Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Oct 14, 2002 11:05pm | #1

   Check out the synthetic stuff -- the plastic abrasive pads.  It lasts a lot longer than steel wool.  In most brands, the grey stuff is equivalent to 0000 steel wool.

2. 
   BG | Oct 14, 2002 11:11pm | #2

   Get a hydraulic ram and put him out on the back 40...grow your own?

   Okay, I'm being a smarty pants...

3. 
   domermatt | Oct 14, 2002 11:16pm | #3

   I'd have to agree with Jamie, the synthetic stuff (I use 3M scotch scotchbrite(?sp) pads) does last longer and doesn't splinter like the real stuff.

   Matt
4. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 14, 2002 11:22pm | #4

   Mike,

   What about the bronze stuff? (I still prefer sandpaper; just feel more in control with it.  One of those white elephant stores around here gets boxes of the cloth backed 3M brand that comes off the ends of rolls.  Any grit imaginable.  20 sheets for a buck.)

   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Forgot about the work you do.... Would a flap sander help?

   Jeff

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/14/2002 4:25:46 PM ET by Jeff K

1. 
   Hogbone | Oct 21, 2002 07:05am | #11

   Jeff,

    Could you explain what you mean by "white elephant stores around here"?  Where are you?  I'm in Virginia, outside of D.C.  I like the idea of 20 sheets of sandpaper for a buck.  What stores carry these end-of-roll deals?  What specifically should I ask for?

   Thanks.

   -Mike (aka LMN-Tree)

1. 
   LeeEschen | Oct 21, 2002 11:18am | #12

   Be careful going out for anything, Mike. They still haven't caught that shooter. But I'm sure you know this.

   --

   Lee in Cave Junction, Oregon

   On the Redwood Highway

2. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 21, 2002 04:23pm | #13

   Mike,

   Upper Michigan (where it's snowing_yuk!)  Guess the also call them "Dollar Stores". Ninety percent garbage, but some good stuff mixed in.

   Jeff

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 21, 2002 07:22pm | #14

   Mike & Jeff:  You can get "Bargain Box" paper directly from Klingspor.  These are end-rolls also.  I have an old catalog, 20-lb. box for $24.95.  You can also get full shop rolls, 10-yards, 20-yards or 50-yards long, about $5 and up.  Then there are rolls of PSA and hook-and-loop paper, 10 yards and up at a real good price.

   Seems like you'd be able to get just as good a deal from them, and perhaps be able to pick out some specific stuff for your projects to boot.  Here's a link to their web site:http://www.woodworkingshop.com/ 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 21, 2002 11:28pm | #15

   Thanks, Forest Girl.  Looks like good prices, and it seems one can never have too much of the stuff.

   Jeff

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 22, 2002 05:05am | #16

   Any time Jeff, I like  a bargain too...:-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   Hogbone | Oct 22, 2002 07:58am | #17

   Thanks all.  I'll be in northern Michigan (around Manistee) for Christmas, maybe I'll pick up some then. 

   re: "snow yuk!"  We're actually going up there for the snow.  My wife is from Michigan and misses the snow.  All we have in Virginia is hot muggy weather and cold-blooded  psychopaths.  

   Cheers.

   -Mike

5. 
   Andrew | Oct 15, 2002 03:47am | #5

   I buy my abrasives from a company called SIA abrasives. They came out with a new synthetic steel wool that is supposed to be good. I think there was a review in FWW about it. anyway you can give them a call @ 1 800 337 1325

   they also have another product called siasoft that you might be interested in. it's a foam backed sandpaper that's supposed to be good for contour sanding.

   hope this helps

6. 
   NickC | Oct 15, 2002 05:25am | #6

   Lee Valley has some good steel wool that doesn't have the problem you mention. It comes in rolls. http://www.leevalley.com. Nick

7. 
   forestgirl | Oct 16, 2002 07:58am | #7

   I agree with Nick, check out the good stuff that comes in rolls.  I bought mine ages ago, perhaps from VanDykes restoration, but I'm sure anything Lee Valley has would be high quality.  You get a much better product at a relatively lower price by buying in rolls.  And, it's specifically made for finishing  work (I think).

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 16, 2002 06:31pm | #8

   Thanks everyone.  I just ordered some of the Lee Valley extra fine steel wool.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_KatyPlaneWood

2. 
   DennisS | Oct 18, 2002 07:43pm | #9

   Coming in a little late to the topic but ....

   I routinely clean the porta filter of our espresso machine with Scotchbright pads. The inside is brass. I noticed that the finish after cleaning was bright and shiny with few scratch marks from the pad. So as an experiment I started using it towards the final stages of sanding and finishing turned pieces. Works reall great plus there are no hard edges or corners that invariably seem to produce unsightly lines in the finish.

   I believe Scotchbright comes in a variety of 'coursenesses' or 'fine-nesses', too.

   Just another option.....

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

8. 
   missamo80 | Oct 20, 2002 01:01am | #10

   Funny this thread should happen now. I just checked my snail mail and the latest copy of Fine Woodworking was in the box. Guess what's on page 58? An article titled "Steel Wool vs. Abrasive Pads"!

   Neil