A new blade sharpening pad

C

clearblue

Joined
Oct 22, 2002
Messages
630
I was in Lowe's trying to find something I could place a piece of sandpaper on in order to sharpen a blade without the sandpaper slipping away as I pushed the knife edge across it.

I found a 12"X12" vinyl floor tile that has a sticky backing. I think it cost about .98 cents. Leaving the sticky backing covered, I cut it into (4)-3 inch strips.

Next I cut my sandpaper into 3 " strips. I like the Wet or dry 320,400,600,and 2000 grit sizes.

I then peeled the back off of the sticky side of the floor tile and stuck one of the strips of sandpaper to it,grit side facing out.

You now have 4 custom made pads to work your blade on.

I tried it out by placing the pad down on a 2X6 and a 2X4 board and it seems to work perfectly,no slippage so far.

Make sure you push your knife edge away from you or you will surely cut up the piece of sandpaper. If you sharpen the knife just like you would strop a razor on a leather strop,you'll have a razor egde in record time..
 
I stopped by Home Depot and found the tiles for .29 cents each.

These are very thin and easily cut with a knife.

Actually all you need to do is score the tile then bend it and it will break along your scoring line.
 
clearblue, is your intention to throw away each tile/sandpaper strip as it wears out (given that they are so cheap), or to try to replace the paper?
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
clearblue, is your intention to throw away each tile/sandpaper strip as it wears out (given that they are so cheap), or to try to replace the paper?
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I'm still learning what works best but here's what has surfaced so far:
The thick expensive tile has a backing that is composed of tiny, minute little dots or raised projections that I could not see until I started using the pad and applying pressure and the dots started showing through the sandpaper.

The cheaper .29 cent tiles appear to be smooth and maybe will work better.

Problem is, I am fast running out of knives to sharpen.

It appears you can use the same pad multiple times by just lifting and peeling your sandpaper off and putting a new one down.

Another thing I prefer is not to precut the sandpaper. I made about 10 pads yesterday and it is much more convienient to take the entire sheet of sandpaper align the edges and stick it to your pad. Then turn everything over and cut the paper off following the edge of the pad as a guide.

Ruminating a bit: the thought came that these would make great flea market items. Approximate cost to make-- .40 per pad and they might sell for as much as $2.00 per copy. Of course, your time,and standing in the hot sun hawking, is not figured in that estimate.
 
Originally posted by Aardvark
Well, the answer to THAT one is obvious, and you're in the right place for it.
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LOL-How do you think Uncle Bill could drink all that Heineken and Yangdu could go see the Khukrendolls.

Thanks to HI,I'm one dollar shy of broke.Bruise is a banker compared to me.:D :)
 
Originally posted by clearblue
Thanks to HI,I'm one dollar shy of broke.Bruise is a banker compared to me.:D :)
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Bruise ain't a banker. Bruise is a Thoatboy!!!!:rolleyes: :p :D ;)
 
Oh Boy!!

I'm guessing, but doesn't a living, breathing, thoatboy have some redeeming characteristics? I think I met a few in the deserts of Mexico several years ago.:eek: :eek:

"Bowb Brown was a thoat herder from the plains, which is why they called him Bowb since everyone knows just what thoat-herders do with their thoats. He was tall, thin and bowlegged, his skin burnt to the colour of ancient leather. He rarely talked, being more used to the eternal silence of the plains broken only by the eerie cry of the restless thoat, but he was a great thinker since the one thing he had plenty of was time to think in."
http://www.angrythoat.com/about/
 
Originally posted by BruiseLeee
I don't think "thoating" pays very well either. :confused:
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Depends on how wealthy the "thoat" is.:p :D ;)

And how good a job you do.:rolleyes: :p :D ;)
 
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