easy as hell I soaked a paper towel in some rubbing alch. and let it sit on the box for maybe 5-10 min. the paper came right off with a little scraping of a knife. I am hoping the light sanding does the trick seems like it will.
Paul Doug said:
Not bad at all. How long did it take and how hard was it? Like like some light sanding should put you there.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I really started this to see how easy it could be done. I am fairly new to cigar boxes, and yes buying a wood box is best. I just do not have lots of free time and the place I go to rarely has cheap (under $6) wood boxes, if at all.
So I used the alcohol approach and i am posting some pics' on the result
The cigar shops I visit sell me paper covered boxes for 2 dollars and wood boxes for 6. If you can get a pretty wood box with nice graphics...for a good price.... I'd suggest buying a real wood box.
gotta say, in the past I never really understood the desire to strip paper off. I always liked the decoration of it. . . . however: I've changed my mind drastically after applying the belt sander method to a few. I think the paper has deadened the tone MUCH more than I ever expected. PLUS the added advantage of thinning the tops can really contribute to the resonance.
In my experience - thinned tops with no paper covering = nice "banjo-ey" tone - but with more sustain than a "real" banjo
One other thing I just thought of hours later.If your sanding the paper off, DONT ASSUME that the box is square and that the sides are perfectly flat.I've noticed a lot of boxes that cave in in the middle of the sides ,top AND bottom that you cant see by eye until you start sanding. If your not watching closely, you'll sand the outer edges too deep and not hit the middle at all. I say this after doing it $#&^*%#$^* many times,,,,,,,,,,
Be careful that the top is actually solid construction. Sometimes the top is made of multiple pieces of wood that are only held together by the paper! I don't actually know this first hand...just horror stories.
Hi Colin,
If you already have some boxes, your half way there, why not try offering the ones you do'nt like for a swap in "Classified and swaps",just post a picture of them and see what happens!.
colin mcgrath said:
thanks for the ideas. I have used a plain wood one before; just had some boxes I do not like the design on. Just wanted to see if this was worth my time.
I build that way sometimes if I'm low on "wood" boxes.
I just lightly sand the paper off AFTER I've pulled off as much as I could beforehand.
But yes, you HAVE to be careful and check what your sanding every few seconds.
I also use boxes bought at craft shops which I prefer when I can.
Hobby Lobby carries inexpensive boxes that I've found to be easy to work with.
thanks for the ideas. I have used a plain wood one before; just had some boxes I do not like the design on. Just wanted to see if this was worth my time.
Replies
Paul Doug said:
So I used the alcohol approach and i am posting some pics' on the result
DSCN4126.JPG
DSCN4127.JPG
DSCN4128.JPG
In my experience - thinned tops with no paper covering = nice "banjo-ey" tone - but with more sustain than a "real" banjo
If you already have some boxes, your half way there, why not try offering the ones you do'nt like for a swap in "Classified and swaps",just post a picture of them and see what happens!.
colin mcgrath said:
I just lightly sand the paper off AFTER I've pulled off as much as I could beforehand.
But yes, you HAVE to be careful and check what your sanding every few seconds.
I also use boxes bought at craft shops which I prefer when I can.
Hobby Lobby carries inexpensive boxes that I've found to be easy to work with.
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