sanding paper

T

tim wagendorp

Joined
Jul 14, 1999
Messages
51
hy guys,

I found some interesting sanding paper in an army surplus warehouse but want some information concerning the quality and grain size before purchasing it. They sell 2 types, both manufactured by 3M: 'P600 sanding paper' and 'cloth, abrasive (crocus)' On the back of the second one it says: 001K, NS2, Crystal Bay Crocus cloth.
My questions: 1) is it ok to buy this stuff (price around 4$ for a packet of 50 pieces)? 2) What is the grain size (P???) of the crocus paper?

Tanx,

Tim

 
Tim,
I know it's tempting to look for "bargins" when purchasing materials, but the old saying of "you get what you pay for" is certainly true with sandpaper too. I'll have to look at my chart in the shop, and get back to you on what the P600 comparison is, but I believe it's around 1200 grit (US grit). I do a great deal of hand finishing on each of my blades, and use only two different types of sandpaper. Both are a waterproof, auto body finishing grade, silicon carbide. I routinely pay $22 to $24 a sleeve. It sounds like a lot, but it's just like buying good quality belts for your grinder. You get more for your money. 3M makes such a wide variety of abrasives that to say it's good based on the brand, would be misleading you. I am full time military, and can tell you that most items ordered through military channels are strictly "lowest price". If you can get a sample, try it, and if you like it.....then grab it.


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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"
http://www.caffreyknives.com
 
Crocus paper is a inferioir grade of red iron oxide abrasive. Even though it should be very fine grit, there always eeems to be some coarse particles in that scratch. Once you break it in though it just gets finer and finer and smoother and smoother. IF you are finishing a LOT of brass, then it is good stuff for final hand finishing. Or you can glue it to something flat and use it for honing.
 
Tim,
Like Fox Creek said, crocus paper is a predecessor to aluminum oxide (AO), which is also used best on wood.
As for the the 3M, the 'P' represents the European grade, and it translates to roughly 380 grit. Do you remember the color of this paper?



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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. -Goethe
 
well, i base my sander paper choice on experience, i use mostly norton sandpaper, and pheonix brand. good stuff, but expensive.
only silicon carbide.
 
There are literally hundreds of types of abrasive out there, and our field requires understanding as many as possible. This is a great time to be alive, you know. We have quartz(sand), iron oxide (crocus), aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, ceramic, and diamond. We have structured abrasives, open and closed coats, waterproof and electro-bonded. We have powders, sprays, papers, sintered units, Titanium nitride coated, cermet bits, hell, the list goes on and on.
But know this. Every material requires a specific set of finising procedures. When you discover each, (as each one is a highly guarded custom shop secret), write them down a little book that will become the most important piece of your shop: The Process Book.
Then, grasshopper, you will have learned and will be free to leave...

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Jay
www.gilanet.com/JayFisher/index.htm
 
Jay, just went to your site. AWESOME work. Really. If you haven't been there yet, GO!! Wow! And wow! again!
 
The surplus paper is out dated !!!!

Good advice here !!

cool.gif


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Web Site At www.infinet.com/~browzer/bldesmth.html
New Web at www.darrelralph.com

 
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