Sanding micarta?

[samhain73]

I was thinking of getting(another ) Retribution 1, but the handles are too thick. It occurred to me however, that it would be perfect if I could thin the handles out about 1/4 in. on each side. Does sanding micarta damage it at all, or change the apperance in a drastic way? And what would be the best way to do this? Thanks!

 

[mete]

It certainly damages your lungs !! If you do it get areally GOOD respirator.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

No it doesn't damage it, it changes the color until you use it at which point it stabilizes with the sweat from your skin. It is very easy to grind and as with most materials not good to fill your lungs with.

-Cliff

 

[samhain73]

Thanks, I would be doing it by hand however, as I have no dremel or grinder, and would be afraid of really screwing it up! Would using wet/dry sandpaper be the "safer" way to do this? Something like 220 grit should work, I would think. Any sugestions?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You can use a file for the most part, and finish by sanding with 220, 320, 400, 600. Wet sanding works well on Micarta. You can finish buff with 0000 steel wool, and apply paste wax.
Bill

 

[ahgar]

wet sanding is the best way to go to keep down the dust which is really bad for your lungs. good luck and sand away,ahgar

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Micarta is not particularly dangerous to sand in small quantities. G10 is really bad for you.
Micarta is simply laminated paper or cloth and epoxy.
Bill

 

[gotanedge]

I have machined parts out of micarta where I work. After finishing we tumble them in a mixture of ground pecan shells and parafin wax that leaves a really nice finish and coating. The pecan shells have to be warmed (we use two heat lamps) to melt the wax.

 

[moonwilson]

I didn't know sanding G10 was bad for you. Uh-oh!

Do the little tiny fibers act like asbestos? Slice up the little sacs in your lungs? I never thought about this before. I guess I'll be more careful.

Thinking about this, micarta would be less dangerous than G10, because canvas isn't as hard/ stiffly fibrous as glass and I don't think that phenol is that dangerous. I think it's pretty stable chemically once hardened.