Thread: Split Mandrel dremel sanding tutorial

Originally Posted by Leighton

Does this technique create wavy lines in the blade like other sanding methods using the dremel?

It can I guess, but for the most part when you progress up in grits making sure that every scratch from previous grits is eliminated by the time you get to polishing compounds you are in good shape.

Originally Posted by GregJDS

Cloth backed sand paper??? hmmmmmm.

Could you just get normal sandpaper and stick some cheap cloth on the back of it with supa gloo. What kind of cloth goes on tha back of it, it must be thin stuff. I like the idea of strengthening the mandrel with cloth.

It might I suppose, the glue would have to be flexible though... I'll try this out.

Originally Posted by GregJDS

Any updates on how this is working out?

Yeah... actually I do have an update, this mandrel method really does work best with abrasives with a strong and flexible backing... micromesh works very well and I've had some good luck with emory cloth in these mandrels.

The emory cloth seems to come int 40, 46, 54, 60 ,70, 80, 90, 100, 120, F and FF

Are these the same as sandpaper grits meaning emory cloth only goes up to 120 grit?

If thats true then i cant seem to find the higher grits, do they exist for order online?

Best regards,
Greg

Originally Posted by GregJDS

The emory cloth seems to come int 40, 46, 54, 60 ,70, 80, 90, 100, 120, F and FF

Are these the same as sandpaper grits meaning emory cloth only goes up to 120 grit?

If thats true then i cant seem to find the higher grits, do they exist for order online?

Best regards,
Greg

I think that was a general statement from like wikipedia or something... I've seen emery in much finer grits... as far as online ordering, it can be hard to tell sometimes what you are getting, so I always buy from a hardware store.

When I get emery at like an Ace hardware or some place like that it is usually backed with a synthetic cloth that is stiffer than a regular fabric, but easily flexible. The grits I've seen are usually finer grits between 450 and 800 or so... also you can look up "crocus cloth" this is another fine grit cloth backed abrasive. All you really need is something that isn't easy to tear, and that doesn't crack at the crease if you fold it. As some have said, it may be possible to back regular paper with cloth somehow, but we'll have to see if that works.

As for some questions on cloth abrasives:

You can find "cloth" backed abrasives if you look for J-weight abrasives on the net. I know that 3M makes cloth backed abrasives from 80-8000 grit (at least that is what they say--it may be hard to actually find 8000 grit though).

I tried the split mandrel with the normal sandpaper also while waiting on emery cloth, doesnt really work like you said.

Does the emery cloth fit into the mandrel when doubled over or do you just use it without the doubled over and glued together thing? because the snadpaper barely fits in when its doubled over.

The split mandrels i got didnt actually fit my dremel, i thought they were secure but they wernt, did you have the same problem? the rod was much longer than a normal dremel mandrel but also much thinner. I think i must have got the wrong size. So thin the screw grip that holds the bits could get a proper grip.

I need to figure out how to fix this mandrel not fitting thing though, but all the split mandrels i see online seem to be the same 3/32 shank, wheras the ones i have that do fit my dremel must be 1/8 inch.
anway ill see what happens when the emery cloth gets here.

Best regards,
Greg

Originally Posted by GregJDS

The split mandrels i got didnt actually fit my dremel, i thought they were secure but they wernt, did you have the same problem? the rod was much longer than a normal dremel mandrel but also much thinner.

Greg,

Try using a smaller collet for the smaller shaft size of your split mandrel.

Regards - Walt

Great idea! It's damned near impossible to find an "official" flapper with a grit above about 230 these days for me. And the ones I buy just wear out too fast - this is a lifesaver!

Hi guys I live in the UK and we can’t get split mandrels here, so I was looking at my darts and the shaft can hold sandpaper. So I sanded the end that fits into the dart down to fit into the Dremel. Now I just use that instead of hand sanding it works exactly the same as the split mandrel just a bit tighter so I don’t use the elastic band.

Added this to the wiki. Feel free to add any additional information.

Split Mandrel Sanding - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Geez! DARTS! what a great idea Exile. Too bad I already ordered some split mandrels.... dang..wish you posted that idea a few weeks ago

Bravo Exile!!!! Great idea. I'm heading downstairs to scrounge around the basement until I find that box of darts. That'll save me a bunch of time and I can "recycle" those darts I haven't used in a few decades. Some fantastic ideas germinate here - that's for sure!