Before I go driving all over God’s creation on my only day off, can you tell me if synthetic steel wool is available at the big box stores? Is 3M’s stuff as good as any? (I’ve seen 2 makers so far, looking at Google)
These are always pads, right? Would it be better to use bronze wool? [This is for finishes].
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Replies
I have been able to get maroon, green, gray and white at my local Home Depot. I don't recall whether it was branded as Scotch brand but it works fine.
Yes, bronze wool can be used but it tends to be lots more expensive.
Thanks, Howard! If they don't have any at the local Ace I'll head to HD.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
westlake ace hardware carries them white won't scrach plastic showers,
the dark red is great for rust I also have the brown and green there juse a little pricey
How does the synthetic wear? (durability)
about 10 times longer than steel wool
I suppose that makes any cost differences worth it?
F.G.: Graingers has a good deal on an assortment of pads+ a gripper thingy for about $17. They also have all the individual ones from a couple different companies. Duke
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemKey=4ZT08
Kenneth Duke Masters
The Bill of Rights December 15 1791 NRA Endowment Member
LEAA Life Member
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Thanks, I never would have thought to look at Graingers!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
You will find the sythetic steel wool pads virtually anywhere that paint is sold. 3-M is fine. Grey is about 000 grade steel wool.
To get bronze wool I'd bet you would have to drive to one of the coasts where it might be used by the marine trade.
Bronze used to be relatively easy to get....used for finishes because any loose strands that get missed won't rust like steel.
I really like the synthetics; 3M is good, so is SIA. SIA also has a product that is basically the byproduct of the pads.....looks like traditional steel wool, but in the synthetic colours. Comes in bags like the traditional stuff. Some SIA stuff here is in the box stores (but not HD), but i usually get it through my industrial suppliers. SIA is also the best sandpaper I have ever used by far.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
"SIA also has a product that is basically the byproduct of the pads.....looks like traditional steel wool...." I think that's probably what I'd really like to find. Off to Google.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Of course SIA is "good" (great, I'll bet) -- it's Swedish [Wrong: Swiss]. So, where do you buy yours? I've Googled and am having no luck finding anything but sandpaper. If you can post a link, I'd be forever grateful!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 4/4/2006 3:50 pm by forestgirl
I think they're Swiss actually.....anyway, this link with a U.S head office is the best I can do http://www.sia-abrasives.com/corporate/en/locations_60FB02DF1BF2438A844DA3A15D44C07C.html
I have a SIA rep that calls on me regularly, and there are a half dozen industrial suppliers I can buy from, or some stuff is on the shelves at the hardware stores. I'd try the suppliers to the cabinet/millwork/furniture trade for sources close to you.....SIA does most of their business to the trade.
The product I was describing is called SIAwool, and comes in 2 litre bags.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Ooops, you're right, Swiss. I landed on the SIA of Sweden link and jumped to a conclusion. Thanks for the info!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I don't know who makes it, but Klingspor's woodworking shop carries synthetic steel wool in both pads, and as loose abrasive wool, in several different grits (if that's the right term).Here's the link to their loose stuff:
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/610775CF/mac/qryitems.mac/itemDisplay
"you would have to drive to one of the coasts where it might be used by the marine trade." I live on an island. ROFL!!!!!!! Click here. That's Seattle to the east. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Well if you get to Bremerton (or Seattle) check out West Marine. It should carry bronze wool.
I was surprised to see that they carry some bronze wool at the Ace Hardware in town. Not at the Lumbermen's though. Weird, Lumbermen's hardly carries anything anymore. I used to go there alot, but less and less every year.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Are there any equivalent to 0000#?? I've gotta dig out my Klingspor catalog. Sorry to be a pest.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Jeff Jewitt's http://www.homesteadfinishing.com sells a Mirka line that he says are "close" to 0000 in the scratch pattern. I haven't used this but Jeff should be a good source.
Byetheway: never a pest.
Edited 4/4/2006 6:14 pm ET by SteveSchoene
Thanks, the 4-ought is really what I was hoping for.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
synthetic steel wool ?? Geee...
I just use the 3-M pads available.. They work GREAT and NO RUST!
I save the OLD worn out ones for finish work..
Yep.. I plow out all the 'can I say crap?' with a air hose first..
I have found that linen cloth also works for 'buffing' out the finish.. BUT sometimes Linen has some strange stuff in there.. You have to look at it first (as in through sunlight) and discard if it looks 'funny inside'..
Just me
EDIT: plow? Blow?
Edited 4/6/2006 10:58 am by WillGeorge
Those 3m pads are synthetic steel wool; at least that's the common usage. As I mentioned, some companies do now sell a product that looks like traditional balls of steel wool....the material is exactly what is used in the pads.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia! Dang! I never got a Post from ther! Got one from IceLand once~
Now you have two.....actually, this is for Forestgirl or anyone else that may be interested in SIA products. My rep was in last week and I asked him about distributors in the U.S; the situation isn't great apparently, distribution should be much better, but, Fastenal either stocks or can order SIA stuff.
Take this for what it's worth, but my rep has done some seminars for industry in the U.S; the industry people he said were extremely impressed with the SIA product range. It's definitely the best stuff I've used; I haven't used everybody, but I have used several of the major brands, and haven't been satisfied until SIA. I don't work for them or have any other affiliation with them either.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Sorry for the late reply but it is time to start doing my taxes. Bronze wool is used in the aircraft business on aluminum since it does not rust (corrode). On aircraft, rust is BAD!. Try mail order places that specialize in aircraft supplies such as Spruce Aircraft, etc.
I like bronze wool. Yes, it is a little pricey but it last almost forever.
Good luck.
Before I go driving all over God's creation Forest.. I thought that was YOU!
Why would you drive all over yourself?
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