Thread: Balsa Prep

Originally Posted by pinklather

... More guys seem to complain of harshness w/ .25micron spray vs the .5 micron...

At one point, I complained that 0.25micron diamond spray on felt was harsh also. Now, I don't believe that to be true. I learned the characteristics of the surface and the abrasive. That is all.

And, that was my point above in defending balsa and pastes. Until you learn, it won't always turn out best. When you learn to use a surface and abrasive, I don't think there is that much difference. Only characteristics... grit size, grit shape, substrate, surface, surface porosity and sponginess, etc.

Originally Posted by pinklather

Would there be a rule of thumb about how many strokes, assuming .5m diamond on an SRD Felt strop? I'm thinking last strokes after stones.

I would suggest 5 to 10 strokes, with heavy leaning toward the 5 until you get a better sense of it.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I would suggest 5 to 10 strokes, with heavy leaning toward the 5 until you get a better sense of it.

The only thing I would add is that you don't need any more pressure than the weight of the blade.

Originally Posted by Lynn

The only thing I would add is that you don't need any more pressure than the weight of the blade.

Yes, "heavy leaning" was a terrible choice of words, wasn't it?

Dang, you guys are great. I sure appreciate your kind help.