Shopsmith Strip Sander: Better than any you've ever imagined! (Link to Important Announcement)
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
- SHOP NOTES: Shopsmith 42" Strip Sander is one of those tools that at first glance just doesn't seem worth the money, but trust me, all you have to do is use it and you'll fall in love.
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A few accessories can be used on the Shopsmith stip sander:
🟢 Here are a couple 42" leather strops that can be purchased from Amazon: amzn.to/3t3zNSZ amzn.to/2OErYo9 and this set includes ceramic abrasive belts and a leather strop: amzn.to/3vcPauv
🟢 Here's a reasonable assortment of polishing compounds amzn.to/38wEsVW
🟢 25 belt assortment of aluminum oxide sanding belts for woodworking (5 Each of 80 120 150 240 400 Grits): amzn.to/3byZC7Q
🟢 Knifemaking abrasive belt assortment: amzn.to/30rxg9d
🟢 Here's my preferred abrasive cleaning stick: amzn.to/3loB0UB The one I found at Harbor Freight was a disappointment.
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Thanks for Sharing your Experience. I just purchased a Strip sander from a New found Shopsmith friend. This is a Strong following I do believe. This video and others you have shared really makes this product Shine.
Wow! Now I know what I want for Christmas this year!
Well, bless your heart, Scott. I'm possibly buying a used strip sander and have come back to review your video. This helps a lot. Thank you so much for your help. ❤😊
@@MrMarkpeggy Happy to assist, Mark.
You don’t know how much I’ve learned from your videos , I sure appreciate them greatly thanks.
Thanks, that made my day. Scott
I just picked one up in a trove of vintage shopsmith equipment. It’s virtually new. Thanks for this valuable information
Lucky!
@@MyGrowthRings ¥_£^£{}€£ the sanding machine also came with a trove of sandpaper. As the belts have been sitting in cartons the past 20-years, the tape joints are snapping on every belt I install on the machine^]_¥£_£
I just picked up an older strip sander, this video is very valuable to me. Thanks for taking your time to show us newbies!
My pleasure.
I just bought one of these off FB Marketplace. Thanks again for your videos Scott, I had no issue assembling it and getting it ready to go.
That’s great, Dale. It’s a simple and handy machine.
@@MyGrowthRings Scott, I received some 1" sanding strips when I purchased my SS Strip Sander. Each one of them has parted. I've gone ahead and ordered the Ceramic Abrasive Strip Sanding Belts from SS but I'm wondering if there is anything inside the machine that might be causing this? I've visually and by feel checked the entire path with no luck. I'm hoping it's just that those belts we old. Thanks.
@@WKYanks no, I don’t believe the tool is causing the issue, I suspected it’s just age. You should be able to use some fiberglass reinforced tape to reconnect them, or simply use wood glue and clamp them firmly in the jaws of a workbench or hand screw clamp to rejoin. Good luck! Scott
@@MyGrowthRings Ah, I didn't think about reconnecting them. I'll give that a shot. Thanks.
Shop smith genius! But how are we non genius ever supposed to learn and remember all this? I guess that is why you started the RUclips channel. Good idea Scott!
You are too kind.
Heck yeah, I'll join. I look forward to your videos every week.
Thanks a ton, Dana. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the "Community" tab, because that's where you will access the member-only content as it is generated. Scott
And look at that cool, green “MGR” badge next to your name! Thanks for the support!
Are you planning to do a video on using the strip sander to sharpen lathe chisels. I have the SS accessory for this, just not good at it, and could use some help.
I would if I had the accessory, but I don’t. Perhaps someday...
BTW, Nick Engler did a video covering the sharpening jig here: ruclips.net/video/YzEOM1DgUeg/видео.html
Brand new? 30 plus years owning my Shopsmith never knew could sand inside like that. Thanks Scott! I love the stumped vids
Happy to share a new trick. Scott
Amazing what one can learn from reading the strip sander manual! IMHO
There's a lot of truth in that!
Can the inside sanding also be done on the similar looking belt sander that doesn’t have the “Strip Sander” logo? I’m looking online at buying one, and the outside looks the same, as far as I can tell. I haven’t seen the inside, so don’t know if it has all the pulley positions.
