sand paper

[Danny]

Well I gotta give my 2 cents worth....  Normal sanding on store bought wood like Lowes comes pretty well smooth, but not good enough.  I used a power orbital sander starting with 120 grit and then 220 grit.  The outcome to me is smooth as a babies bottom.  LOL  Always keep 300 grit sheets for some final sanding.  Good topic....  Danny  :+}

[glenn wouters]

I have a sandblaster.
That's a plastic holder and it clamps sanding paper special for this thingy.
I have 60,80,120, 180, and 400

The good thing of this sandpaper is that you can wash it, rince it under the tap with water and let it dry a bit.
Then you can use it over and over again.
I think i used my first pad for almost a year... and i sand a lot.
Pads are about 10 euro for 2 pieces, but the money more then worth it.

I buy it here in Belgium in the local DIY shop.

Greetings Glenn.

[saggioculo]

Washable sand paper?  That actually sounds really cool.

[Gabby]

Washable sand paper?  That actually sounds really cool.

Auto shops carry what is known as wet or dry sand paper, and yes when the gunk is rinsed off of it extends the usefulness of the paper. The only time sand paper is worn out is when the abrasive is all gone or it is too clogged with gunk to cut any more!
Gabby

[jimbo]

You can wet and dry with oil as well it oils as well as sands, and the paper lasts a long time its a bit messy though
Jimbp

[BilltheDiver]

The only real variable is where you start.  Some woods have a coarse surface to begin with & may need to start around 60 grit.  Use what is appropriate to the wood.  Once you have started, the best thing to do is to progress through the grits without skipping any until you reach what you are happy with.  Typically 100 or 120 followed by 150 or 180 followed by 220 and further if you desire.  Each grit should remove the scratches imposed by the previous.  If you skip a step, you may get a smooth feel, but have blemishes in the finish due to remaining scratches.  You can stop at 150 or go all the way to 2000 or higher, your decision.  For most woodwork 220 if adequate.  (My opinion only of course)

[jimbo]

You've got it Bill all sand paper does is scratch the wood and the finer you go the less scratches you see, using a random orbital sander helps hide the scratch marks and I have used this method on large platters I have turned on the lathe
Jimbo

[dgman]

I too sand to 220 grit. Sometimes I will sand the end grain at 320.

[glenn wouters]

At work (we make coffins in our factory), we finish everything with 220.
But that's before the paint job is done.
We use the same on tropical wood, tropical hardwood, or oak.
We need a very nice finish, and has to be very smooth.
But it's a good finish for us.