Abrasives in woodturning and woodworking

[Cutting Crew]

Hi all,

I've been asked to do an article on the abrasives used by woodturners and woodworkers. This review will go on the Creative Woodturning web site and be copied to the woodturning press.

All the information sheets I've had that came with the abrasive samples from various companies tell me the good points about their particular brand, but I'd like to find out the experiences and preferences of the people that matter, the end user.

I would welcome your views on the abrasives available in the UK today.

CC

 

[Anonymous]

I use Klingspor for all my cabinet work. They have a good range of grits and some are velcro backed.

Andy

 

[trevtheturner]

Hi, CC,

For faceplate work on the lathe where I can I use the 'power sanding' method with the Skelton velcro pads and discs - discs down to 320 grit, not aware of any brand name for the abrasive discs supplied by Axminster. I then usually finish off using Vitex 400 and Hermes 500, hand held.

For other work I use the Vitex range down to 400 grit. I find that these papers cut well, are consistent and have a reasonable life. The Hermes 500 works well for a final finish and is also useful for cutting back sealers and lacquers when wire wool is not appropriate, but by its fine nature does not last long!

Trev.

 

[Cutting Crew]

Hi all,

Thanks to Trev and Andy for their input, I was beginning to think that everybody out there was that good you didn't need to use abrasives.

When doing demos or teaching I always try to describe abrasives as being just as important a tool as anything else in the workshop, not just a bit of sandpaper.

Andy, I recently visited the Klingspor factory in Worksop to learn a little about what goes into the manufacture of abrasives, it's not quite rocket science but it's not far off. The whole place was spotless and I had a really enlightening visit.

CC

 

[Chris Knight]

I am not a heavy user of abrasives but do find it worthwhile to buy quality stuff as it stays sharp so much longer than cheapo abrasives that just end up burnishing the wood instead of cutting it.

On my Performax drum sander I use Klingspor which seem pretty good. On my ROS I try to get Brilliant (Festool supplied). The cheap generic brown things that I get for my Bosch ROS are useless - blunting in a few minutes. By contrast the brown stuff lasts much better on my belt sander for some reason.

For hand sanding I use garnet paper to 180, then Hermes to 320 (latter usually open-coated as I use it on finishes too)

For finishes mainly, I use wet and dry and Abralon, latter to 4000 grit before burnishing. I find both wet and dry and Abralon last for ages if washed off between sessions.

 

[trevtheturner]

Hi, CC,

Can't resist making this observation, bearing in mind the time you have spent in passing on your advice and expertise on these forums.

It seems pretty sad to me that out of a member list of some 360 "woodworkers" ONLY THREE HAVE BOTHERED to reply to you!
Especially as we could all, no doubt, benefit from your review. Although, do we deserve to benefit from it?

Trev.

 

[Aragorn]

Well, now I feel bad
I got the impression this was aimed more at woodturners, but no - there it is - woodworkers too. Sorry.
I order sanding discs in bulk from Naylors (?) via my local hardware store. These fit my ROS, which is what I use for almost all sanding. Since I don't do much handsanding I just use these discs folded in half for when I do. When I need very fine grits - again it's the local hardware store to buy a sheet or two as and when. And that all applies to turning too. I just use what's around the shop.
There. Not very helpful, but a reply nonetheless!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi CC

Well, now I feel bad
I got the impression this was aimed more at woodturners, but no - there it is - woodworkers too. Sorry.

Ah, sorry but I made the same mistake. It was obviously a senior moment. :roll:

I have only used the excellent metabo discs that came with my ROS and various grades of sandpaper.

I will be interested to read your article. Which magazine is it appearing in?

Cheers
Neil

 

[Aragorn]

Oh no Neil - three senior moments there!
First one, forgetting to log in :wink:
Second one, the same as mine - about the woodturning :roll:
Third one - have a look at CCs original post for where the review will appear

Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Aragorn

Thank you for pointing that out for me.

I'm going to lie down now. :roll:

My excuse was that I had to log out so that I could post the "updated date" for the tool stores thread. :wink:

Cheers
Neil

 

[Alf]

Sorry, just can't raise any enthusiasm for abrasives Just use Hermes HCAB and PSF, maybe the odd sanding sponge and webrax where required. Grip-a-disc (I think it is. The one with the cushioned bit on the replacement discs, rather than on the holder) on the lathe, which is excellent. I did try that J-Flex stuff for a while, but I wasn't sufficiently impressed to feel it worth paying the extra.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Cutting Crew]

Hi all,

Mant thanks for the replies to the abrasives question. The suppliers of abrasives in the UK have taken the review very seriously, I have samples in from just about every company that makes abrasives or converts it to discs, rolls etc from overseas stock.

With respect to Alf's reply, I had the good fortune to visit the Klingspor factory in Worksop recently and although making abrasives is not quite rocket science it's not far short. The Klingspor factory itself would have done a F1 team proud, it was almost clinical and the staff were extremely helpful. Apart from the varying grit sizes we all know about, there are many different types of grit, all bonded in different ways, onto differing forms of backing, some with specialised coatings, some with open cell spacing to prevent clogging and others specially for soft timbers, the range is massive. Klingspor and companies like them spend millions of pounds on research and development just to improve the product we use, why not take advantage of it.

We've come a long way from the 'sandpaper' that we still refer to, I have samples of a product called 'Abranet' from Mirka, an abrasive that visually looks like fine netting coated with abrasive, it was originally developed for the automotive industry. It was not only designed to improve cutting performance but also as a benefit to the health and safety of the people using it by reducing the dust from 'sanding' to almost zero.

Regards CC

 

[Anonymous]

Morning.
I use 3M 60/120/150/220/360 and Mirox 180.
The 3M is fine, except that 1/2 sheet leaves about a 2mm gap on the base of the ROS. (Makita)

 

[Jaco]

I did log in, but encountered a DATA BASE ERROR - hence the Guest.