Using hoover with sander?

Careful_with_that_Axe

I'm currently sanding down an old oak bureau bit by bit and have asander that I can attach a vacuum cleaner to. Is this likely to damage the cleaner? I am worried about dust getting into the motor.
I do have the choice of using either a Dyson or a Henry (that has bags in it).

Would like reassurance please?
Many thanks

phill99

As strange as it may seem, vacuum cleaners are designed to suck up dust. Its what they do. Its why they were invented. Dust wont get in the motor.

I have a Henry and give it a lot of grief and can't remember the last time I had a bag in it. The Henry will be fine.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thanks. My gut feeling was the Henry would be fine, but just had a feeling I had heard horror stories somewhere.
Don't suppose you also know an easy way to get off layers and layers of dark stain with a shellac over it? I'm sanding it really hard and still having a tough time removing everything. Can't afford the heavy duty strippers (ooh err missus), but have some liquid sander I intend to use with wire wool for the last bits that lie in the dents n stuff.

Many thanks

phill99

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Thanks. My gut feeling was the Henry would be fine, but just had a feeling I had heard horror stories somewhere.
Don't suppose you also know an easy way to get off layers and layers of dark stain with a shellac over it? I'm sanding it really hard and still having a tough time removing everything. Can't afford the heavy duty strippers (ooh err missus), but have some liquid sander I intend to use with wire wool for the last bits that lie in the dents n stuff.

Many thanks

Sanding shellac is like pushing treacle up hill. It just blocks the sand paper up within ha;f a second of you switching the sander on.

You8 need to use a chemical stripper. I know it s a cost, but other wise it will never come off doing it your way.

If you are feeling brave, use a heat gun to burn it off.

aboard_epsilon

i would scrape it with a blade of some sorts ..get as much off as possible ..then sand it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_-VZM6OGhk

lot more videos there on the subject ..basically sharpening the scraper to create a burr on the scraper is the secret .

i worked for a painting and decorating firm once .

as i was the youngest i was given the horrible tasks ...

three storie house with stained varnished staircase ...all had to go back to bare wood ..

best method i found was broken glass held with a rag ..you smash it ..into pieces ..and then you have all you need ..and lots of different shapes to get into knucks and crannies .

took three weeks for me to get that stair case down to the bare wood ..and i wasn't given the pleasure of staining it ..so no reward .

all the best.markj

ormus

get a heat gun. job done in minutes.

ps
i know builders who abuse red henrys all day long. they go on forever.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thank you all for that. It seemed like such a good idea when I started damnit! Underneath the almost black stain is a beautiful oak piece of furniture screaming to get out and I just couldn't resist. My instinct said that a sander was the way to go. The bonus being I had a sander, albeit a cheapie from Argos. Looks like I'll have to save my pennies and get a heat gun too

I've long looked at furniture mouthing help under years of "improvements" and jumped in with both feet on starting this one. Should have done some research first methinks.

And I've broken my nails :eek:

Leif

phill99 wrote: »

Sanding shellac is like pushing treacle up hill. It just blocks the sand paper up within ha;f a second of you switching the sander on.

You8 need to use a chemical stripper. I know it s a cost, but other wise it will never come off doing it your way.

If you are feeling brave, use a heat gun to burn it off.

I agree that (s)he should use a chemical stripper. I tried several including Nitromors on a door painted with gloss oil paint and the best was the tubs of Eco Solutions paint stripper from B&Q and Focus (RIP). But it must be left on overnight at least as it takes a long time to work, but when it does it is good. And paint it on fairly thickly too. I have also bought some Kling Strip and another stripper from the same company, which I am testing this weekend. Google the name and you'll find them. You can also use sodium hydroxide in wall paper paste, painted on, and covered with cling film, or so I have read, but take care as NaOH is very dangerous. It feels soft and soapy, because it is eating away at your skin, nice. If you use it, I urge you to use eye protection and gloves, and observe caution with children, in fact don't use it if there are children and/or animals around.

I would urge caution with a heat gun as it can burn and/or discolour the wood. Since I think you want to varnish/polish the wood, I'd advise against it. Or try the heat gun on a part of the furniture that is not normally visible.

Peartree

I don’t think it would do your Henry much harm if you have bags. If it is shellac methylated spirits should dissolve it. Otherwise, it is probably varnish so I’d say chemical strippers is the best option. You can get non-branded cheaper particularly if you go to a trade place. To save on stripper try putting on a layer and then covering with tin foil to stop it drying out before it dissolves the finish and then needs a second layer.

Don’t waste your money on a heat gun - fine on gloss paint and not much else.

Careful_with_that_Axe

I'm a she!
I don't know what to do now. Just been looking at Oxalic acid as a possibility, but I am quite against using strong chemicals and have poor use of my hands and can just see an accident waiting to happen!

Leif

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

I'm a she!

No offence intended in my earlier post. The avatar is not always of the person concerned.