wet sanding?

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
What do you guys use for wet sanding? I've tried water and it doesn't seem to help much, makes an awful mess too.
 
I don't think there is any way to avoid making a mess when wet sanding.Tap Magic is my preference when I have to wet sand.
 
I use CoolTool II. I've tried most everything else, and feel it works the best. I've got a small board with a hole bored into it that a film canister fits into. That sits next to my vise with the oil in it. I dip my finger into it and rub it on the blade, then sand.

It cuts well, and is very cheap if you buy it from places like Travers. It will even cut well with standard (non-water-proof) paper.

I also keep a spritzer bottle with Cool Mist in it, that I spray down the blade with here and there, as well as WD-40. Mostly the bottle of Cool Mist and WD-40 work well to lift off grit after you've made some passes with abrasive and you want to wipe the blade clean to look at it. That way, you won't drag abrasive over the blade with the rag and cause and unwanted scratch.

Sounds awfully anal retentive, but it's the little things that make you stand out... :)

Nick
 
Mike,

I used to use Cool Tool II, but kept looking for an alternative because of the haze. You need to use acetone or something similar to remove it to inspect it. I currently use a mixture of water, baking soda, and dishsoap. It works well for me.

Brett
 
Any silicone based lubricant works well for me. The food grade silicone stuff is excellent with 1000 to 2000 grit papers. Also works good with fine diamond hones.

I'm also really fond of cutting oil, WD-40, and on occasion water with baking soda and dish soap added.

Brian
 
Mike
I quit wet sanding. I found paper that works better than SC imho.
Try Rade Hawkins. He has a white sand paper (not like any I have seen or psa paper). This stuff cuts fantastic up through 600 grit.
It dosent load up. Try it!
 
I use baby oil as well!

Now, I've only finished 5 knives, so my experience is limited. I do know that is works much better than water. I have rags/paper towel handy to clean up the oil though. It is messy. I wish steel sanded as fast as wood! :)
 
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