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Western red cedar carved top
Hello folks
I’m making a Celtic mandolin , flat back , carved top , maple back and sides , Western red cedar top .
I’m used to using spruce for the tops of my instruments , I have not had any issues with the finish up till now . WRCedar is a different deal , I’m struggling to get the top sanded
to a point where I can even start to get some kind of base to work from, it just seems so soft I can’t seem to stop it tearing up . I’m looking to end up with a French polish finish.
Maybe that’s the wrong way ? Any ideas would be great .....
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
320 and 400 grit paper with a light touch and patience. Scraper with a light touch works,too.
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
Originally Posted by
Levi S
Scraper, then steel wool
Thanks guys , I’ll give it a try
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
Try a coat or two of shellac, then sand. Repeat as needed. This has worked for me with cedar, and it won't hurt your redwood.
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Easily Distracted
Re: Western red cedar carved top
As said above 320 or 400 grit. I use a firm felt pad for sanding, which keeps the corners from digging in.
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
Steel wool will leave shreds in the wood. Many steel wool makers oil the wool pads, bad idea. I highly discourage using steel wool.
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
Scrapers are a challenge on Red Cedar as well. They do work but tend to tear if not kept to a pretty good bur edge. 220 to 320 to 400 grit works pretty decently.
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
Gentle sanding is slowly getting there
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Re: Western red cedar carved top
make sure you back the sandpaper with something pliable but stiffer than your fingertip and bigger. It will lead to a better surface, including transtitions from one profile to another.
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