Recommendation? Non freezing liquid for hand sanding?

David Mary

David Mary

pass the mustard - after you cut it
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Is there anything suitable for steel and handle materials that won't leave toxic residue in porous materials? Thanks
 
I've used water with a few drops of dish soap for hand sanding, doesn't leave residue...but it'll freeze obviously. Why the non-freezing requirement?
 
I know you can sand wood when using Danish oil.....

Not saying to do that,but other oils? Mineral oil, maybe?

Is it to keep dust down?
 
I don't know how warm I'll get the shop with the wood stove. It's a really old garage
 
Can I hand sand with alcohol? I suppose I could on maybe anything but wood. Just a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to clear the debris. Assuming I have to do this below zero C. Thank you scary Koala now please don't eat my face. :)
 
David Mary said:
Can I hand sand with alcohol? I suppose I could on maybe anything but wood. Just a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to clear the debris. Assuming I have to do this below zero C. Thank you scary Koala now please don't eat my face. :)
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Are you planning on wearing mittens while sanding? I'm having a hard time visualizing wet sanding something in actual freezing conditions.
 
Even the inside of a quinzee without a heater gets above zero. (I've slept in one)
I would expect a garage with a wood stove to be pretty comfortable.
 
I’ve just used water even in the winter in a barely heated shop, after 5 minutes you won’t feel anything anyway. That why I charge more for hand sanding in the winter, (kidding of course) I’ve used WD40 when things get colder.
 
Thanks everyone. I did it in a less heat retaining environment than this the last three winters, but I was able to duck inside at will. Now I'm a fifteen minute bike ride from home in clear conditions, hence the concern. But your comments have me feeling a little better.

Chip, mittens (gloves probably) or not I don't know yet.
 
David Mary said:
Can I hand sand with alcohol? I suppose I could on maybe anything but wood. Just a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to clear the debris. Assuming I have to do this below zero C. Thank you scary Koala now please don't eat my face. :)
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Antifreeze for steel, you will love it even in the summer :)
 
OK, I have the answer for you as a chemist.
Mineral oils and WD-40 are not going to work because they can soak into the handle and may not be skin friendly.
Alcohol would work to prevent freezing but may seriously damage the wood and will absolutely chap and crack your hands.
Danish oils and such could be very thick at low temps and may even solidify.
Regular anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) isn't what you want either. It is toxic and it will likely stain the wood an ugly green.

What you want is Propylene Glycol. This lowers the freezing point, is absolutely clear, and is not toxic. It is used in cosmetics and as a laxative. You can buy a quart, liter, or gallon bottle at a party store as Fog Machine Juice, at an industrial food supply as a food additive, or on Amazon/eBay. 10% solution is plenty to prevent freezing around 25°F/-4°C 20% is all you need for temps around 20°F/-7°C.
Propylene glycol is in your cosmetics, medicines, foods, and many other things. It is non-toxic and safe for skin contact (unless you have an unusual allergy).

An alternative is PEG used by woodworkers as a wood stabilizer to prevent cracking, swelling, or warping. It is poly-ethylene glycol. It is in many laxatives and cosmetics. It is sold in varying molecular weights. I would suggest using PEG 300. Use it the same % concentrations as propylene glycol. You can get it at the same places as Propylene glycol and at many woodworking/woodturning stores and sites.

Fun Fact - PEG and/or propylene glycol are the main ingredient in Vape liquid. It is what makes the smoke. A vape dispenser would work fine without plain water and no smoke, but it would not provide the psychological addiction to puffing in and blowing out smoke.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith I am going to begin using your solution shortly (pun intended!). Is there a table I can use that breaks down what percentage of propylene glycol to use in water to prevent freezing at different temperatures? Basically I'd like to leave a 5 gallon bucket of it in the shop, which will reach temps as low as -30° C in the coldest months here. Thanks!
 
David Mary said:
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith I am going to begin using your solution shortly (pun intended!). Is there a table I can use that breaks down what percentage of propylene glycol to use in water to prevent freezing at different temperatures? Basically I'd like to leave a 5 gallon bucket of it in the shop, which will reach temps as low as -30° C in the coldest months here. Thanks!
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Plenty of tables on the web, e.g.

Propylene Glycol based Heat-Transfer Fluids

Freezing points of propylene glycol based heat-transfer fluids suitable for the food processing industry.
www.engineeringtoolbox.com www.engineeringtoolbox.com

You want to use around 50% PG to avoid freezing at -30°C.
 
Guys , antifreeze in your car is made from ethylene glycol or propylene glycol .. .. ...
 
Nope that goes in the wood stove
 
I never knew the word miscible until today
 
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