Dvoigt

I'm running out of sand paper. All the the sand paper that I have was handed down to me from my dad. What sand paper is preferred? I will be getting 80 grit to probably 320 grit. While I don't want to spend $5 on a sheet of sand paper I also don't want to get garbage.

Let me know what you like.
Thanks

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~WoodChuck~

It depends on what i am using it on. I use better, resin based, paper on my orbitals, belt sanders, and drum sanders made by Klingspor and Mirka. For sheet paper i just use the cheap stuff. 3M is pretty reasonable i think.

steve mackay

As far as sheet paper I go through a lot and buy the contractor's packs at the Borg. MUCH cheaper if you go through it like Kleenex. The Orange box changed to a kind of red-cloth backed from Norton I think. I THOUGHT I didn't like it 'till I got a PRO-PAK from the Blue box. Still paper backed, from 3-M. This stuff is brittle and curls up on a just a cloudy day. As much as it pains me I'll have to go back to the Orange box and buy their's.

TexasTimbers

I use 3M purple and also Klingspor.

Much cheaper than using cheap sandpaper from my experience. The 3M purple just will not load up, and when it does it cleans out easy. Sandpaper gets detroyed by heat, and the 31 contributor to heat is loading. I quit using cheap paper long ago and have never looked back.

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Flame Box Elder

Rob

I use Mirka Gold for the ROS's and Norton 3X Aluminum Oxide for the sheets.

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kziggy

Just purchased some 180 Fine paper today and ended up with Value Pak of 3M "Sandblaster" from the Orange Box. Package claims it "lasts 3x Longer and is Clog Resistant." Yah, I know what the pros are saying right now... "3X longer" than what, tissue paper??. We'll see! Buy the way, the "value pak" aint necessarily cheap.

Another item you might want to try is a dual angle sanding sponge. I've never used a sponge on large areas but they do work pretty good in the tight angles, especially when you need that final sanding to make sure all the glue is out of the corners before staining.

breakfastchef

The Norton 3X seems to work well for me. It is available in sheets or in discs for my random orbital PC sander.

sawduststeve

The best paper that I have found for my quarter sheet sander is from woodworkers supply and it is made in germany.
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPR...20Paper&smode=
This may seem a little spendy but it will outlast 4 or 5 sheets of regular paper.

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Steve

George G

Never heard of 3M Purple, where can you get it??

Thanks

TexasTimbers

I buy them from Amazon. I wish they made them for my 6 x 48 benchtop as well, but the largest they make is 4 x 24.

These things last forever compared to anything else I have ever used. I've turned several woodworkers on to them and have yet to have someone say they know of a better belt.

3M Regalite Purple Belts

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Flame Box Elder

Dvoigt

What about for just hand sanding. That is what I'll be doing. Same advice still apply?

Stay away from Harbor Freight?

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Just starting out, check it out and let me know what you think:
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BHOFM

I have had very good luck with the brand at Lowes,
Gator. Price is about average, but quality seems to
be upper end.

They have the 6" stickies that I like. Sitckie enough
to stay on, but able to remove without damage and
put the backing paper back on to reuse later.

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kziggy

The only items I ever bought from Harbor Freight were a few adjustable clamps, one being a vice-grip type clamp for my drill press. Very reasonable prices, but I think I would stick with the name brands for the sand paper. I like 3M sheets for hand sanding and think about trying a sponge angle sandpaper block for the tough angles.