Thread: Sandpaper

Well, I was looking at ordering some sandpaper online to start polishing the eBay special I picked up awhile back. I'm not too sure what I need as far as what grits and also what type of sandpaper. It seems like there are quite a few kinds, and also a ridiculous number of websites that sell sandpaper over the internet.

I'd watch Bill's CD, but the post office worker thoughtfully broke it in half on its way to my home, so my wife had to send it back for me, and I'd like to have the paper here someday sooner rather than later as the razor is on its way. I figure, I have quite a bit of downtime, might as well spend it rubbing a blade with a sheet of rough paper :P Can anyone enlighten me on what to shop for (and maybe a little beginning technique?)

There is a sanding tutorial here: The Making of a MINTY W&B Meatchopper

and an older thread here: Following Bill Ellis' advice. More tutorials in the older threads if you search.

I found sandpaper on line to be much cheaper to buy:

1. Caswell Canada (they have a sale, very cheap $2.50 Canadian for a pack of 10 sheets). Good quality SC wet/dry and did I mention very cheap. I get 120, 240, 320, 400, 600, 1000 and some 1200. Most of the use is on the 120 and 240 grits, with 320, 400 and 600 a close second.

2. Sandpaper.ca Sandpaper for $5 CDN for 8 sheets (higher grits only 7 sheets) but they have paper to 3000 grit. Excellent quality German made sandpaper. This one lasts longer than the usual SC wet/dry paper. I got 800, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000.

Great info, Vlad. Thanks for sharing.

I use sandpaper only. :
180, 240, 400, 800, 1200, 2000 grits. Works just fine most of the time.

One tip, buy the best you can get,or afford,it cuts quicker and lasts longer
3M wet and dry is a good one ,if you are using wet and dry use it wet as the water cleans the metal away so the paper dosn`t clog up as quick
Kind regards Peter
PS I think that is three tips for the price of one ,see your in front already

Thanks for posting those thread links, Vlad. My search-fu is weak and I was pulling my hairs out trying to find information like that.

Now to start over armed with the tips contained in those threads.

I use WD40 as a wetting agent
Tony

Originally Posted by bg42

One tip, buy the best you can get,or afford,it cuts quicker and lasts longer
3M wet and dry is a good one ,if you are using wet and dry use it wet as the water cleans the metal away so the paper dosn`t clog up as quick
Kind regards Peter
PS I think that is three tips for the price of one ,see your in front already

Wow, thanks for the links, and what a beautiful job on the W&B. Really a gorgeous piece.

I just ordered my wet/dry sandpaper from sandpaper.ca (220,320,400,600,800,1000,1500,2000,2500) and noticed that they also carry 5 micron and 2 micron micro-grit sandpaper (10000 and 12000 grit, respectively). It was 10 bucks for both and I figured it might turn out to be a nice final step before MAAS. I'll let you all know

Does anyone have any experience with fine grit sandpaper like this?

Originally Posted by bg42

3M wet and dry is a good one ,if you are using wet and dry use it wet as the water cleans the metal away so the paper dosn`t clog up as quick

I think water is a bad idea. It would be too easy for it to lead to rusting.

Originally Posted by portal5

I use WD40 as a wetting agent

I use 3 in 1 oil.