@@benwhite3227 One would have to look at the specifications of that particular strip sander. Inside side sanding would be a feature that would be advertised if the strip sander was capable of doing it. IMHO
I guess the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is true. Even though I've read about in ShopSmith's catalog and online, I had no idea how versatile it is. Thanks so much for your demonstration.
I totally get it. Thanks for watching. Scott
You keep showing me new ways of using a ShopSmith, I just want you to know that I’m glad to own ShopSmith tools.
It's my pleasure and we are just getting started! Scott
I clicked on this video because I miss read the title. I thought it said "strip sandy".... You made it interesting anyway. I look forward to your videos and I always learn something new.
Ha! That video is for members only!
I can now tell now being subscribed here is going to cost me money. I might need you phone number so my wife can call and yell at you instead. Lol. I always wanted one but I built a really bad ass powerful 2x72 belt grinder a few years back and never thought I would have a use for this machine after I built it. But I love the way it doubles the belt to get into inside cuts. I built the belt grinder because I watched to much forged in fire. 😄 I must say it has so many uses in wood working I never new. I use it almost daily . Also I have to say I love the pipe. You remind me of my childhood. Dad smoking a whiskey blend in his pipe and pounding out wooden toys and stuff on a Shopsmith. I bet he has built over 1000s of those wooden trains that use to be in a Shopsmith book. They had a craft store for about ten years when I was growing up. I promise you bbn people can make money with those machines. Well keep them coming.
Awesome story. Yeah, those knife grinders look sweet. Perhaps we need to build one for the Shopsmith? Scott
@@MyGrowthRings I have thought about that a few times.
I have one, and I have a leather strop belt on it. I enjoy wood carving and I can get my carving tools absolutely razor sharp. Good for the final polish on lathe tools too.
It really is a handy tool.
@@MyGrowthRings it sure is, I got mine got “free” from a guy that had a bandsaw I wanted, I bought the saw for $125 and he said “just take that thing too”. So I did! My carving knives have a keen edge now!
@@jayknight850 That’s awesome. Free is almost always good.
Great information on the belt/strip sander.
Thanks!
you didn't show the sharpening attachment for the strip sander???
No, because I don’t own it.
@@MyGrowthRings that sharpening attachment is the main reason I got the strip sander. It gets your turning tools razor sharp (Amazon even sells a leather belt that fits the strip sander for that final polish). I tried the attachment for the disk sander, but I had issues getting consistent results.
I actually bought a 520 with jointer/band saw/belt sander/strip sander from a guy just to get the strip sander. I resold all of the other stuff
@@dkite7268 I’ve done similar. We are either very clever or we are really messed-up!
@@MyGrowthRings there’s a very fine line between those
Great Video. Had a chance to buy one for $250 but balked.
What can you do with a Strip Sander that you can't do with the 6" belt sander?
Anything intricate and detailed. I used mine on Sunday.
The strip sander is quite the tool. I was unaware of its possibilities let alone of its serious use, almost of its existence. You know, it would be very interesting to know who or what group have the ideas, who’s responsible not only for the concepts of the many special tools but their manufacture.
Someone is positioning the camera(s), lights, editing and doing a very good job.👍👍
Thanks for the compliments on the video. It's just me and my iPad and iPhone. This video had some auto-focus issues that are new, so I need to get that figured-out. As for the product ideas and designs, Shopsmith Inc. had a couple of super- clever guys and gals working on R&D including Jack Legler, Herald Folkerth, Robert Bartlett, Dave Flora, Jim McCann, Jim Berkeley, and guys like Scott Phillips and Tim Silvers in product management drove a lot of the vision for the launch of the product ideas. Of course, a lot of the original 1950's era tools were the brain-child of a man who rarely gets any attention, Mr. John Edgemond. He, along with Hans Goldschmidt, introduced the Mark V, the bandsaw, the belt sander, the jointer and more.
@@MyGrowthRings That the same Scott Phillips doing the American Workshop on PBS stations?
@@dwightl5863 One and the same. We worked together at Shopsmith for years and even started on the same week in 1987.
@@dwightl5863 Also, I was a guest on one of his early shows. I need to see if I can get the video transferred from VHS to digital so I can share it.
I’ll post a pic in the Community tab.
