The Future Of Sanding

Armor/AFV Painting & Weathering
1

this might be the future of sanding

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2

But can it fair up or flatten surfaces by knocking down the high spots ?

3

Paint/Rust removal: Yes.
Sanding to shape: Doubtful

4

I would think not but I bet it’d be great to turn your project to toast with the wrong settings.

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5

And here I thought my automatic sanding pen was great.

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6

If you read other sources (we’re thinking about getting it at the museum) the answer is “no.” High spots are fine.

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7

I think it just removes a layer of something. Not a seam remover or a seam and putty blender.

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8

Drachinifel put up a video a year ago about using a laser to remove rust from the hardware on museum ships; the technology only works for removing surface layers like rust or paint, and not, as TopSmith points out, for seam removal or smoothing surfaces:

9

But just think of the possibilities with more development. The Wright Bros. didn’t get it all done in one pass or multiple for that matter. But I fully suspect it will not totally replace sandpaper and files. Everything has limitations, it just a matter of finding them.

10

I eagerly await the first report of some guy using one of those on his model and setting the whole thing on fire.

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11

Well, yeah, but one must consider the physics involved in removing iron oxide from steel by a laser versus removing some amount of plastic from other plastic. It’s not the lack of development that prevents the use of arc welding in joining plastics, or using solvents to join steel.

KL

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12

CRAP! There went my Zimmerit coating!

13

Cool, but I bet it is expensive?

14

I can see where a place like a museum or large aito body shop can benefit from it, and help offset the cost by allowing others to bring their projects in and having them stripped. Everyone wins.

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15

And the advantage over sand or bead blasting (other than residue) is?

16

Which reside are you talking about? This does away with both the medium (none) and the offending substance, which is vacuumed away.
And then of course is the time saving. Time is the most valuable commodity for me.

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17

Ok, sir?

Please tell us what you were doing when the fire started?…

:joy: :grimacing: :rofl:

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18

I see me being the first laser assisted murder when I calibrate it wrong and shoot the laser into the neighbors house

19

One step closer to the phaser…

Oh man. Set the power too high. Wait. Where did the cat go?

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20

I have sand blasted, primed and painted a T62. There was a bit of sand residue to have to deal with.