Tiger
Member
Do you go by number of pens made, feel? I wash mine in a little detergent every now and then, it seems to last forever especially the higher grits.
When is it time to replace micro mesh?
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BSea
Member
I had a set that was about a year old that still worked. I finally replaced it, and the new set worked a lot better. So even though it's working, doesn't mean it's not time to replace it.
lorbay
Member
Its just like sand paper, use it like it was someone elses. Don't see the point in putting it into socks and trying to wash them. JMTSW.
Lin.
Lin.
wyone
Member
I have used mine quite a bit since I started.. and they still work, but Woodcraft has them on sale this week, so I bought another set just because. I have not opened the package yet, but they were like $5 off so I thought it was a good idea. 
Lenny
Member
I like to buy the large pads from Wood-N-Whimsies ... they are 3 x 4, so I cut them in half. They last a long time ... BUT they do wear out and it isn't really obvious till you use the new ones.
Tiger
Member
Took your advice and changed them, first thing i noticed was how much quicker the new pads cut, had to remind myself to be gentle. Result was a little bit better than previously but there were still some very fine scratches that i couldn't remove.
Tiger
Member
Agreed.
OOPS
Member
When I took my first pen turning class, I was told that a set of MM lasted about 100 pens. He preferred dry sanding with MM, whereas some people prefer wet sanding, especially on acrylic blanks. Wet sanding would make the MM last longer, IMHO. So I have just tried to go with this as a guide. Having read some of the posts above, it might be a good experiment to try a new pack after 50 pens or so and see if there is a difference in performance.
toddlajoie
Member
I use the smaller (around 2x2 rounded corners) pads. I mark one side with a sharpie (I letter them A-B-C-D-E, so when I eventually drop them, I know what order they go in without the little chart...), and use the unmarked side. I also use them diagonally, so I'm using the corners of the pad only rather than the whole thing, so figuring for random selection of the corner used, they should last quite a while. If I'm thinking that they are wearing out, I try the marked sides, and if it seems significantly different, then I start using the marked sides, and buy a new set next time I get a chance... If I start to question the marked side, I don't bother checking, I just toss them and start using the new set...
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nativewooder
Member
Throw them in a mesh bag and put them in the laundry. I used mine for six years before changing. I went to the MicroMesh site and learned all kinds of info: like the fact that MicroMesh was made for wet sanding, not dry sanding.
SSGMEADER
Member
You are a genius...I am a tad bit color blind so I'm always super super super careful to keep the pads in order of grit. I have no idea why I didn't think to mark them like this.
StuartCovey
Member
I've had my set for well over 100 pens and there still working great. I'm thinking of starting a new set set though, cause a few of them have wear spots on them.
I think it just depends on how you think the condition of the pads are.
FYI I have never washed them.
I think it just depends on how you think the condition of the pads are.
FYI I have never washed them.
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Fatdawg
Member
I usually get a couple years out of a set. I wet sand with them and keep the stored in a container of water, ready to go at all times. When the foam material between the two sides start to degrade, I toss them.
mark james
IAP Collection, Curator
I'm not a very good pen turner so take this with a bit of caution... I believe it was Marko50 who when I mentioned the same problem... suggested I to start with a higher grit. I may have been putting in deeper scratches with lower grit paper than I was able to take out... Just a thought for you to consider.
I was turning Alumilite which is soft, and using wet sanding, but the concept is the same... Start as high in grits as applicable. I have noticed an improvement.
plano_harry
Member
I like Todd's ideas, except i use numbers - it is easier than the alphabet!:tongue:
Each pen, I alternate between numbered side and blank side to even the wear (but his system to validate wear is a good one) I run them until #5 delaminates - that seems to be the one that fails When I do the lathe off sanding, if a pad can take out it's own rotary scratches, I keep using it.
Since I started doing the Texatdurango buffing process, I don't even use the top 4 pads.
Each pen, I alternate between numbered side and blank side to even the wear (but his system to validate wear is a good one) I run them until #5 delaminates - that seems to be the one that fails
When I do the lathe off sanding, if a pad can take out it's own rotary scratches, I keep using it.Since I started doing the Texatdurango buffing process, I don't even use the top 4 pads.
Tiger
Member
Thanks Mark, i start at the 400 grit MM, i'll try starting at 600 (green) although i know it will take a little longer to sand by starting at this point.
toddlajoie
Member
I settled on the alphabet so I wouldn't think that the number had anything to do with the actual grit, as when I cut my sandpaper into strips, I label any that don't retain the original grit marking with a number (4=400, 8=800, 12=1200) and I can't keep 2 different systems of numbers separate in my head...
Tiger
Member
A previous post reminds me, can you do anything when the sanding pad comes off the foam ie can you re-glue it? This happened to me, there was still enough grit on the pad it had just lost its adhesiveness to the foam backing.
toddlajoie
Member
you can use it without the foam. They sell micromesh in sheets (wolftat here in IAP used to sell full sheets, probably still does, but I haven't seen him mention it latetly...) and while they are slightly different (no colors, all grey, but marked on the back like sandpaper) they work just fine with no foam backing. That said, I do prefer the foam pads, probably because I'm used to them.
Of course as others have said, I consider delaminating from the foam an indication that it's time for a new set.
As for re-attaching it, you would need an adhesive that was VERY flexible, or it likely wouldn't work out well.
Of course as others have said, I consider delaminating from the foam an indication that it's time for a new set.
As for re-attaching it, you would need an adhesive that was VERY flexible, or it likely wouldn't work out well.
BSea
Member
The 1st set I bought about 4 years ago didn't have the delaminating problem. But every set after that 1st set has had that issue. So I think I'm using my last set of MM. I'll go to abranet and high grit sandpaper from now on. I now polish with a beall buffing system, so I rarely use any pads past the tan (4th) pad anyway.
Tiger
Member
Thanks Todd and Bob, I've been using the buffing system as well, much faster when I get it to work right.