I am glad to see you reviewing the Shopsmith strip sander. I don't have one and have been considering purchasing one for a long time. I have a Delta 42x1 belt sander that is currently down for parts. I broke a wheel when a piece of wood fell into the sander and became lodged between the wheel and the case. I had a hard time locating a wheel, which got me thinking that if this doesn't work out, I may need to buy another sander. This video just changed my mind about the Shopsmith strip sander. I changed from "If I see one cheap, I'll buy it" to the "next nice used one I see with all the parts I'm going to buy it."
That's what I would do. It's really a handy, simple tool that just works. Scott
My question about SS is, does it use a proprietary belt? Think of the 1-1/4 hole in the SS table saw blades. I think the belt sander belt is a weird size too?
1x42 inches, which is standard and not hard to find.
Thankfully none of the above. The belts are available from several sources and you can use a 5/8” bore blade with a 5/8” arbor. Also, 42” belts are quite common. Check check Amazon.
My Delta Strip 42x1 Belt sander is one of the most used tools in my shop. It sits on my bench all the time. You can get all sorts of belts for these. You can get leather belts to make a powered strop and belts for buffing. There are specialty belts for grinding metal. The most unusual thing I have ever done with mine is making ferrules for golf clubs. I had a friend that was really into golf and made clubs. He wanted to test a belt that he had for shaping the ferrules, making them flush with the club's head, and polishing them all at the same time. The belt looked like a thick cloth. It worked like a charm.
Yes, I forgot to mention all of the honing and polishing belts, plus Shopsmith even offers a chisel sharpening jig that attaches to it. I’ve fit a few ferrules onto chisels and pipes before, but never golf clubs.
Yes, I forgot to mention all of the honing and polishing belts, plus Shopsmith even offers a chisel sharpening jig that attaches to it. I’ve fit a few ferrules onto chisels and pipes before, but never golf clubs.
Sorry Scott but I can’t get to the sign up page on membership! Would like to join at six dollar a month level
Larry, do you have a Google account? You'll need to be sure you are logged into a Google account and then click on the link in the video description of any of my recent videos. Scott
Just picked up one of these for $127. With power stand.
NICE! I'd probably take it off your hands for $150...
@@MyGrowthRings I'll try using it first. See if it fits into my DIY regimen. I will say it grinds light metal very well with the belts it came with. At least until the belt joint fails.
I bought a used strip sander with metal wheels and all the parts except the screw goes in the edge of the table. No rust or corrosion and it looks as if it has never been used.
Nice!
I’ve wanted one of these for a long time but never see them on the used market around here. Now I want one even more. Great video Scott. Stew
Keep a close eye on Craigslist. eBay pricing can get way out of hand! Scott
I have seen posts where they said the plastic wheels melt under continuous use. My delta sander has nylon wheels, and until I broke one of them, I never had a problem with them
That's sort of how those things tend to go.
Yes I have had that happen. I have gone to greasing that wheel. After sanding awhile I'll check it to see if it is getting hot. If so I'll re-grease it again. Slower speed helps but it of course affects efficiency.
@@dwightl5863 Which wheel was it?
@@MyGrowthRings The plastic in the rear of the sander. I was doing a project using the inside sanding set-up a lot. The one below the table had to be greased too.
Got ya. You would seriously benefit from the metal wheel.
This was great information. I bought the strip sander a long time ago for a particular project that needed to be sanded on the insides. I haven't used it since, so it was a great refresher and reminder that I could use it for many things if I only thought of it. You provide so much good information on the SS that I'm grateful to have found your channel and happy to support your membership. Again, Thank you!
Thanks so very much, Anne. That green badge looks good on you! Scott
I have a used strip sander. It seems to work fine with the 1 inch strip. I can’t get it to track with the 1/2 inch strip. I notice the upper wheel has some play. What holds it tight?
Hey Jeffrey. There’s really not much to that tracking assembly, but something may be loose. Pull the belt off and perhaps even the wheel and explore. It would only require the removal of a bolt or a snap ring. It would have no problem tracking a 1/2” belt. Scott
That is cool. I bought a Cheap harbor freight strip sander. When you begin your show I thought what does the Shopsmith strip sander do that mine doesn’t, now I’ve got to figure out how to tell my wife that I don’t want the harbor freight strip sander anymore and I want to spend 250 300 bucks on Shopsmith strip sander.
