Sandpaper

Everyone knows what sandpaper is, but few completely understand it’s real importance . Sandpaper is used for a variety of tasks. It can be effective in removing old paint, clearing rust, and smoothing out wood. Sandpaper is composed of three basic elements. The first and most basic part of the paper is the backing material. Commercial grade sandpaper usually use craft paper or low grade fabric as the backing material. For the more expensive types of sandpaper, producers use a complex combination of fine cotton combined with polyester. The next element of this versatile material is the bonding agent. This is what is used to hold the grit to the backing material. Lower qualities of sandpaper are usually made from hide glue. This has been known to have a very low resistance to moisture. The higher quality sandpapers use more expensive bonding agents such as phenolic resin. While these papers may cost a lot more, they will last a lot longer and do a better job. The last and most important part of the sand paper is the grit. Industrial grade sandpaper use abrasive grit material that is stronger and less likely to break down or wear out. The more expensive and higher quality sandpaper uses a very fine grit. This helps ensure consistency and a smooth finish.

There are four different types of sandpaper. The two that are predominately used for woodworking are Aluminum Oxide and Garnet. Aluminum Oxide is probably the most commonly used paper on the market today. Aluminum Oxide is one of the most common woodworking abrasives. It shows a very high degree of friability. This means that when heat and pressure are applied it fragments. This is highly desirable because when Aluminum Oxide fragments it creates new sharp edges. This self-renewing property allows aluminum Oxide to last longer than most other sandpapers. Garnet is another popular type of sandpaper for woodworking. This material is not friable like Aluminum Oxide. This means it has the tendency to wear out rather quickly. Garnet is usually used to produce a very smooth surface. People usually use sandpaper with this surface for the final sand. It has unique characteristics that allow it to seal off the woods grain and leave a beautiful, smooth finish. The next type of sandpaper is made of Silicon Carbide. This is a very hard material that is used for more rugged jobs than the first two. It is great for removing rust, metal, plastic, and paint. You would usually want to avoid using Silicon Carbide for wood and other soft materials. With its hard and sharp grit, it would take off the woods naturally smooth finish. The last general type of sandpaper is made of Ceramic. This is the hardest and most expensive of all the sandpapers. You would most commonly see this material on a belt sander. The type of paper is used for immediate removal of large amounts of wood or other materials. Ceramic is not going to leave a smooth finish, but will get rid of excess amounts of whatever you’re working with.

When choosing what sandpaper to pick, there are a few important questions. First, you need to figure out if you want an open or closed faced surface. The open face has gaps between the grit. This is going to allow the material you’re sanding to be removed through the spaces. The closed face is going to be a lot more effective for metals or hard woods. This is going to help you take off large amounts of the material, but may clog with sawdust when used extensively. Probably the most important thing to look for when purchasing sandpaper is the amount of grit. There are a variety of levels of sandpaper. Grit can go anywhere from 40 to 600. The lower the number is a sign of a higher amount of grit. Anywhere from 40 to about 70 is considered very heavy grit. It is only going to be used for jobs where you are trying to strip or remove large amounts of material. Anywhere from 350 to 600 is considered very fine. This sandpaper is going to be used for the final finish on delicate, soft wood.

Sandpaper has proven to be a very valuable material for woodworkers and craftsman alike. This unique paper is used in all types of industrial production and small-time woodworking. It continues to smooth out the surfaces we touch every day.