Sandpaper
From TheBestCaseScenario
| 'Sandpaper, Sanding Block' | |
| |
| Information | |
| Uses: | Cleaning up surfaces. |
| Price: | $? / £1-5 |
| Brand Names: | Stanley |
| Difficulty: | Fairly Easy |
| Related Tools | |
| Orbital Sander | |
| Related Materials | |
| Plexiglass, Aluminium, Wood | |
[edit] Sandpaper
Sandpaper is an abrasive sheet designed to wear down material. It does this by gluing small particles to a piece of heavy duty paper. These particles, when rubbed with force, create a similar affect to a file and eat away at the material the sandpaper comes in contact with.
Sandpaper comes in many different levels of refinement, these are called grit. The higher the grit, the finer the particles.
There are two basic types of sandpaper - open and closed. Open sandpaper allows for the dust created to be able to move more easily and is made specifically for wood. Closed sandpapers are designed for metals and specific types of acrylics.
[edit] Sandpaper Types
Sandpaper's particles can also vary. Each compound has its own unique traits and therefore is used for different applications. The common sandpaper types include: Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Emery, and Garnet.
Aluminum Oxide
Aluminum oxide is used for wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass and removing paint. This is the most common and what paint/DIY stores carry. Grit rarely gets above 400.
Silicon Carbide
Silicon Carbide is used for metal and paint work and is almost always available as a wet/dry due to its use with paint. It can also be used with oil for specific types of metal. Grit for this sandpaper can hit 3000.
Emery
Emery is designed solely for removing light rust and polishing/buffing metal.
Garnet
Garnet is designed solely for wood. This is the sandpaper typically chosen and used by professional woodworkers. Grits range from 40 to 400.
[edit] Sanding Block
With sandpaper comes a basic tool called a sanding block. Around 5 inches long and 3 inches wide(13cm x 8cm), the sanding block is designed to hold sandpaper in place while it is used. This is typically done with a clamp system, or nails on cheaper models. Sanding blocks work best on flat surfaces and are designed to be used in straight lines. They don't work well in cramped spaces, rounded corners or any odd angle.