Ha! Yeah, there really is a lot more than meets the eye on this one. The fit and finish are mile beyond most benchtop strip sanders I have seen. Let me know if you need me to create a diversion! Scott
Great video Scott! One of the few SPT I haven't yet been lucky enough to source locally up here. I'm glad you are finally able to get something in return for your hardwork making these videos.
You'll find one eventually. Just make sure you buy it. They have an excellent resale value. I appreciate your contributions to the conversation. Scott
Is the platen necessary for the inside sanding technique? It seems to me that without the platen one could use the flexibility of the sanding belt to slightly round the edges of a piece and get into some tight (as in steep "V" cuts. I know the belt sander instructions mention sanding on the unsupported side of the machine for a similar purpose. Also, you might mention that 1/2" belts are available and belts can be trimmed down to 1/4" width, as shown on one of Nick Engler's videos. BTW I love my strip sander; it is very handy and, because of its lightweight, it is one of the easiest SPTs to install. Love your channel, and I will probably be enrolling. Thanks again, Glen
Great question, and no, as long as you don’t mind a slight lapping of the top edge you can run without a platen for any of the set-ups. And yes, all 1” belts actually contain two 1/2” belts and up to four 1/4” belts!
Robert from Hesperia Ca. I like to sharpen my leigthe tools. However I get confused on how to reverse the belt direction? Great show thank you Bob
It can be done by mounting the sander on the right end of the Mark V and driving from the quill. If you happen to have a PowerPro headstock or a CraftersStation you can simply run the headstock in reverse.
What is your thoughts on the mark v shape attachment? Dad has one but he never could keep the clutches in one. Unless you take the tiniest cut they always slip and burn up. I was just wondering if he got a bad one or of that's just the nature of the beast? I am talking about the speed increases I think they call it. It was the only Shopsmith. tool that he owned that he was not impressed with. I know I am way off topic but I would like your thoughts on it. Being your experience with Shopsmith.
I run my shaper bits in a large router. I made a attachment out of a old Shopsmith carriage it mounts on the end of my Shopsmith holds my router above it then you drop a shop Smith table over it and can adjust your table height with the carriage. It's kind of hard to explain without pics bit works very well. Being able to tilt the table you can make some crazy profiles too.I dont have the space for a dedicated router station. This takes up very little space when not in use.
I made a similar modification to a carriage for a router. I’m a big router fan and am not a fan of the speed increaser. Shaping on a Mark V isn’t too bad and things get better if you add a PowerPro headstock to the mix, but the speed increaser had too many issues and the speed still isn’t high enough for routing. Scott
Does the subscription eliminate commercials?
Yes, but only on the private, member-only videos. That would be a neat feature that perhaps RUclips will add at some point. Scott
As far as I’m concerned subscribing to the channel for three bucks a month is a no brainer. I would suggest you offer all of your content on the subscription process because people like me who watched it will come back to it just for the specific instructions of how to maintain our Shopsmith. So if it was all your contacts or only the stumped Q&A it wouldn’t matter three bucks a month No brainer. The information is cheaper than the cost of a magazine subscription, and I can’t get a magazine subscription that has the content about Shopsmith. I learn by watching Better than reading, so your show me the format is perfect for me. Thanks for all the education.! Where do I sign up?
I appreciate that perspective and your support. You can click on the "Join" button that appears next to the "Subscribe" button on a PC, or you'll find a link in the video description that says something like "Join this channel to get access to perks". Scott
Great video as always. Your camera angles have gotten far better thank you.
Question - What is the purpose of the carriage bolt/ knurled knob on the left side of the table at the end of the split that is also found on bandsaw table as well?
Yes, it's the exact same part as the aluminum bandsaw table. It's called the table leveling bolt and it's there to make sure that the two sides of the split stay in alignment. Scott
I gotta ask: if you had to choose between belt sander, strip sander which would you choose? In that same line, how would you rank the SPTs? I think the bandsaw is usually the winner, but watching all of your reviews I know Im not the only one who finds himself thinking my toolset is incomplete! FYI I have the bandsaw (planning to upgrade with the carter bearings soon!) and jointer but no other SPTs...
And of course, lets not forget just to complete my comments with random but always relevant, ROUTER STUFF!
