Author Archives: Polly O'Hara

Abrasive Disks, Belts and Wide Belts: An Overview of Sanding Tools

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When it comes to woodworking or any type of DIY project, sanding is a crucial step in achieving a polished and professional finish. Sanding tools come in various shapes and sizes, each with their unique features and benefits. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a closer look at abrasive discs, belts, and wide belts, discussing their differences and which one would be the best fit for your project.

Definition of Abrasive Disks, Belts, and Wide Belts

Abrasive discs are circular sanding tools that attach to a power drill or sander and come in a wide variety of different sizes and grits and backers. Abrasive belts are sanding belts that fit onto a belt sander, while wide abrasive belts are wider sanding belts used for industrial sanding applications.

Purpose of Sanding Tools

Sanding tools are used to remove rough edges, burrs, or imperfections on various surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic. Sanding also improves adhesion by creating a smooth surface for paint or glue to adhere to.

Types of Sanding Tools

There are various types of sanding tools, including orbital sanders, belt sanders, and disc sanders, each unique in its own way. In this post, we’ll be focusing on abrasive discs, belts, and wide belts.

Disc sander using Sanding Discs

Abrasive Discs

Abrasive discs come in various grits, with the lower numbers being coarser, and the higher numbers being finer. The materials used for abrasive discs include aluminum oxide, ceramic, and silicon carbide.

Materials and Grit Sizes

Aluminum oxide is the most common material used for abrasive discs and is suitable for sanding wood, metal, and plastic. Silicon carbide disks are best suited for sanding stone, glass, and ceramics.

Types of Abrasives Discs

Abrasive discs come in various shapes and sizes, including foam discs, hook and loop discs, and peel and stick (PSA) discs.

Foam discs are best for moist finishing clear coats,varnishes and gel coats. They produce equal pressure and provide a uniform scratch pattern. The foam backer ensures that they conform to any contour.

Hook and Loop sanding discs are perfect for easy attachment and removal to your power tools because of the velcro type backer.

Peel and Stick disc are also very easy to remove and attach as they utilize a pressure sensitive adheasive backer.

Uses and Applications

Abrasive discs are perfect for sanding small or intricate surfaces, such as door frames, furniture, and cabinets. They are also ideal for removing paint or rust from metal surfaces.

Sander with Sanding Belt in Use

Abrasive Belts

Abrasive belts come in various widths and grits and are ideal for sanding large surfaces, such as floors, tabletops, and doors. The wider the belt, the more surface area it can cover, resulting in faster sanding times.

Materials and Grit Sizes

Abrasive belts are made of the same materials as abrasive discs and are available in various grits, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

Types of Abrasive Belts

Abrasive belts come in various types, including cloth-backed, paper-backed, and polyester-backed belts. Cloth-backed belts are durable and long-lasting, while paper-backed belts are more affordable and suited for lighter sanding applications. Polyester-backed belts are ideal for wet sanding applications.

Uses and Applications

Abrasive belts are ideal for sanding large surfaces, such as floors, tabletops, and doors. They are also ideal for removing old finishes or paint from wooden surfaces.

Wide Abrasive Belts

Wide abrasive belts are similar to abrasive belts but are wider, making them more suitable for industrial sanding applications.

Materials and Grit Sizes

Wide abrasive belts are made of the same materials as abrasive disks and belts and are available in various grits. They are suitable for sanding large surfaces, such as wooden boards or metal sheets.

Types of Wide Abrasive Belts

Wide abrasive belts come in various types, including paper-backed, cloth-backed, and polyester-backed belts.

Uses and Applications

Wide abrasive belts are ideal for industrial sanding applications, such as sanding large wooden boards or metal sheets. They are also suitable for sanding dense materials, such as particleboard or MDF.

Care and Maintenance of Sanding Tools

Caring for your sanding tools is essential to ensure their longevity and performance. Proper cleaning and storage are crucial, as well as replacing abrasive pads and belts when necessary.

Cleaning and Storage

After use, wipe your sanding tools clean with a dry cloth and store them in a dry, cool place. Avoid exposing them to moisture or extreme temperatures, which can damage the sanding surface and reduce their lifespan.

Replacing Abrasive Pads and Belts

Replace abrasive pads and belts when they become worn or damaged. Continuing to use them can result in reduced performance and may damage the surface you are sanding.

Ensuring Proper Use for Longevity

Ensure that you are using the correct grit and material for your sanding application. Also, avoid applying excessive pressure, which can result in overheating or damaging the sanding surface.

