sharpening question

Waldganger

Waldganger

Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
1,180
Hey guys I've decided to put my faith into mousepad and sandpaper sharpening for my FBM, after years upon years of freehand benchstone work.

Question is what grade sandpaper should I get, and should I get sandpaper or wet and dry?

I'm thinking getting three or four grades, starting at 240, 600 and 1200 or something similar.

What do you think, and what do you use?

Cheers guys
 
OhNO!! Begin with 100 grit!!!

I do 100
180
220
400
1000
1200
1500
2000
polishes

but i am a nutcase!!! I use LEATHER because there's no way I can press too hard and screw it up!!

IMG_1029.jpg
 
Sounds like you are headed in the right direction. I used a fine emory cloth on my cgfbm at first, then moved to 600, 1000, and then 2000. I then stropped a few passes on leather with a bit of flexcut gold. It also will help if you don't mash the blade into the mousepad; just the weight of the blade will work. Lay it down almost flat. I had to monkey with the technique alot before I fugured out to just stop at 600 grit and strop lightly. The edge just seems to bite and slice a bit better for me that way. Infi shines up really nice and the sandpaper makes a pretty edge. Sharp, too!
 
I only go to about 1200 to 1600 grit and I strop on two diff strops. However I dont get a "polished" edge like Toms its not as mirrory but it works.
 
I have used 180 grit Silicone Carbide paper and it works pretty fast for bringing out a more than adequate working edge. A little carboard stropping and she's all good.

When you are writing Santas list, add a good leather bench top strop.
I have been using one with 180-400 grit compounds, as well as a second strop loaded with the 10,000 grit Chromium oxide to finish up (you can use a ceramic stick at this point otherwise).
 
i use 200, 400, 1000, 2000, strop. works pretty good. i agree that leather is actually better than a mousepad.
 
Does anyone know of a good online source for the various high grit sandpapers? Everywhere I go doesn't seem to have anything finer than 300 or so.
 
tomthebaker said:
OhNO!! Begin with 100 grit!!!

I do 100
180
220
400
1000
1200
1500
2000
polishes

but i am a nutcase!!! I use LEATHER because there's no way I can press too hard and screw it up!!

IMG_1029.jpg
Click to expand...

Dang, Tom! That's a pretty nice edge you've got there. What would it take to convince you to put a nice edge on a certain Mudsnake FBM before you drop it in the mail?
 
rt014 said:
Does anyone know of a good online source for the various high grit sandpapers? Everywhere I go doesn't seem to have anything finer than 300 or so.
Click to expand...

You might google "Lee Valley Supply" and see what they've got....
 
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