Message Thread:
Brush sander
12/31/20
Anyone use superbrush by laguna for giving wood the old look.
Just started researching have little knowledge with these type machines.
Thanks,
Al
12/31/20 #2: Brush sander ...
I would talk to Larick machinery. They make a variety of different brush sander models in Colorado.
https://youtu.be/fup4qC0WzMc
1/3/21 #3: Brush sander ...
Yes, I purchased a 2 head, 36" superbrush less than a year ago. Happy to answer any questions you might have. Ive been less than impressed with the quality of the machine to be honest. Its assembled with a hodge podge of parts. You will need both metric and american wrenches to work on it. Switching over between heads is time consuming and intensive (say 30 minutes or so of disassembling and re-assembling the machine). The motor mounts keep bending as they are not stout enough. According to Laguna this has to do with too much torque on the head (too much contact on a pass). I felt I was "sold" a bit more than this machine has delivered. One of the biggest selling points for me was the "texture recipes" I was told they had. Apparently theyve run all kinds of material and I was hoping to get a "feeds and speeds" best practices of sorts. After mailing samples "that got lost at their facility" I never did get a solid answer. After a few calls, we did manage to get things under way but nowhere near what I was expecting for the price I paid.
As for the positives, we like the finished results...many options for texture.
I believe their price at 23k or so is too much for what you get.
1/3/21 #4: Brush sander ...
Thanks to both of you for info.
1/4/21 #5: Brush sander ...
Ryan,
Have you ever run a veneered panel through the wire brush? I’m thinking rift red or white oak.
1/5/21 #6: Brush sander ...
Al
I had a superbrush 36x2. It worked well, but I thought the same as ryan, it seemed kinda cobbled together for the price. The dust collection on mine was horrible. We eventually made a skirt out of some shower liner that helped contain the dust a little better. I changed machines after a year and bought a felder. It is a much nicer machine for the money, although the dust collection still isn’t great if your running thicker materials. We run veneered ply all the time, mostly rift WO with good results. I’m sure someone will chime in here saying that’s a bad idea, but it works for us.
1/5/21 #7: Brush sander ...
Interesting machines, I wasn’t even aware of them, I wouldn’t say running veneered panels is a bad idea, I would say that I am surprised that the machine doesn’t damage veneered panels? The brushes must be soft enough to not go through the veneer.
I was thinking I would like to have a machine similar to this for just doing solid wood, generally pieces less than a foot wide. I think depending on the design of the brushes it might be more feasible to build your own. The dollar values mentioned are quite high for the quality of machine by the sounds of it.
1/5/21 #8: Brush sander ...
I have not run veneer panels through the machine. If your thinking plywood with super thin veneer; the wire brush I have is way too aggressive for that. I believe the nylon brush (80 grit) is too aggressive as well.
1/6/21 #9: Brush sander ...
Al
We have had a 9741 Makita wire brush sander for a couple years. Works for us on the occasional job. We do a lot of rustic floating shelves with it. Edges and faces
We actually do quite a bit of MDF core Rift White oak , I get shop grade when available. Most jobs get finished with glaze to hang in the recesses.
All parts get wire brushed ,finished flat panel. Flat Conversion Varnish topcoats.
It does get to be a bit much on larger jobs . The home office took one guy all day to do and it is best to just have one guy do it for consistency. Like anything - Upcharge for special finishes !
Buy it - Not cheap - you'll still need it for what you can't send thru a big machine. But it's not 20 k either..
View higher quality, full size image (1077 X 1048)
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNUH1uchnS4
1/6/21 #10: Brush sander ...
Had to shrink down the pic to attach. Several more cabinets to the left...
Was about 10 sheets total ,50 bd ft 4/4 solid
View higher quality, full size image (1548 X 2322)
1/6/21 #11: Brush sander ...
Tom,
I have looked at the Makita and that is probably what I will go with. Do you just use the wire brush or start with wire brush and then switch to the nylon brush?
1/6/21 #12: Brush sander ...
we have the porter cable cousin to the makita sander. we use the metal wheel and i've been less than impressed. it does provide a little texture, but not what i would expect. it is most pronounced when you compare it to a non-wire brushed piece (hard to tell by itself). i've only tried it on solid wood.
i've also used a wire wheel in an angle grinder. this will dip into the wood and leave a super textured surface. this would be cool for wood beams and rustic mantles.
1/7/21 #13: Brush sander ...
Tom,
That looks really good, I looked at the Makita as well, but couldn’t find anyone with any stock near me and not sure when they would have stock.?
I was looking at the brush and was wondering if I could mount it on a spindle sander or a W&H moulder or some other configuration?
What is your finish schedule on the pieces in your pictures?
Thanks
1/9/21 #14: Brush sander ...
Sorry for the slow response guys.Covid labor short with a guy out. Shop foreman before Christmas had knee replacement surgery out for the next couple months. Been out in the shop a lot, should be posting a help wanted ad on wood web instead of responding to threads...... Al, we started out with the wire brush for the first couple years, bought the 100 grit nylon brush. Thought that would get me more texture. Really need to get the 80 grit one instead.We do not do a lot of prep sanding. Wide belt to 80 grit,Mirka heads into 120 real quick before starting with the Makita.
The Google- Barn Beams - cleaned up dozens of them --Exactly !
The Porter Cable is a toy compared to the Makita, smaller diameter and not as wide.Only really order them online., the brush only has a 12 mm hole. Finish schedule after wire brush stain, catalyzed vinyl sealer, quick light scuff, solvent-based glaze. 1-CV flat top coat..
I also order Conestoga doors with the wire brushing , not worth for me to do at what they charge..
Pic of an 8" Wire wheel on a drill- use for moldings and edges.
View higher quality, full size image (2716 X 2716)
1/9/21 #15: Brush sander ...
Pic attached
View higher quality, full size image (2063 X 2063)
1/10/21 #16: Brush sander ...
Tom,
So skip the wire brush and just go with the 80 grit nylon?
1/10/21 #17: Brush sander ...
I was talking to a sales rep in a tool store and he said the Makita is discontinued, makes me wonder how long the brushes will be available. Has anyone else heard that?
1/10/21 #18: Brush sander ...
Al , go with the 80 grit 1 st. N nnnn
Scottt , if it,s available online, buy it and don' t worry. A brush will last a couple thousand SQ ft. Get an extra brush then. I am sure Makita will continue to sell the brushes online- even if you have to do Japanese Google ! LOL...
makitatools.com9741
1/21/21 #19: Brush sander ...
I apologize as I was given bad information apparently. I talked to two more dealers who carry Makita products and they both said there are over 30 available in the warehouse, price is $560 Canadian. Disregard the discontinued info.
2/15/21 #20: Brush sander ...
I had to do a project, and I used an orbital sander with different types of papers bought from Bob Smith Tools. (https://www.bestorbitalsander.com/)
I had some doubts about this idea, because I didn't used this type of sander on this purpose, but the
customer was satisfied with the result. What do you think?
|