A mention in a recent post by the builder of a Puddle Duck Racer reminded me of the existence of Permagrit abrasive products. I used to use these all the time when I made model aeroplanes but had forgotten about them.

Permagrit make what they call "files" which are shaped sanding sticks which are useful for getting inside coves or sanding round overs without losing the curve as well as needle files, sanding blocks, sanding strips, rotary files, cutting disks, hacksaw blades and jigsaw blades. All of these products have an abrasive surface of tungsten carbide which lasts if not forever then, at least, for a very long time.

They come in coarse (about 180) and fine (about 320) grits and because they don't wear out quickly the grit doesn't change much with use and they keep their cut throughout use.

I have used several of the files and the sanding blocks and would have no hesitation trying the other products.



Permagrit tools are not cheap but they do last and they do what they are advertised to do. Two great things about them are:
  1. if they get clogged with an adhesive or a resin or paint, they are easy to unclog by using the appropriate thinner/solvent and a scrubbing brush (try that with sandpaper) - I leave them in an ice cream bucket of the solvent overnight and they are almost ready to go the next morning; and
  2. because they don't wear out and can be unclogged easily, you don't come to the end of Sunday afternoon and find that you have run out of the grit of sandpaper that you need!

The company in Australia is based in Victoria and all the products can be easily bought online from the Permagrit website. Their performance in terms of speed of dispatch and delivery is also excellent.

PS For some reason they say that the products are not recommended for use on steel. But someday I might see if the large flexible sheets (280mm x 115mm) could be used instead of sandpaper in an advance "scary sharp" sharpening station.