Lathe sanding choices? Your quick recommendations

[Brian Kent]

Your favorite sandpaper sheets? Norton 3x? Mirka Gold? Other?

Your favorite type of sanding disks from Vince's (mainly for the insides of chalices and bowls)? Ceramic? Blue Flex? Gold Line? Cera-Max?

Thanks.
It is time to re-stock most of my grits and I want to hear your current recommendations.
I have been using mostly 3x sheets to 320 and Norton Wetsand for 400 and above.
I like my Mirka Golds on the ROS and have tried the Cera-Max from Vince but would like to try other types. I used the Cera-max up way too fast.

Thanks


(Quick - before they notice their error! 5 sheets of fine sandpaper for only $167.27! http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wetordry-9-in-x-11-in-220-320-400-Grit-Fine-Extra-Fine-and-Super-Fine-Silicon-Carbide-Sandpaper-5-Pack-9088NA/203783594#.UUpUW1s_9SY )

[Ray Bell]

Timely thread, even though I have been doing this for several years, sanding has always been a frustration for me. Called Vince last week and had a long conversation. He is very helpful. I suggest anybody with sanding questions talk to Vince directly.

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

For disks I like both the 3 m & Norton disk from The Sanding Glove. Maybe not as cheap as Vince's but for me I feel they are of very high quality and offer good value in the long run. I don't use any sheet paper but I do use cloth backed strips in either the Purple 3m strips ( again expensive but worth it to me) or the Klingspore brand.

[Jim Burr]

Anything Vince recommends is golden

[Bernie Weishapl]

I use Vince's sanding disc and Norton 3x sheets up to 400 grit. Has always worked well.

[Reed Gray]

I prefer the blue discs from Vince as best abrasive and best price. The Norton Dry Ice is comparable, but more expensive. I did try one of the 3M purple ceramic discs, and though nice, I don't want sticky back discs. Not sure how it holds up, but much longer than most. It is supposed to be a good hand sanding abrasive, but only goes to 220 grit because above that, it isn't cost effective or some thing like that, perhaps it just clogs up. I generally use the Norton 3X and buy it by the jobber box. I did have some of the Klingspor gold cloth backed abrasives, but they didn't seem to cut as fast or as long as the 3X.

robo hippy

[Richard Jones]

I use Vince's standard blue discs and Norton 3x. Come to think of it, sandpaper is about the one thing I don't "experiment" with.

[John Keeton]

Vince's blue discs for power sanding (don't do much of that) and for sheets, I have found nothing to beat the cost/benefit of sandpaper from Online Industrial Supply. I use these AO sheets (http://www.onlineindustrialsupply.com/abrasive-sheets-aluminum-oxide-no-load-9--by-11--paper-sheets.html) through 320, and these (http://www.onlineindustrialsupply.com/abrasive-sheets-silicon-carbide-waterproof-9--by-11--paper-sheets.html) silicone carbide through 2000 grit. At about $.30/sheet, I tear them into 16 pieces on the edge of my TS, and store them in these bins (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6137223&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE). I have since rearranged the content of the bins, but I love this system.

On most forms, I will only use a couple of 150 squares, and one each of 220, 320 and 400 - a total cost of about $.10 per form. That really is a reasonable cost IMO. Online Industrial also carries the Norton 3X, but at a cost of 1/3 the Norton, I don't see how I could justify that difference. I would end up using the exact same number of 'partial sheets' in any event. I get an extremely good surface with the USA paper - no complaints.

[Ray Bell]

Nice set up John. I really need to get more organized like this.

[Brian Kent]

I just wrote to Vince to get his recommendations. Unless he tells me differently I'll get the same grits as one of his starter sets. For sheet goods I'll either get the Norton 3x locally or John's recommendations from Online Industrial when I order.

[Rich Harkrader]

Along these same lines, do you all hand sand, use a rotary sander like the Sorby Sandmaster or power sand? I have been primarily hand sanding, and am not overly happy with my results. I made a rotary sander with parts from Cap'n Eddie, but wonder if I should just give in and power sand. Thanks!

Rich;)

[John Keeton]

Rich, I suspect you will get a wide variety of response to this question, though perhaps not in this thread as it may have nearly run its course on Brian's request for sanding supply sources.

From past threads, it seems most bowl turners power sand, not very many folks use inertia sanders, and those of us that mainly do hollow forms and artsy stuff tend to hand sand a lot.

I think the mistakes most folks make, whether power sanding or hand sanding, are not progressing sufficiently through the grits, and failing to let the sandpaper do the job and, instead, apply way too much pressure.

I spend most of my time with the lower grit - usually 150, until I have a very acceptable surface with no visible scratch patterns, then and only then do I progress to 220. Once at 220, I spend considerably less time, and even less at 320 and 400. I also keep the sandpaper moving to prevent a scratch pattern from forming.

