Thread: Understanding Micro Mesh

Originally Posted by HNSB

If you haven't used it, there's a pretty good chance that you will love it when you do.
I had been using fine grit sandpapers and steel wool before finally buying some micromesh. It made me wish that I had done it sooner.
Now I go from 600 grit paper to micromesh, and don't use steel wool for anything.

If you're new to micromesh it might be helpful to find a micromesh color chart on the internet and print it out.
None of the stuff I have has the grit printed on it, and it took awhile to learn which order to use the colors.

Did a Google search and found a link to check out
Will this color chart be the right one for us ?

http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/refe...olor_chart.htm

Rick

That will work, at least for the stuff that comes mounted to a pad like in the woodcraft link above.

For the Micro products to work for you need to know what their product is in relation to other grits, They are not the same!
Grit comparison
Then you can fit them into the proper order. I was in industry and it took us a wile to figure this out.

These would be useful in cleaning up old blades before buffing then, right? I have a couple that need work and am thinking about beginning the journey.

Micro mesh would work in leu of buffing for the hand sanders. A buffer, also known as the most dangerous tool in the shop, will take a razor from start to finish...just like hand sanding. I personally feel that everyone who wants to get into restoring razors should do at least one by hand. Heck, I still hand sand one from time to time.

Originally Posted by TopCat

I purchased the 3M variety pack which work great. I asked a 3M rep to convert the micron grades into grit grades which i found helpful. For those interested:

30 micron = 340 grit
15 micron = 650 grit
9 micron = 1100 grit
3 micron = 1500 grit
2 micron = 1700 grit
1 micron = 2000 grit

So how is it that a shapton at 'almost' 1 micron (.92) is 16k but a 1 micron diamond powder is 28k and a 1 micron 3M sandpaper is 2k grit.

Diamond Powder's
Micron \ Grit
Diamond Powder 0-1/2 Micron 60000
Diamond Powder 0-1 Micron 28000
Diamond Powder 0-2 Micron 14000
Diamond Powder 0-3 Micron 12000
Diamond Powder 2-4 Micron 8000
Diamond Powder 0-5 Micron 5000
Diamond Powder 0-6 Micron 4000
Diamond Powder 4-8 Micron 3000
Source

Micro Mesh Grits
Micron \ Grit
2 12000
3 8000
4 6000
5 4000
8 3600
9 3200
12 2400
15 1800
30 1500
Source

The micro mesh looks expensive, $10.80+postage in Australia for a 150 x 300 mm sheet.

Could you use a diamond powder the same way (4-8 down to the 0-3 micron powders), for buffing and teh final sanding of blades etc?

Not meaning that the powder is a mesh of course lol, but it comes in the same sorta grit's and is still intended to be used as an abrasion for polishing and sanding.

That could be a silly idea lol but its worth me asking!

Would 10 sheets of the micro mesh out last 100ct of diamond powder?

Think the best thing abouT micro mesh is that you can just wash it off and reuse it...it lasts longer than regular sand paper.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

We have been reading posts about using Micro-Mesh abrasives for quite some time now but it is only very recently that I have decided to investigate. Below is a link where I have begun to research this abrasive.

If anyone would like to help us understand this magic abrasive, please speak up. Thanks

Jerry


Micro-Mesh Types : MICRO-SURFACE FINISHING PRODUCTS, INC

I have been using the MM soft touch pads for over 5 years for pen turning on my lathe. There are 8 grits starting at 1500 grit to 12000 grit. What I learned about them is that when you are finishing a piece on the lathe, slow down the speed to about 800rpm and apply the pad with a light touch. I have also used them for polishing up a couple antique razors too. When using them for polishing a straight razor, you don't have to apply much pressure - let the grit and pad do the work. After a couple uses, rinse them in water and allow to air dry and that rejuvenates your grit. You can also dip them in water use them for wet sanding. Excellent product!

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Micro mesh would work in leu of buffing for the hand sanders. A buffer, also known as the most dangerous tool in the shop, will take a razor from start to finish...just like hand sanding. I personally feel that everyone who wants to get into restoring razors should do at least one by hand. Heck, I still hand sand one from time to time.

I hand sand all the time except when finishing a pen or some other turning project on the lathe, I slow the lathe down to about 300 rpm.
Nice thing about Micro Mesh, you don't have to apply a lot of pressure to the pad when sanding.

Originally Posted by FacialDirt

These would be useful in cleaning up old blades before buffing then, right? I have a couple that need work and am thinking about beginning the journey.

Absolutely!!