Before I answer, which of your kids to you like most?
@@MyGrowthRings am i corresponding with scott markwood or king solomon?
@@toddharshbarger8616 Ha! Ok, here’s a serious answer: It depends upon what you plan on building. I originally thought the strip Shandor was a bit of a novelty and useful only to craft people, but have been surprised how convenient it has been. That said, I’ve sanded miles and miles of wood with my belt sander. So for my applications, I find the 6 inch belt sander more indispensable. If I could only have one SPT, there is no doubt in my mind that I would choose the bandsaw. Interesting question, Scott
@@MyGrowthRings yes, i appreciate your sensativity to the fact that the question oversimplifies and tends to really minimize the merrits of each tool. As you have answered, i think you have to consider the amount of use in this question and to point, eventually i have little doubt i will own all the options! I have wasted alot of money on tools when i first began - some have done videos to this point - kregg jigs and guides come to mind - but i think it is extremely useful to hear from someone with your experience a kind of prioritizing considering most do not have the money to get everything up front. I like stumpy nubbs advice - buy a really nice 1/2” wood chisel!
@@toddharshbarger8616 Amen to most everything Stumpy says! Yeah, those kinds of questions are fun on one level, but since there are so many paths that a woodworking hobby or career can follow there's not a "One size fits all" or even a "One size fits MOST" answer.
I converted my old shop smith to 2x48 belt grinder to make knives .
I would be interested in seeing your configuration (or at least a description)
I had an old sander that had undersized motor on it I used mandrel with a 5/8 inch collar that my six inch wheel is mounted on.The grinder sets vertically on a board which is clamp to the outfeed table on the left side.I like having a variable speed .
I'd love to see that. Have you ever shot a video of it or have pics? Scott
Yes I do where do I send it too
scottmarkwood(at)gmail(dot)com
One thing you didn't mention was slack belt sanding. I have a cheap 1x30 belt sander that I primarily use for metal working. I really like the subtle curves I can create by using the slack of the belt (above the platen on mine).
It seemed to me that you could run one or the other of those configurations without a platen if you wanted to use the slack of the belt. Have you ever done that, and woulf there be any issue with it?
Also, I've seen some higer end sanders thag have a thicker rubber "contact wheel" that you can bare down on to remove material quickly. I wounder if yhat upper wheel could be used like that, or if the tensioning mechanism wouldn't allow enough pressure to make it worthwhile.
Thanks in advance.
You are right about slack sanding and yes, you can do it with this sander. I would remove the table if I were to slack sand most of the time. You can actually put quite a bit of force on the upper wheel as long as the sander has the metal wheel. The plastic one... not so much. Scott
One of the only accessories that I don't own. I have multiple of most of the accessories but not one of these.
If you wind up stumbling across one on Craigslist don’t hesitate.
So what would you recommend next a strip sander or a molder tool
That depends entirely on what you hope to build. If you need to make molding than the strip sander goes on the back burner. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings I have only build three thing ever since I got my shopsmith I have all most all the tooling for it.
@@willimanfreeman23 We need to change that! Do I need to issue you a challenge?
@@MyGrowthRings you can just keep in mind lumber is not cheap. I do really like your channel it's been helping me get through some thing. One of it was my shop was broken in to and walk of with $15000 of tool
Likely not my shopsmith. That one thing I have never regretted buying.
@@willimanfreeman23 Oh no! That’s been one of my fears. What tools do you need?
It looks like you could almost convert a band saw to do the same function.
It has been done, but unfortunate not with a Shopsmith bandsaw because of the auto-tracking feature. I believe that Sears used to sell a kit for strip sanding on one of their bandsaws. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings Since I own 13 shopsmiths and about 6 or 8 bandsaws I probably could spare one to experiment on.
Uh... yeah you could! You actually have me beat in number of Shopsmiths, but I've got more bandsaws. How many routers do you own?
@@MyGrowthRings I don't know for sure but I think about ten. I'm a tool junkie. LOL
Got ya beat there too. Sorry, I know it’s not a competition. (But I’m winning)
I just found a used strip sander. I used it for the first time. I thought the tracking was good, but as I used it the belt sanded through the cover. Did I make an obvious mistake?