On bowls, of which I do few, I do power sand. But, again, let the sandpaper do its job. Digging in, particularly with the edge of the disc, will produce scratches that are very difficult to remove.

[Noah Barfield]

Who is Vince? Does he have a website?

Thanks!

Noah

[John Keeton]

Vince Welch - http://vinceswoodnwonders.com/

[Michael Mills]

Another + for Vinces for blue flex disc.
http://vinceswoodnwonders.com/

I like psa backed rolls for hand sanding. Stick well but leaves no residue, very uniform grit, and last a long time. Easy to snip off a piece 1/2" wide and stick to your finger for the inside of boxes etc. or attach to a firm sanding pad for larger areas.
Indasa Red Line; comes in 100 ft rolls so I don't except to have to buy more.
https://fintechabrasives.com/sanding-rolls/2-34-rolls-indasa-red-line

[Noah Barfield]

Vince Welch - http://vinceswoodnwonders.com/

Thanks John!

[Vince Welch]

Vince's blue discs for power sanding (don't do much of that) and for sheets, I have found nothing to beat the cost/benefit of sandpaper from Online Industrial Supply. I use these AO sheets (http://www.onlineindustrialsupply.com/abrasive-sheets-aluminum-oxide-no-load-9--by-11--paper-sheets.html) through 320, and these (http://www.onlineindustrialsupply.com/abrasive-sheets-silicon-carbide-waterproof-9--by-11--paper-sheets.html) silicone carbide through 2000 grit. At about $.30/sheet, I tear them into 16 pieces on the edge of my TS, and store them in these bins (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6137223&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE). I have since rearranged the content of the bins, but I love this system.

On most forms, I will only use a couple of 150 squares, and one each of 220, 320 and 400 - a total cost of about $.10 per form. That really is a reasonable cost IMO. Online Industrial also carries the Norton 3X, but at a cost of 1/3 the Norton, I don't see how I could justify that difference. I would end up using the exact same number of 'partial sheets' in any event. I get an extremely good surface with the USA paper - no complaints.

HI John, I have a question for you or anyone who would care to respond. I use to offer 3x5" sheet in BlueFlex. I can offer sheets either 9x11 or 3x5 in Blueflex or SC. Would you have preference? I have real nice 3x5 pads that are firm on one side and soft on the other and that is why I offered the 3x5" before. Send me a PM or email if you care too. Thanks, Vince

[Chip Sutherland]

John

Where did you get your boxes? I found them once but didn't buy them and having been kicking myself. I spent 10 min last night looking thru my grits to find some 400. I really should check my shavings pile because I know there is a can of Deft in there and my thickness tool....might find my package of 400 grit discs.

[Brian Tymchak]

Nice set up John. I really need to get more organized like this.

+1. Great idea John!

[John Keeton]

John

Where did you get your boxes? I found them once but didn't buy them and having been kicking myself. I spent 10 min last night looking thru my grits to find some 400. I really should check my shavings pile because I know there is a can of Deft in there and my thickness tool....might find my package of 400 grit discs.Chip, there is a link in my post for the bins. Is it possible you may have lost your drill press and tablesaw in the shavings pile???:D

[Michael Mills]

Most hobby type stores have these for small item storage. Also a lot of fishing supply stores for small hooks ect. (that's how I found out about them).
These are for my disc from Vince's (2" and 1" disc). Each "section" holds about 12-24 depending on thickness (grit).
About $4 for a stack of four.

[Ray Bell]

Thank you John, received the organizers today and got them mounted. I am going to like these, and will eventually take the panel to the bottom to add other stuff, like my Jeff Nicol steady that just kind of floats around the shop.258339 Now I have a local friend and fellow Creeker who makes some really neat labels. Bill, ummm Bill, are you there?? Funny. when I try to call him I get the message " if your name is Ray sorry but we we have moved to Istanbul" anybody else have this problem? I think it must be something going on with his server!!

[John Keeton]

Looks great, Ray! I think it is a great system, but I do need to work on my labels. I used some paper ones that I think came with the bins, as I recall, but everytime I blow dust off the bins I blow off a label or two! Just need to spend a few minutes doing it a bit better. Ms. Keeton has a neat label maker, too, so I suspect that is the answer.

[Lee Koepke]

I bought a small toolbox for my Vince's Discs. Its wide enough for 2 side by side, I cut small cardboard dividers and number the back of each disc and divider. I have 10 grits and then some space for the foam backer pads. It stays closed / sealed so no dust and its portable. If I had better wall space, I'd use a set-up like John has, but this way, I can put it under my workstation easily.

[Robert Henrickson]

Another possibility. This can hold 2" and 3" 'Vince disks'. About $15 at Home Depot. I do need to label the bins.
.258359