Thread: Hand sanding with oil

I know some of you guys use oil with wet and dry paper as opposed to water. I've always used water, but I was just wondering what the advantages of oil are and what you use.
I do a lot of my sandind in the evening in front of the TV, so WD-40 is out, for some reason my wife hates the smell (must be a chick thing).
Grant.

Hi,

Theres a thread here http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...g-howto-5.html, says you can use grape seed oil instead. Rust is the big disadvatage with water on carbons particularly 01 type steels. I've not tried it but baking soda in the water is supposed to stop it from rusting your work.

3 in 1 oil also works and though it still has a smell, it's not very strong.

I used wd-40 when I was hand sanding and yes it does make a difference... There are generic brands that do not smell...I am not sure where you would get them in AU but we have them at Walmart here...

Gun oil is a nice viscosity and typically odorless. It really helps get a nice polish when you're hand sanding.

I use both oil and soapy water,. I think that one of big advantages of oil is that it allows you to use papers that water would ruin the glue and paper on. If you use oil you can use some of the good quality aluminium oxide papers that were designed to be used dry. Both 3M and Mirka make some gold colored aluminium oxide papers that work great with oil especially in the lower grits. I tend to use silicon carbide wet dry paper for 400 and above and aluminium oxide for the lower grits. I like to use wd40, 3in1, or odorless mineral spirts.


Charlie

What is the benefit of soapy water? I've never done that and can't think of a benefit over oil.

It is just water with a surfactant. That the way I have always done it. I really cant give you good reasons why. I use soapy water and I soak my wet dry paper for about 10 min prior to use. It works for me.

Charlie

I do not think I will ever try to hand sand a blade again. My first attempt at resto was hand sanding a blade in pretty good shape from 100-2000. The low grit was extremely time consuming. I would hate to count how many hours I spent on that blade.

It is cheaper for me to send them out to a buffer guy than spend the time doing it myself. I thought I had to have a mirror finish on razors when I was new, but have come to like the rougher look.

Using the paper 'dry' seemed to work the best for me.

Originally Posted by baldy

I do a lot of my sandind in the evening in front of the TV, so WD-40 is out, for some reason my wife hates the smell (must be a chick thing).
Grant.

my wife hates the smell of it to ! she'd kick me out quick smart if I stared usin wd40 in the house