Woodchuck Question

SamuraiDave

SamuraiDave

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
2,632
Hello fellow Woodchucks,

I am refinishing the handle on my 18" AK and I was wondering what grit of sandpaper do yall work up to before the wood gets "too smooth" for use? It is Nepali oak.

I have already gone up to 400 on my karda and chakuma (sp) (they too are Nepali oak), and I am thinking about buying some multi purpose packages of sandpaper ranging from 800-1500 grit.

I am curious as to what yall think. Answers, suggestions, anecdotes, all are welcome.

Thanks
 
Dave:

I use 400 grit silicon carbide. I cut a strip about 2" wide by 6" long and fold it in thirds. As the original finish on the handle is worked down, and as I clean off the wax/dust from the paper, it loses some of the abrasive and softens a bit. It almost takes on the cut of a 600 grit paper as it wears. I've used one such strip on each of the handles of a Malla and a GS. The carved handle of my UBE took about twice that amount (much folding, to get sharp corners for nooks and crannies) but the wear factor was about the same.

Between sandings, and eventually the only abrasive used (after 3-4 coats) is 0000 steel wool. It packs down and also fills up with oil/dust, and cuts finer and finer as this happens.

The super-fine stuff is harder to find, and probably more expensive, and it is more useful on the blade itself (scratches, etc) than on the wood. Besides, 400 and 0000 are easier to remember at my age :p
 
I can find stuff up to 2000 grit in the automotive section of Wally world, But I will take your word and go with what I have.

Will I see you at the convention? I should have 3-4 coats on there by then.
 
Not making the convention this year is one of my biggest disappointments. If I can travel next year, and it isn't too far, I WILL BE THERE !!!! I hope :)

BTW (Woodchuckery 101) WITH the grain to polish, ACROSS the grain to fill works well with Saatisal, in the spots with open grain.
 
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