Abrasive sizes

[Triarius]

Something puzzles me:

I normally use wet or dry sandpaper in grits 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000. All are readily available.

When I get Flex-i-file sanding bands, they don't even offer 400 grit, and start at 160, then go to 240. I've never used any thing coarser than 320 except on wood and metal. I consider 320 only for major shaping and stock removal. What on earth do people use those coarse grits for?

Most of the suppliers of sanding sticks start at 320, but go from that to 600.

I do a lot of sanding. Going from 320 to 600 is a ridiculous amount of work, it takes forever to get the scratches out. Most of the time, I start at 400, or even at 600. I probably use more 400 grit than any two other grits combined.

Why does almost no one supply sticks or film in 400 grit?

[little-cars]

The mylar backed abbrasives are availalbe in a 400 grit, K&S do the sheets as part of a general pack.

Personally I get these made up into padded sanding stocks, but I have never stocked the 400grit.

I get them made in 150, 280, 320 & 600 grit and everyone seams to be happy with these.

I did have an occasion when the orange 320 grit was not availalbe and I took the Yellow instead, that was probably 360.

If you want a full range of grits I would look at the Micro mesh system.

The craft set gives you grades 1500 down to 12000 on 2" square pads which are OK for flat areas and can be bent for wing roots andleading edges etc..

It can also be used wet to reduse ware, it also last a lot longer than the mylar backed abrasives.

Also available as sheets and sanding sticks....

[Triarius]

The mylar backed abbrasives are availalbe in a 400 grit, K&S do the sheets as part of a general pack.

K&S is no longer marketing these. They are local, and I called them a few months ago.

I can get 400 grit sheets from almost any auto parts or auto finish store. What I find hard to understand is why only one hobby supplier sells sanding sticks (or anything else) in 400 grit. For that matter, I can't find anyone who supplies mylar backed (that's what the Flex-i-file system is, and what K&S used to sell) 400 grit. But I know it's available (I've found manufacturers, but they only want to sell it by the roll. One roll would probably supply all the members of this forum for several lifetimes.)

I've sent e-mails to the people who make and sell Flex-i-file. They were ignored.

[little-cars]

K&S is no longer marketing these. They are local, and I called them a few months ago.

I can get 400 grit sheets from almost any auto parts or auto finish store. What I find hard to understand is why only one hobby supplier sells sanding sticks (or anything else) in 400 grit. For that matter, I can't find anyone who supplies mylar backed (that's what the Flex-i-file system is, and what K&S used to sell) 400 grit. But I know it's available (I've found manufacturers, but they only want to sell it by the roll. One roll would probably supply all the members of this forum for several lifetimes.)

I've sent e-mails to the people who make and sell Flex-i-file. They were ignored.

Interesting, I noticed that they are not on the K&S web site, but they are still in catalogues over here in the UK, but I don't knowwhat the stock levels are....

I can make enquiries to see what the minimum number of angle headed sanding sticks I need to buy to be able to get them manufactured in 400 grit if that is any good ??

Got it wrong last time it's the grey not the orange that is the 320, bit id shows that other grades are available.

I have a feeling that your best option longer term is to get hold of a micro mesh sheet that fits between the 320 and 600.

Depends on which numbering sytem flexi-files use for the grit size, but assuming it's the ansi, then 400 is equivalent to standard micro mesh at 1500 grade, and on the stiffer backed material 240MX grade is slightly finer.

[DutyCat]

One of my LHS owners told me a couple of days ago that the Micro-Mesh sanding pads and sanding/polishing cloth sets (the one that goes to 12000 grit) are no longer available. ?????? Sad if true, because they are just the trick for NMF surface prep.

[Triarius]

Dutycat, I've learned from experience that "they are no longer available" from even the best LHS folks often only means that either their distributor is not carrying them, or they chose not to buy them because the price went up and they don't sell fast enough to justify the shelf space. Look online and see what you find.

I have a friend in the automotive painting industry whom I should see next month. I'll ask him about it.

[TheRealMrEd]

Go to http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=676 . They have all kinds of goodies: pads, micromesh, sanding shapes, etc.!

[72linerlover]

Hi, Triarius.

Probably I am missing something due to the language, but I normally don't buy sanding sticks; I make them by myself.

I cut a piece of plasticard of the proper thickness for the required flexibility and of the proper wide for each use. Than stick on the grade of sandpaper I need, with some double adhesive band and contour with a blade.

Sometimes I do the same with aluminum profiles, instead of plastic if rigidity is a must.

Regards

Euge

[Chorse6]

One of my LHS owners told me a couple of days ago that the Micro-Mesh sanding pads and sanding/polishing cloth sets (the one that goes to 12000 grit) are no longer available. ?????? Sad if true, because they are just the trick for NMF surface prep.

Think Micromark still carries it. I recently bought some and saw it on their latest catalog.

Harbor Freight Tools has a lot of fine sandpaper. Cheap.

Be careful about determining grits.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1...erno/tnt134.htm

[Triarius]

Hi, Triarius.

Probably I am missing something due to the language, but I normally don't buy sanding sticks; I make them by myself.

I cut a piece of plasticard of the proper thickness for the required flexibility and of the proper wide for each use. Than stick on the grade of sandpaper I need, with some double adhesive band and contour with a blade.

Sometimes I do the same with aluminum profiles, instead of plastic if rigidity is a must.

Regards

Euge

Euge, I've been doing that for years—but sanding sticks are less work and more convenient. I even do that with the Flex-i-File film: glueing 400 grit wet or dry to worn-out strips.

BTW: your English is better than most "native" speakers of that language.

[Andy Mullen]

Craft kit still available direct from the Manufacturer - Micro-Surface

Heres something useful I got with my first MicroMesh Craft Kit

[RedHeadKevin]

I was the same way with files. I couldn't get a decent sanding stick below about 320 grit. Until I found a Beauty Supply store in town. They had nail files, which could be used wet-or-dry, with a plastic spine and cushioning, in grits down to about 1200. And they were a dollar a piece. GREAT investment.

[David Hingtgen]

Many drug stores and the like with a small model kit section will often have Testor's 5-pack of sanding films. Often the only place I can find them.

PS---I find TwoBob's sanding stick to be extraordinarily useful. Not sure exactly what grits are on it, but I imagine it's got 600/400/320.

Edited March 17, 2010 by David Hingtgen