Conclusion

Sanding tools are essential for achieving a polished and professional finish in woodworking and DIY projects. Abrasive discs, belts, and wide belts each have their unique features and benefits, making them suitable for different sanding applications. By selecting the right sanding tool for your project and taking proper care of it, you can achieve a quality finish that will last for years to come.

Mondays with Mike…9-12-2022 Edition 31

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Matching Sinks, Faucets and Hardware Help to Create the Bathroom of Your Dreams

As is typical for me, I have to rave about the gray tones on display here in this seemingly mirror-less bathroom. I’ve often contemplated replacing my own main floor bathroom’s mirror. You see, it extends all the way down to a level in line with the top of our short faucet fixture, which means without great effort to prevent it, hand washing results in an abundance of water splashing up onto the mirror. It’s such an annoying problem that I sometimes just walk a few step over into the kitchen to wash/dry my hands.

I won’t go too deep here today, but just know that these stunning pulls and matching series knobs are available for purchase at www.WoodworkerExpress.com. Plus, if you want a different look, we’ve got color/finish variety for days, and that’s always a good thing. So, you and I both are disappointed that we don’t carry the missing mirror for this particular bathroom application, but we DO carry an assortment of closet mirrors destined to take your bedroom closet chic to the next level. I realize that is all exciting news, but in your excitement be sure you don’t push past these brilliant acrylic sinks and their accompanying faucets. They complement each other so well while also being essential to the reason this room was walked into to begin with.

Behind the gray cabinet façade, I speculate these cabinets and drawers are mounted with task-specific organizers. Of course, we stock these with a multitude of flexible options…so much so that you’d think they were custom-designed. Care to learn more? Call a www.WoodworkerExpress.com advisor toll-free at:  855-993-4968

Gray themed bathroom with silver faucets and hardware
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…9-5-2022 Edition 30

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Blending Old and New to Create A Zen Bath Space

It’s rare that I’m overly excited about a house’s ‘facilities’, but the photo of this washroom evokes a real Zen calming feeling when I view it. By now you may know that I will never question the aesthetic choice of incorporating a barn door into any room’s design! The fact that a mirror is attached to it borders on legendary. The above-sink light fixtures incorporate that raw wood look that we see looking so good on the barn door. The mix of natural materials incorporated with standard cabinetry and lighting helps create a calm, spa-like aesthetic.

Another Oil Rubbed Bronze success story here with these fantastic faucets mounted atop a nicely chosen piece of solid surface. It all blends so well with the ‘siding’ wall panel look. More tie-ins with the ORB cabinet pulls, door knob, and barn door track). No surprise to me, but my favorite design color of Gray is once again being used to good effect.

If you like the niceties incorporated here (like I do!), then redirect yourself over to www.WoodworkerExpress.com to find those key pieces to help bring your ‘facility’ to light.

Spa-like bath created with mixing natural materials such as raw wood.
Photo courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-29-2022 Edition 29

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Create A Closet So Organized that No Doors are Necessary!

No door needed here for this multi-function utility closet, for if there were I could sincerely recommend a barn door in its place. I note ‘multi-function’ to describe this due to the fact that painting supplies (and paint!) are quite close to the ironing supplies, which might only be steps away from the eye care products and toothpaste. While at it, I might also bring the toilet paper down to a lower level…

As I often say in these parts, www.WoodworkerExpress.com carries a handful, if not more of the products that you see here in this utility closet. If you think I’m exaggerating, then take a look at the HandiSOLUTIONS® Wall Panel that is accessorized with baskets to hold cleaning supplies and a mop + paper towels. We don’t sell the mop (…we do sell brooms!), but all the accessories holding baskets that attach to this wall panel we’ve got! The chrome Rev-A-Shelf closet baskets stowed in the lower right bays are in stock at the moment…they’re also available in oil rubbed bronze and satin nickel finishes.

Lucky for me, as you see, I’m prepared…cleanup in Aisle 3!

Cleaning supplies closet organized with slat wall and pull-out baskets
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-22-2022 Edition 28

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Creating an Unexpected Space-Confessions of a Woodworker…

Confessions anyone? If you are a creative, semi-handy person then you might find this mudroom cabinet here to be a desirable and attainable project for you to take on. I can tell you firsthand that www.WoodworkerExpress.com is loaded with all the hooks, pulls and other components necessary to assemble this stylishly aeriated cabinet.