Bummer! Sounds like either the tracking was off or that you needed to keep an eye on the belt as you applied pressure. Scott
I enjoy using my strip sander but I've left the idler near the front. Is there an advantage to the wheel in back?
Meaning that the belt is going up behind the platen? If that is the case the abrasive is grinding away at the idler wheels. Or am I reading this wrong? Scott
@@MyGrowthRings You are correct & I agree there must be some wear on the wheel. But I leave the idler wheel up front with the abrasive riding on the wheel and I haven't noticed any great wear problems. Maybe I don't use it enough. Is there any other reason not to leave the wheel there? Is there any other advantage to moving it to the back position?
@@danweirich3709 I wouldn't be as easy to change belts in the internal sanding configuration.
Just wear.
#Truth
Scott, I’m wondering what is the intended use of the bolt with the knob? I would also like to know your opinion of the strip sander sharpening jig for lathe tools.
The bolt is for ensuring that the table remains flat where the slot is machined in it. The chisel sharpening jig is quite effective, but the challenge is it is driven backwards, meaning if you only have a Mark V to power it you’ll have to mount it on the right end of the machine, where the tail stock goes. If you happen to have a PowerPro headstock or a CraftersStation you can power it in reverse while turning, otherwise you can’t sharpen while turning without quite a bit of hassle. Scott
See I got this “thing” where I buy shopsmiths I find deals on. So running it backwards while turning should not be a problem. Thanks for your input Scott.
I knew I liked you.
While watching your video on installing the belt. I thought, why don't you put the belt on the top wheel, push down and then put it on the idler wheel.
When reinstalling the belt, you did exactly that.
Yeah, I go back and forth. It's sort of one of those 6 of one, half dozen of the other sort of things. Scott
Anyone have some ideas about how to make this into a free-standing benchtop sander. I need a sander ready to go all the time. Links would be great.
I've seen this done in Shopsmith's own R&D lab but they never brought it to market. It's pretty straightforward. Scott
Robert from Hesperia Ca. I have had to replace my drive. spindle twice ? The bearing separated from the shaft! What could be the cause.
Which spindle exactly? On the strip sander?
Have ever known of anyone lowering a shopsmith I'm 5'5 and feel it is to tall.
Yes, and I’ve even know folks who lowered it enough to use while they were in their wheelchair. Actually you have two choices: You can build a platform to stand on that will lift you, or you can remove the sheet metal legs with five screws each and mount the machine on a base. The handy thing about that idea is you can add drawers and storage to it. Let me know what you decide to do. Scott
Could you put the Q&A videos on a separate channel, so they don't mess up the metrics on the main channel. :)
Or possibly look into doing Patreon , I don't think they take as big a cut. :)
Yes, I considered both of those options and have been a Patreon patron of a half dozen channels for years and even started a My Growth Rings campaign, but then they started booting accounts and put a bad taste in some potential supporter’s mouths. The problem with the second channel approach is I would be back and ground zero in establishing monetization on that channel and there’s just to much effort required to do even these short vids that I can’t see that making sense. Keep thinking though! Scott
I was going to suggest the same thing (patreon).
There is so much useful information is in those stumped videos. I would hate to lose them as a resource for new Shopsmith owners, who may not realize what they are missing.
Patreon, or something similar, let's established viewers "subsidize" new viewers until they become established viewers, if that makes sense.
If you don't sand on the back of the platen, what is the advantage of running the strip on the back? It seems like you could do the same without changing the wheel. I have to admit I used it to sand the inside of a piece that was too large to get all the inside surfaces on the front side. My strip sander came to me that way and I just assumed it was there to use. I actually try not to break the rules because I'm a real novice and safety conscious. It did work for me though.
The biggest concern with sanding on the back is safety, but it's difficult to be accurate there as well because the belt is actually being held away from he platen on the back. As long as you pay attention you should be just fine doing what works for you. The advantage to running the belt that way is that you can use it to sand within an opening. This wouldn't be possible otherwise. Scott
Scott, when not in use, do I need to remove tension from the sanding belt?
You don’t have to, but it’s a good best practice.
@@MyGrowthRings my machine came with a belt on it that had to be 1984 original and it broke as it sat after one use.
@@giljusino That’s the exception. If it is going to go unused for a long period it is best to untension it.