Abstract: An abrading assembly including a back up pad comprising a self supporting, resiliently flexible circular support layer and a flexible abrasive sheet. The abrasive sheet includes a circular central portion having a size generally corresponding to a front surface of the support layer, and at least two tab portions projecting from its central portion. The central portion of the sheet is adapted to overly the front surface of the support layer with the tab portions positioned along its peripheral surface, and means are provided for releasably attaching each of the tab portions to the back up pad. A user may insert his hand between a strap and rear surface of the support layer while the user moves his hand to move the abrasive sheet over a surface to be abraded.

Abstract: A manually manipulatable pencil like abrasive disc back up assembly for supporting pressure sensitive adhesive coated abrasive discs while abrading defects in painted surfaces such as of automobiles. The assembly includes an elongate rigid body member having sockets opening through its ends, and firm flexible support members having inner portions in the sockets, and outer portions projecting from the sockets with planar end surfaces adapted to support one of the pressure sensitive adhesive coated abrasive discs.

Abstract: A rotatable element and a surface treating device including the same are provided. The rotatable element is capable of being mounted on the end of the output shaft of a conventional surface treating device, such as an orbiting disc sander, an orbital sander, a polisher (e.g., hand-held or floor polisher), floor buffer or scrubber etc., to provide a device modified according to the invention. The element comprises a first surface including a shaft mounting means for rotation of the element about an axis generally transverse to the first surface and an opposite second surface comprising or being capable of including a surface treating means. The first surface also includes a basin-like recess having a bottom surface which is generally transverse to the axis and substantially free of radial undulations and the first surface also includes sidewalls defining a channel opening toward and extending around the axis.

Abstract: An abrading block (10) especially suited for wet hand surface finishing operations is provided. The abrading block (10) comprises a body (11) having a bottom surface (12) having an opening (13) therein. Bottom surface (12) is adapted to hold a sheet of abrasive material (14), also having an opening (15) therethrough, in a substantially planar position with an abrasive working face (16) exposed and with the opening (15) through the sheet of abrasive material (14) aligned with the opening (13) in the bottom surface (12). The body (11) also includes an opposite surface (17) capable of being grasped by the hand of the user, a cavity (18) capable of containing liquid, and a conduit (19) extending from the opening (13) in the bottom surface (12) to the cavity (18) for passage of liquid from the cavity (18) to the opening (13). An air vent (20) may be provided through the body (11 ) into the cavity (18) to permit liquid to flow therefrom under gravity.

Abstract: An abrasive wheel and drive spindle combination. The spindle is releasably engaged with the abrasive wheel by inserting a threaded end portion of the spindle through an opening in an inner flange of the abrasive wheel and rotating the spindle in a first direction to engaging it with a thread around a central opening in an outer flange of the abrasive wheel. Upon such engagement a collar on the spindle enters and is pressed into a socket coaxially centered in the inner flange to coaxially and releasably lock the abrasive wheel to the spindle so that further rotation of the spindle in the first direction rotates the wheel, and the flanges are held together during use of the wheel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for belt sanding of lumber to finish and dimension lumber as rough sawn lumber is moved in single file through the mill. The lumber is moved at an angle of between about 5 to 15 degrees to the axis of the contact drum of a wide belt planer. This angular relationship of the lumber beneath the belt permits the high speed planing without overstressing the abrasive belt.