As alluded to in the beginning, this project resembles confessional. I’m guessing it might’ve been the dark wood combined with the pull and mesh wire grills that triggered me thinking that. That said, once I focused in on the 2nd door (+ the 2 jackets), I realized this indeed wasn’t a (group!) confessional, but rather a great mudroom cabinet design brought to life. Part of that great design is the installed mesh allowing the contents to always be largely obscured, aerating and nearby. On top of that, the wood tone chosen here is fundamental to helping obscure the ‘mud’ you’ll surely expect in these parts.

Speaking of confessions, I believe the floor tiles shown here in the photo are the exact same ones that are in my own home. I know that’s technically unlikely, but I’d almost agree to a substitution to just see if I’m right. However, that sounds like a whole lot of effort for me to prove a point (that I’m wrong!). I’ll also mention that you are well within your whims to design and build your own confessional….

And if you do, could we please see a photo?

Mudroom closet space complete with hooks, handles and mesh screen door inserts.
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-15/2022 Edition 27

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Opposites Attract-Create Harmony with Contrast.

We’ve all heard the popular saying “Not everything in life is black and white.” However, the designer of this brilliant kitchen/mudroom combo might just beg to differ whilst offering up a substitute for us all: “Opposites attract.”

Here we can see a clear delineation between the countertop/matching matte black hardware choices and everything else here, really. Starting with the matte black hardware, we can see a fabulous and flexible assortment of chosen hardware: door handles and hinges, faucets, hooks, knobs & cup pulls. Even if the flooring here was a different color, there’s no way that the black hardware isn’t the winner in this designer’s game of what ultimately looks best.

WE (www.WoodworkerExpress.com) also has the items that hold this all together organizationally (Base Cabinet Organizers, Lazy Susans, Under sink Drip Trays, Cabinet Door Racks, etc.). When it comes to style, you also have to have substance. Behind the façade, there must be function; I don’t think you can have one without the other. Funny how this all oddly sounds a bit like our initial ‘popular saying’ about black and white. And speaking of color contrast, I do notice a seemingly glowing yellow container of some of the finest hand sanitizer I’ve come across: Lemyn. After all, it’s a kitchen/mudroom, so perhaps the hand sanitizer is the final piece that helps keep the mud at bay.

Kitchen and mudroom combo finished in shades of black and white.
Photo courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-8-2022 Edition 26

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‘A Kind of Blue’ is/was a classic album released in 1959 by legendary trumpeter and jazz icon, Miles Davis. The uniquely colored kitchen cabinets in front of us, could absolutely be described as featuring ‘a kind of blue’ motif. I’m not trying to equate Miles’ musical ethos to be in harmony with this particular kitchen design, but then again: Why not?

Creative freedom in the arts as well as the design world are imperative to self-expression, so why not just go for those designs that you’re dreaming of. What I’m suggesting is simply: Embrace the Bold!

Now there was a time within the last dozen years or so where I had a very navy blue kitchen . But I’ve since moved on from that to a more grayish feel. Although focused at the moment on the big, bright blue kitchen cabinets, the utensils and cookware that we rely on daily generally don’t sit on top of the counters as something to simply look at. That’s what the cabinets are for and as we see here, Base Cabinet Fillers can (and should) be a part of the storage and organizational mindset when we’re designing a kitchen. Also note the muted appeal of the stark black cabinet hardware against the plain birch cabinets. This allows the fantastic blue color to pop!

And this one makes no excuses for being bold and cartoonish in its approach…and I, for one, love it! If you are in this category as well, then head on over to check out these great Base Cabinet Fillers from Rev-A-Shelf and other great manufacturers at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Harkening back to the beginning of this column, please feel free to investigate ‘A Kind of Blue’, which is considered by many to be one of THE greatest jazz records ever recorded. “Not everything has to be shiny and new, so be sure to treasure the niceties in life, some of which already exist.“

Bold blue cabinets create a big design statement, but the organizers tell the real story
Photo Courtesy of Houzz

Mondays with Mike…8-1-2022 Edition 25

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There’s Gold in That Thar Kitchen !

Ah, yes… the early stages of the search to find that elusive kitchen accessory that just doesn’t have a real home. This young chef-in-training it seems is finding out the hard way that organization is the key to nearly everything in life going smoothly…well, in the kitchen anyway. As we see here, she’s searching shoulder deep within these drawers, which we can deduce are clearly in need of some organizational inserts. For if they were equipped already, there would likely be no search, let alone a shoulder deep one. Speaking of search, www.WoodworkerExpress.com is the answer to where we find these goods, and as such, would be option 1, 2 and 3 for satisfying our kitchen design needs! Like these floating shelves, for example: responsible entirely for supporting the spice offerings available to all who enter and eat.

