will pipe in, but for me, if it's cabinet grade, I usually come in at about 180 grit if the surface looks good. You may have to remediate below that depending on the wood. You didn't indicate if you have the ETS 150 3 or 5 - the 5 is a little more aggressive with it's 5 MM RO stroke. You should also be paying attention to the surface veneer thickness. Usually I can go with 180, wipe down/vac and first coat with finer sanding after that (rub finish). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
areynoldsre Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 My rules for sanding plywood are: 1. Know how thick the outer layer is. 2. Start at 150 and move to 220. 3. Go carefully. 4. Don't be agressive. and don't worry too much. If you stay aware of what you're doing you won't blow through the outer veneer. Otherwise, it is just wood - very thin wood but wood. With good quality plywoods you don't need much sanding to get a good finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted March 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Thanks for the replies. Frans, its an ETS 150/3. I think the outer venner is close to 1/16" that's just a guess I did not actully measure. I really just need to do a little clean up and I want to make sure that I get a nice even finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcustoms Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 I always sand with 150 then 180 nothing to crazy just enough to get everything smooth and even from any burnishing that will affect finishing. 220 isn't really necessary before applying a finish since you always sand after the seal coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 My system for ply is a little different. I cut up all the pieces and wipe down with denatured alchohol. Wipe with a soft rag. One direction with the grain will feel smooth the other direction will snag the rag fibers. I use a good sized mirka vacuum hand sanding block. First stoke is in the rough direction the same direction that snags the rag fibers then the back stroke, move over half overlaping and do this all the way across the sheet. With 150 then 180. Once you have a rhythem you can sand as fast as an ro sander. Then I hit all the edges that are going to be stuck in a dado just enough to chamfer slightly. One thing to look for on heavier plywood thicker than 1/2 is paddle marks. Cheaper imported ply like stuff from lowes and HD get sheet flpper marks. One side goes through a sander the the sheet is flipped but is dropped on metal bars before it gets conveyed to the next sander. Expensive plywood gets flipped onto a vacuum conveyer to prevent sailing and denting. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fransikaner Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 A most excellent system, Don!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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