Micro Mesh Question

[Wright]

Should you cross sand MM after each grit?

 

[HoratioHornblower]

Yes, for anything that I sand with while the lathe is running, I cross sand with it off. It makes a big difference! (except for polishes)

David

 

[Wright]

Thanks, glad to know it is not a waste of time! After MM I use Novus 2 then Novus 1.

 

[Kaspar]

By cross you mean vertical (or longitudinal,) "with the grain" sanding, right?

Yes, through 4000 mm. I don't see it's necessary from 6000 through 12000.

 

[Bowl Slinger]

I cross sand with every other stage. It does make a remarkable difference. As you are admiring your creations, your eyes follow the radial lines and you cant easily see the linear lines. After the12000 stage if you do not linear sand you can see the fine lines under magnification and especially under florescent lighting.

 

[Wright]

Yes, I meant sanding with the grain. It is really not that much more time involved, I work slow anyway. It means more to my that when a pen leaves my shop I know that I have a quality pen that will last and the customer is happy. Do any of you use Novus 1 for a final polish on Resin and is there any better? What about Buffing after final polish?

 

[azamiryou]

Yes, I meant sanding with the grain. It is really not that much more time involved, I work slow anyway. It means more to my that when a pen leaves my shop I know that I have a quality pen that will last and the customer is happy.

The vast majority of customers won't know the difference. If it's about making the customers happy and saving time, skip the longitudinal sanding.

For me - and from what you say, I think for you - my goal is a little loftier: I want me to be happy with the finish. And I find I'm happier with it if I do longitudinal sanding between every grit.

For you, I say: experiment. Make two pens, one right after the other, from the same wood and same conditions except the sanding. Then do one one way, and do one the other, and compare the results under whatever lighting and magnification you care about. If one is unsatisfactory, you can quickly re-do it using the other process. Either way, you'll have your answer.

 

[GoatRider]

I think the biggest reason to do longitudinal sanding is to make sure you've used each grit for long enough. Sand longitudinal with one grit, then you circular sand with the next grit until you can't see the longitudinal scratches, then sand longitudinal with that grit.

Anyways, I've never used MM, I sand down to 1200 then use jeweler's rouge or one step. That works fine for acrylic, but I think I can still see some scratches on trustone. Next time I do trustone I'll try MM.

 

[Wright]

Thank all of you for your input on this subject. Every day is a learning experience.