If you think the carbide grit has come off your DuraGRIT tool, it is mostly likely buried under carbon or debris clogs, leaving a smooth shiny surface.
Cleaning the tool will make the carbide grit work as good as new!
Here are some tips for cleaning your DuraGRIT tools to help keep them long lasting.
TREND Tool Cleaner & Blade & Bit™ - Resin, Gum and Pitch remover
Use a blade cleaning product such as Trend Tool Cleaner or Blade & Bit, Resin, Gum and Pitch remover. These products are very effective at removing debris from blades and burs. They are available at Sears, Woodcraft, West Marine and other fine hardware stores.
Blade & Bit™ http://boeshield.com/catalog/#bladeandbit
If Blade and Bit is unavailable in your area, then the following are tips for cleaning...
Hi-Speed Rotary Carbide Cutting Wheels & Carving Burrs
Model # begins with: SR- or LR-
Everyday debris: (e.g. Sawdust)
- Run the tip or wheel in the bristles of a wire brush at medium to low speed.
- TIP: Clean regularly to avoid build up and accumulation
Accumulated clogs: (e.g. Sawdust, laminates etc.)
- Run the tip or wheel on the face or edge of a commercially available ‘uncured’ rubber block
Sticky Clogs: (e.g. Wood sap, resin or old paint)
- Remove the screw and washer that secures the wheel or tip to the mandrel
- Soak the tip or wheel in solvent such as acetone (available from most hardware stores), for 5-10 minutes (Wear rubber gloves)
- Remove from solution and brush with a wire brush to remove any remaining residue
- Re-assemble the wheel to the mandrel, placing the red washer between the wheel and the mandrel.
Stubborn clogs: (e.g. Burned wood - carbon)
- Remove the screw and washer that secures the wheel or tip to the mandrel
- Place the wheel or tip on a saucer and spray with oven cleaner.
- (Wear rubber gloves and take normal precautions not to spray yourself or inhale the product spray)
- Leave for an hour and flush with water while rubbing with a wire brush
- Re-assemble the wheel to the mandrel, placing the red, fibre washer between the wheel and the mandrel.
HAND TOOLS (HT-) and DISCS & BLADES (DB-):
Note: DO NOT run hook & loop orbit sanders during cleaning.
Everyday debris: (e.g. Sawdust)
- Vigorously rub the surface of the sheet, file or disc, with a stiff wire brush.
- TIP: Brush regularly to avoid build up and accumulation
- TIP: TruSanders have dust collection channels behind the perforated carbide plate. Simply ‘tap’ the handle on the bench to clear sawdust.
Accumulated clogs: (e.g. Sawdust, laminates etc.)
- Rub the surface of the tool with a commercially available ‘uncured’ rubber block
Sticky Clogs: (e.g. Wood sap, resin or old paint)
- Remove the carbide sheet or disc from the handle or sander
- Brush the sheet or disc with a wire brush dipped in acetone to remove any sticky residue
- Allow time to dry before re-installing
- TIP: Save time and effort, use ordinary disposible discs for sticky surfaces and throw the clog away with the disc. Save your DuraDisc for clean sanding.
Stubborn clogs: (e.g. large accumulations of hard sap, paint residue etc.)
- Remove the carbide sheet or disc from the handle or sander.
LOOP BACKED SANDING DISCS
DuraDisc DB-DS5
- Download the DuraDISC™ READ ME, which contains important instructions, as a printable PDF - Click Here
- Heat the loop backing with a heat gun or hair dryer until the adhesive softens enough to peel off the loop pad.
- Lay the sheet or disc on a non flammable surface (e.g. concrete block) and burn the clog from the sheet or disc with a propane torch.
- (IMPORTANT: Take normal precautions not to burn yourself or inhale fumes/smoke etc.)
- When cool, rub the surface with a wire brush to remove burned residue. Re-mount sanding sheet to the handle.
- In the case of sanding discs, clean the non-grit side of dirt, dust and oil with Rubbing Alcohol and apply a new, white, DB-DL5-HD2, loop pad (click here for more details), carefully following the application instructions that comes with it.
- TIP: The best way to deal with stubborn clogs, is to avoid them in the first place. Save wasted time and effort cleaning. Use ordinary disposible discs for sticky surfaces and throw the clog away with the disc. Use your long life DuraDisc for clean sanding.
