Using Sandpaper for Shaping, Evil? - A Rhetorical Question.

[Glenn M]

G'day All,

The other evening I was finishing off a rather nice piece of Camphor Laurel (thanks Graeme at Southern Woodturning) that I had made into a shallow platter that was 10" across, cleared my Durden by an absolute whisker. I was going for a sharp upsweep to a 1" lip of the platter but when I started sanding I saw the platter from a new angle and thought it would look better with a flowing curve out to the edge instead. I didn't want to take to it with the chisel again so I thought I would try hitting it with the good ole 120 grit to see if I could knock off the edge I had made. It worked really well and now the platter has a really nice graceful line to it now (in my eyes anyway).

So the whole point of this is did I just commit wood turners sacrilege by doing this. For me personally, being such a newbie at it I don't care as right now I look at it as whatever gets the job done. But what about you purists out there? Do you only shape with the chisel or do you turn to the sandpaper on occasion?

Just after some thoughts and hopefully some lively discussion http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
Glenn
www.woodworkbooks.com (http://www.woodworkbooks.com)

[Island Ape]

Sandpaper is a tool just like a chisel, use it wise and find out what it will do. On some woods which have soft and hard areas you will sand more of the soft wood away leaving an undulating surface. I've completed bowls without sandpaper when demonstrating, but catch me in my workshop late Sunday evening
you'll see an angle grinder whizzing away with a 120 grit!

[cliff cook]

Hey if it works for you why not !! Just a hint though the better you get the finish with the chisels the less work you have to do with the paper.
If you heve to use paper get the cloth type of paper, it lasts forever.The only problem is you can`t get really fine 1500/2000 grit in cloth (well i can`t find any anyway.)
cooky

[june01]

Hi cooky, re using sandpaper, I Always use the tools to finish the bowl or platter before sanding then use M2grit then finish with F2 paper then I use my finishing liqiuids Cheers Norm

[june01]

Hi Doorstop - M2 sandpaper & F2 fine sandpaper are commonly used by woodturners. Most hardware shops stock it. You can get a good finish by using the M2 first & then .F2 Use half a sheet, fold it in three then fold it in half. When sanding faceplate work, hold the sandpaper in your right hand, Then place your left hand over your right wrist, hold both arms close to your body & then you will obtain a good finish without scratches. Good luck Norm

[knuckles]

And then yez finishes it with tree tick brush coats of polyurethane. Am I right? Am I right? Huh, am I?

Yous is obviously a experienced turner Norm. So please don't be offended when I says to yez .......

M2 - F2 don't make me laugh
Yous aint finished your sanding, by half.
Sand to 1200 and yous will see,
Your turnings, real smooth. Just like me.

Knuckles http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by knuckles (edited 18 April 2001).]

[ubeaut]

For the information of those who like to slag off at others (they will know to whom I refer).

Norm (june01) is a well respected woodturner who began his career in woodturning 66 years ago at the age of 12. He has been a demonstrator at most of the major Wood Shows throughout Australia and DOES KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

You may, or may not agree with him or his methods, this is your prerogative, but in future, what say we try to stick to genuine debate and constructive criticism rather than personal attacks.

Cheers - Neil http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

CLICK HERE FOR MORE (http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000207.html)

[knuckles]

Dear Norm.

The Grand Poobah passed on a message dat yous was upset by what I said. WHAT? I acknowleged that yous was obviously a experienced turner and asked yous not to be offended. What more do yez want? http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/confused.gif

It hurts and offends me ta fink dat I hurt or offended yous, and I really don't know what I did wrong this time but I am running out of fingers to lop off so, SORRY. OK!

Now. Yez says yez want to help people den help me wif dees questions.

1/ How I can possibly get a better sanded finish wit crummy oldfashon glass (flower) paper dan I can get wit Aluminium oxide or silicone carbide?

2/ Why fold da paper in half after folding it into tree? constructive comment Surely by folding it in tree and den in half yez would be losing grit and blunting da 2 faces that was rubbing together. Den da F2 would be burnishing the timber not cutting it.

3/ Why do yez tink dat glass paper is better dan Aluminium oxide or silicone carbide when it clogs quickly bluntens almost immediately on anyting harder than mahogany or cherry and da grit fall off?

More constructive comment.
I have found dat Aluminium oxide or silicone carbide stays sharp and will continue to cut till it's clogged and den yez unclogs it and it cuts some more. It is harder to clog and da better quality stuff don't come off da backing paper or material. I does cost much more dan da cheaper glass papers etc. but buyin da cheaper stuff is false economy because it doesn't last.

I have already acknowleged your obvious experience, so please don't be offended again but I just gotta say dis.....

A POEM FOR NORM
You may have turned for many years
And be respected by your peers,
But you're unknown on this, BB
And a lowly apprentice as you can see.

You say you want to help us all
So post a reply and you'll stand tall
An if your answers get real sloppy
We'll cut you down like a big tall poppy.

Knuckles http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/cool.gif

[june01]

Hi knuckles,

Answers to your questions re sandpaper.

I/ I find if I turn and cut the timber correctly, There is not a lot of sanding to do. Most people prefer the cheapest and most effective way.

2/ Folding the paper as I explained, I get a lot more use out of it as I progress. I unfold to the next side so as I can use every part of the sheet. When I was turning for a living, I had to turn 16 chairlegs per hour.

3/ I find the paper does not clog. Folding does not damage the paper. When the folds are together, it stops the paper from sliding around. If someone suggests something to me that I Like better, I will Use It Good turning - Norm.


Originally posted by knuckles:
Dear Norm.

The Grand Poobah passed on a message dat yous was upset by what I said. WHAT? I acknowleged that yous was obviously a experienced turner and asked yous not to be offended. What more do yez want? http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/confused.gif

It hurts and offends me ta fink dat I hurt or offended yous, and I really don't know what I did wrong this time but I am running out of fingers to lop off so, SORRY. OK!

Now. Yez says yez want to help people den help me wif dees questions.

1/ How I can possibly get a better sanded finish wit crummy oldfashon glass (flower) paper dan I can get wit Aluminium oxide or silicone carbide?

2/ Why fold da paper in half after folding it into tree? constructive comment Surely by folding it in tree and den in half yez would be losing grit and blunting da 2 faces that was rubbing together. Den da F2 would be burnishing the timber not cutting it.

3/ Why do yez tink dat glass paper is better dan Aluminium oxide or silicone carbide when it clogs quickly bluntens almost immediately on anyting harder than mahogany or cherry and da grit fall off?

More constructive comment.
I have found dat Aluminium oxide or silicone carbide stays sharp and will continue to cut till it's clogged and den yez unclogs it and it cuts some more. It is harder to clog and da better quality stuff don't come off da backing paper or material. I does cost much more dan da cheaper glass papers etc. but buyin da cheaper stuff is false economy because it doesn't last.

I have already acknowleged your obvious experience, so please don't be offended again but I just gotta say dis.....

A POEM FOR NORM
You may have turned for many years
And be respected by your peers,
But you're unknown on this, BB
And a lowly apprentice as you can see.

You say you want to help us all
So post a reply and you'll stand tall
An if your answers get real sloppy
We'll cut you down like a big tall poppy.

Knuckles http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/cool.gif