I’ve mentioned it before, not only because it’s rad, but because it’s bold and who doesn’t like bold from time to time…if not all the time? I’m talking about the intentional gold hardware choices on display here. Those opulent gold pulls could quite likely be causing our junior chef to have to shield her eyes from the sheen. I’ve also got a need to mention this gold-trimmed king-sized range hood that looks aesthetically like it could’ve been in service on the Titanic! It’s surely an amazing hood and yet another item that we can help you spec. out when the time comes for you to purchase your own.

There’s gold in that ‘thar kitchen!

Technically, it’s true…just look at the gold pull near the sink, the gold knob under the country sink, the golden door hinges…and for Pete’ sake: even the floor grate is golden! These folks have brought forth the bold and as a result, this kitchen area is fabulous. The inquisitive eye will find more to like in this small photo and realize that it can likely be found in spades at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Kitchen with bold gold accents

Mondays with Mike…7-25-2022 Edition 24

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In general, I’m well aware that I have much more clarity when it comes to what I dislike vs. what I do like. I’m able to quickly rule things out that I deem to be ‘rubbish’ to my (not so) sophisticated aesthetic palette. That said, to my eye today’s kitchen is far from what I would deem ‘rubbish’ and in fact, it’s unbelievably awesome. And for those who know me (…in real life), that also comes with the caveat that I first and foremost love open concept design and a kitchen where folks will gather to eat, drink, and mumble. THIS is not that kitchen…the one where everyone is so happy that they somehow can become apathetic to the shame of dropping food on the(your) floor. Adding to this ease of complicity is the cat who will assuredly ‘fix things’ when the shrimp tail inevitably descends from finger towards floor.

The great grey colors lead the way here while white saves the day and keeps things bright enough – it’s a kitchen after all! The backsplash is cooler than anyone will realize right off the bat. I call it ‘Railyard Chic’, blending those various brick tones. Brilliance because of the brick, I declare! Track lighting also keeps the look here flexible and ever-changing, should you desire that…and who wouldn’t? You can’t miss the fabulous wood range hood that’s coordinated so nicely with the quite semi-sophisticated faucet/sink combo. I also appreciate the laundry closet concept which utilizes a sliding door design. It’s just a great hideaway. Do your dishes, wash and dry your clothes, all at the same time while keeping the noise confined to just one area of the home – sounds like a night time task. Needless to say, www.WoodworkerExpress.com can be front and center for you in providing help during the process of transferring a similar look and feel into YOUR kitchen. Again, a splendid kitchen design for us to appreciate…additionally confirmed by the feline who seems right at home sniffing what could possibly have been a ‘smudge’ missed by the bather, but never the cat.

Gray kitchen with a modern industrial vibe

Mondays with Mike…7-18-2022 Edition 23

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Everything Old is “New” Again

If it’s a period look they’re going for…then ‘Ding’ is the sound we’ll all hear from the award tower as they chime the winning bell, I suppose. This is undoubtedly the most unique bit of ‘décor-ing’, I’ve witnessed. As I normally act when cleaning up a skillet or pan and equipped with a stainless steel sink, I‘m inclined to go for more of a ‘gentle’ mode, but that all gets thrown out the window when I’m doing my normal countertop work. As a matter of fact, I may actually consider skipping the traditional countertop wipe-downp and instead go for a light-grit sanding to remove some of those scrub-ready stains. In all seriousness, this could be a real contender for folks with small children and/or a care-free spouse/lifestyle. The use of old barn wood, iron fixtures and antiques says everything old can indeed be new again. It just needs repurposing.

Admire, if you will the fantastic incorporation of the ultra-modern floating shelves, which we see regularly in kitchen design. Don’t miss the hardware latches from a bygone era and their accompanying bin pulls. WAY back in the day, kids! Can someone please advise what I’m guessing might be a melon-squisher is exactly being used for? I thought they only used those things in the workshop, not the kitchen…and for hammering/bending/blacksmithing?!

Regardless, if rugged is your thing, we have the components on hand to get you closer to your inner John Wayne ‘sharpen your knife on the countertop’ mindset. Just look us up at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com. And remember, don’t throw anything away just yet because it could all come back into vogue at any time!

Rustic kitchen using old barn wood and iron hardware
Image courtesy of homebnc.com