Abrasives Dilemma

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Drcal

Drcal

Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2009
Messages
175
Location
Tampa, Florida
I use Alum oxide sand paper that you buy in a pack of several rolls where the box is the dispenser. It works for me ---- especially for pens and bottle stoppers.

However, I have started turning pepper mills and need to use some larger sheets of abrasives. I had some yellow, cloth back abrasive from Klingspor which I have been using. They are expensive and I can never tell when they are dead. I have a feeling I may be throwing away usable abrasives.
I have 3 question:
I make 9" pepper mills.
#1---- Approximately how many pepper mills can I sand with a 3"X3" piece of yellow from Klingspor?

Everyone seems to like Abranet for sanding and it is often mentioned that they are long lasting.
#2-----Approximately how many Pepper mills can I sand with a 3"X3" piece of Abranet?

#3----with either of these, how do I know when it is really used up?

I guess this is a 4th question:
Does anyone have suggestions for larger pieces of abrasives?

Carmen
Tampa Bay
 
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Carmen...I can tell you what I use, I have no time with Klingspor or Abrenet...but I do hear from many with far more experience that they are great products!! I uses 3.25 rounds from Vince, do pepper mills, couple a month. Your question of dead or not is really good and I'm looking forward to answers!
 
I use a variety of paper. I use abranet sheets for pepper mills and clean them with air, then wash. Seems to last a while.

I do use Vince's and Klingspor 3" disks for bowls.

The paper I like best is Norton 3x because it cuts and leaves the best finish. I cut it on a sandpaper cutter I made and use each sheet only 1 or 2 times. I know there is a cost, but the finish is superior.
 
I'd rather pitch the sandpaper before it is completely clogged than use it after it clogs up. Compare the feel of the paper with a fresh piece. If the one you're using is significantly smoother than the new, it isn't doing its job. Watch how it piles up the sanding dust - once it is clogged or worn, it won't create the dust as quickly.:smile:
 
Carmen, how many pieces you get from a piece of paper is going to depend on how close to finish condition your turned blank is. I have got 100 pens from a set of Abranet sheets when I turn acrylic blanks .008-.010 above the finished size. I only know this because I had an order for 100 pens which used up a new set of 2X8 sheets (cut in half). Note the 400 and 600 do not hold up as well as the rest.
 
Carmen -- abrasives and application are something of an art. But they are like a turning tool -- when it could be sharper, time to use a fresh/new edge.

Aluminum Oxide is a quick blunting form of abrasive. It is low cost for a good reason. The materials used tend to be low cost.

Grit sizes are an approximation between manufactures. Different sources have different specifications for how much over or under sized materials are acceptable with a grit number. If you do not see a specification designation on the package such as "ISO" or a "P" designation, the specifications are indeterminate.

I do clean the abrasive of clogging with a stiff tooth brush or nylon cleaning brush. When it STARTS to loose effectiveness in cutting, time to get a new piece.

Two rules of thumb --
1. Use abrasive paper as if it was free; that is if in doubt get fresh.

2. Worn out 220 is not the same as 320 or 400 grit. Worn out is worn out/clogged and it is time to replace.
 
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