Awl --
My buddy brought over a palm-type air random orbital sander, with a relatively small rectangular footprint of 3 x 4.25", with a velcro/"hook'n'loop" type base. No internal/external vacuum. Dynabrade 58500, not cheap -- $250.
Using my old 8-hole Bosch round velcro 100 grit sanding discs, followed by maroon scotchbrite, gives a perty nice satin finish, on 1/4" x 12 x 36-48
6061 material for anodizing/powder coating. I'm sponging down the alum with a pumice-type hand cleaner, for now, prior to this.Despite the small footprint, this unit seems to have some oomph, is much better balanced and easier to use than my semi-hi-end variable speed Bosch orbitals, which seem to have some reliability issues and quality/longevity problems.
Stuff seems to go pretty quick with this unit, despite the small footprint. I'm guessing that the small footprint also allows more pressure for a given hand exertion, which may indirectly help speed up the process.
Does this sound like good bang for my finishing buck? I'm basically looking for efficient strategies, as well as mebbe some "artistic tips" ito finishing.
For example, the satin finish is the most expeditious (certainly easier than a high polish), but I'm wondering if people deliberately play around with rough grits/rough scotchbrite, to get the metallic equivalent of "distressed wood". Inyone done this, with good effect?
Is there a "typical" sequence of grit/scotchbrite for traditional satinizing? Is the dynabrade a good unit for this job? Any cheaper quality units? fwiw, Dynabrade seems to be Merkin made, and is a NY company. Is the footprint "right"?
Does scotchbrite create dust? It seems to mostly make the aluminum gray/greasy, which washes right off. I'm assuming I want have to do a final washing, if the anodizer uses his caustic etch stuff. I do the initial washing, just to keep the pads/paper fresher longer.
Would the "grain" direction of a timesaver be acceptable, or even desirable? Do timesavers use scotchbrite, as well?
Lastly, does it make sense to wash scotchbrite, with the accumulated aluminum crud?
I have come to like the rectangular footprint, as it makes cutting sandpaper/scotchbrite easier, not to mention the "corner issue", yet the round footprints seem to predominate. Iny ideas why?
tia.