Winter Build Off 2026 - 5 String Fenderbacker

[mapleglo]

It doesn't look any different but I actually went back to 180 grit in an effort to get those scratches out. I'm making progress but they are still there.

I'm getting there but it's slow going. I'm thinking another day of sanding and most of them should be gone. I think I was a little too aggressive removing the excess epoxy when I removed the wings from the clamps. Though that whole time is a little fuzzy in my memory, perhaps because of "the incident".

 

[mapleglo]

More supplies:

My husband is also spraying some of the weeds around our property. It hit over 90 degrees today. In February.

 

[mapleglo]

Did you ever get so sick of sanding that you just want to scream? Yeah, that's where I am. And there's no end in sight. My orbital sander seems to have had the part that the sanding discs stick to fall off so that is now worthless, and I can't seem to find my finishing sander. Maybe it's time to buy some kind of new electric finish sander. My arms are too old for this.

 

[mapleglo]

More sanding, but to show some progress, I drilled the neck mounting holes.

Here's how I did it.

Cut off the heads from 4 screws, and used a pliers to screw them in to the neck. Then positioned the neck in the pocket, and hit it with a hammer to mark the holes.

Now more sanding.

Though I'll play my new bass a bit today also.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I just recently got a new pad for my Porter Cable random orbit sander, the old one disintegrated while I was using it. That's actually the sceond time I've replaced it, they last about 5-10 years. What brand is yours? Couldn't hurt to check Amazon and see if replacement hook and loop or stick-on pads available. I feel your pain, sanding sucks!

 

[mapleglo]

I just recently got a new pad for my Porter Cable random orbit sander, the old one disintegrated while I was using it. That's actually the sceond time I've replaced it, they last about 5-10 years. What brand is yours? Couldn't hurt to check Amazon and see if replacement hook and loop or stick-on pads available. I feel your pain, sanding sucks!

I think it's a Black and Decker? One of the cheaper brands.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Don't know which one you got, but looks like they have replacement pads for Black and Decker all over Amazon (of course). I ended up buying a knock-off version, not the OEM Porter Cable, which seemed WAY overpriced. My PC sander had 4 Torx bit stile screws holding it on, Easy Peasy. I destroyed the original one trying to put a stick-on sandpaper pad on a hook and loop sander, which gummed up all the hooks! Stupid.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=replacement+pad+for+balck+and+decker+sander&crid=2NGYR7DC6HAKY&sprefix=replacement+pad+for+balck+and+decker+sander%2Caps%2C123&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

[mapleglo]

We have these cabinets on the side wall of the garage. I store many of my tools in there, including the assortment of electric sanders.

My Husband, bless his heart, parks his car as close as he can to that side, leaving the most room for my car. So of course, I can't really get to any of the tools in those cabinets. If I asked, he would drop what he's doing and move his car immediately, but I hesitate to ask. I'll wait to use that "ask" for something that's more important. If he'd park just a few inches further to the left, there'd be enough room to squeeze open the doors to get stuff out, but I don't know I want to start an issue.

Anyway, here's where I am with the body.

Looks great from here. I was sanding at 320 grit today just to see if that would do anything about the scratches, but no such luck.

I'm not sure what grit is doing that. I've attacked them with everything from 120 to 320 and they won't budge. I'm at my whits end here and I'm thinking about just slopping on some Danish Oil and going with it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Tell him that's where you put all the Beer. Presto! Car Moved. At least you can get a car in there, my garage has been tool and junk storage only for YEARS.

 

[Reedt2000]

We have these cabinets on the side wall of the garage. I store many of my tools in there, including the assortment of electric sanders.

View attachment 7444186

My Husband, bless his heart, parks his car as close as he can to that side, leaving the most room for my car. So of course, I can't really get to any of the tools in those cabinets. If I asked, he would drop what he's doing and move his car immediately, but I hesitate to ask. I'll wait to use that "ask" for something that's more important. If he'd park just a few inches further to the left, there'd be enough room to squeeze open the doors to get stuff out, but I don't know I want to start an issue.

Anyway, here's where I am with the body.

View attachment 7444187

Looks great from here. I was sanding at 320 grit today just to see if that would do anything about the scratches, but no such luck.

View attachment 7444189

I'm not sure what grit is doing that. I've attacked them with everything from 120 to 320 and they won't budge. I'm at my whits end here and I'm thinking about just slopping on some Danish Oil and going with it.

Could always start the oil and go back to sanding if it really sticks out or bothers you. I wonder if raising the grain then sanding would help remove the marks?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Have you tried a scraper on the scratches? I kind of suck at sharpening them, but when I get it right, it leaves a nicer finish than sandpaper. I've had scratches like that happen on end-grain, and sometimes it's un-removable short of taking off some real wood. Unfortunately i think Watco will just make them pop.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Could always start the oil and go back to sanding if it really sticks out or bothers you. I wonder if raising the grain then sanding would help remove the marks?

Hadn't thought of that, maybe go over that area with an iron and damp cloth and see if they come up flush?

 

[mapleglo]

Yeah, don't have a scraper. My Husband was just reading over my shoulder - he's moving the car...

Maybe I'll apply the oil tomorrow morning. I'll think on it.

 

[mapleglo]

Yeah, it's a Black & Decker.

 

[lbridenstine]

View attachment 7444231

Yeah, it's a Black & Decker.

I replaced the pad on my Bosch sander (years later than I probably should have) and it worked like new again. I think it was around $10 and was just held on by screws. I'm sure Black & Decker probably has replacements too.

 

[mapleglo]

Well, I ordered a replacement pad. I was tempted to buy a new battery operated Craftsman orbital sander that uses the batteries we already have. We have a bunch of the battery operated Craftsman tools here. I'll see how this new pad works. It should be here in the morning.

 

[Gary_M]

We have these cabinets on the side wall of the garage. I store many of my tools in there, including the assortment of electric sanders.

View attachment 7444186

My Husband, bless his heart, parks his car as close as he can to that side, leaving the most room for my car. So of course, I can't really get to any of the tools in those cabinets. If I asked, he would drop what he's doing and move his car immediately, but I hesitate to ask. I'll wait to use that "ask" for something that's more important. If he'd park just a few inches further to the left, there'd be enough room to squeeze open the doors to get stuff out, but I don't know I want to start an issue.

Anyway, here's where I am with the body.

View attachment 7444187

Looks great from here. I was sanding at 320 grit today just to see if that would do anything about the scratches, but no such luck.

View attachment 7444189

I'm not sure what grit is doing that. I've attacked them with everything from 120 to 320 and they won't budge. I'm at my whits end here and I'm thinking about just slopping on some Danish Oil and going with it.

Sorry if I missed it earlier, but did you wet them down to see if they show up? This is looking fantastic by the way.

 

[mapleglo]

Sorry if I missed it earlier, but did you wet them down to see if they show up? This is looking fantastic by the way.

Thanks! I haven't wet them down. Maybe I should.

 

[mapleglo]

The new pad arrived, installed it, and sanded at 220 and 320 for a bit, and then applied some Danish Oil.

Yummy.

 

[AK4570]

Gorgeous!