Author Topic: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?  (Read 1647 times)

Offline Stinkhorn Press

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dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« on: November 16, 2017, 10:29:12 AM »
floodbars are dinged up from years of being tossed around. all sorts of nicks and unevenness - it's pretty soft metal (aluminum I assume) - what's the best method for making true and flat again?

my first thought is a bench grinder, but those default wheels are pretty aggressive...


Offline kingscreen

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2017, 10:30:37 AM »
We typically use a high grit sandpaper and patience.
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Offline Frog

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2017, 10:31:42 AM »
I'd think that a disc sander would keep them pretty straight and true.
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Offline mk162

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2017, 11:24:51 AM »
The longer your sanding belt the better.  I would use a benchtop belt and disk sander.

Offline 3Deep

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2017, 11:25:13 AM »
I use a piece of 1 x 1 wood and rub alone the edges if there's not deep nicks, keeps them nice and smooth without grinding away to much metal or a slip up with the grinder...I also do this to my scoop coaters edges.
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Offline Frog

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2017, 11:34:02 AM »
I use a piece of 1 x 1 wood and rub alone the edges if there's not deep nicks, keeps them nice and smooth without grinding away to much metal or a slip up with the grinder...I also do this to my scoop coaters edges.

This is actually "burnishing", and yeah, great for minor nicks. I do this with my scoop coater.
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Offline tonypep

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2017, 11:35:16 AM »
Sanding/grinding can often cause more damage than help. Many choose to replace

Offline RICK STEFANICK

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2017, 01:26:57 PM »
I have always used steel wool on minor nicks. same thing on scoop coaters
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Offline domineight

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2017, 11:48:12 PM »
Good excuse to splash on some nice new winged ones if your dinged up ones are the old straighties.

Offline SEPSINK

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2017, 10:01:08 AM »
I use a piece of 1 x 1 wood and rub alone the edges if there's not deep nicks, keeps them nice and smooth without grinding away to much metal or a slip up with the grinder...I also do this to my scoop coaters edges.

Will have to try this!
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Offline alan802

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2017, 10:13:42 AM »
Can't believe nobody uses sanding sponges.  15 seconds on a bad nick and it's good.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-2-62-in-x-3-75-in-Commercial-Sanding-Sponge/50189111

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Offline mimosatexas

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2017, 11:34:34 AM »
Use those for all sorts of things in our shop.  Very useful to have around.

Offline Inkworks

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2017, 11:41:43 AM »
Or use double sided tape and tape some fine grit sandpaper to a very flat surface and lap the floodbar back and forth on it. For a 16" floodbar you'll want about a 24" wide strip of sandpaper taped down. and be carefull not to rock the floodbar as you hone it, or your finished product wont be straight. then use a sanding sponge to round the edge.
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Offline blue moon

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Re: dinged up floodbars - how to fix?
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2017, 06:26:03 PM »
Or use double sided tape and tape some fine grit sandpaper to a very flat surface and lap the floodbar back and forth on it. For a 16" floodbar you'll want about a 24" wide strip of sandpaper taped down. and be carefull not to rock the floodbar as you hone it, or your finished product wont be straight. then use a sanding sponge to round the edge.

If I was doing it, this would be the method I'd use. It is least likely to produce problems. buying new might make sense if they are sufficiently dinged up. . .

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