Micro Mesh

**bdar** · 7th April 2006, 12:47 AM

Hi everybody, just wanted to let you know about one of the best finishing products on the market and a top bloke that you can order it from. The stuff is called Micro Mesh or MM on some sites. Some of you guys may know about it and use it already. I know it was Darley that got me to use it, there are 9 grit sizes starting at 1500 to 12000. 1500 is the same as 600 wet and dry, it is rubber backed, flexible, can be used wet or dry and the best thing when you think it is no good anymore just wash it in hot soapy water and you can use it again. If I can remember Darley telling me he did about 400 pens washed it and used it again. So you do get a lot of life out of it. The only thing I learnt is that if you are heavy handed you can melt it. Now the guy is Charles Martin in America, he is one hell of a good guy his site is www.woodchipshome.com The best buy is the 12"x6" for $32.50 US, that is all 9 grades of MM you can get 6"x3" sets for $10.50 US it took around 8 days for my order to arrive. The finsh that you get with 12000 on Lignum, Cocbolo, Blackwood and Snakewood you don't have to polish. There is also a link at www.thepenshop.net and click on the Wood Chips link. No I don't get anything from Charles from this and yes I am a member of The Pen Shop. Just wanted to pass on something that has helped me achieve a better finish and to let you know that there is a great bunch of guys and gals who love nothing better than to talk about pen crafting.

Cheers
Darren

**CameronPotter** · 7th April 2006, 11:09 AM

I suspect that this is similar (although not the same size) as what you are talking about - and available in Australia...

http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/..._id=1107374829

Cam

**TTIT** · 7th April 2006, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by CameronPotter

I suspect that this is similar (although not the same size) as what you are talking about - and availabel in Australia...

http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/..._id=1107374829

Cam

Cam - Does the name 'acrylic abrasive' refer to it's construction or intended use???? I thought that maybe you only use it on your synthetic pens???:confused: :confused: :confused: or does it work just as well on timber???

**CameronPotter** · 7th April 2006, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by TTIT

Cam - Does the name 'acrylic abrasive' refer to it's construction or intended use???? I thought that maybe you only use it on your synthetic pens???:confused: :confused: :confused: or does it work just as well on timber???

I think that it is basically designed for use on synthetics, but very oily woods or stabilised woods should be fine to use with it too...

Cam

**bdar** · 7th April 2006, 09:35 PM

Cameron the one that you have put a link up for is for use on acrylics or lucite. Micro Mesh is used for timber, acrylics, lucite, antler I don't think the other would be as good with timber. By buying the bigger sheets and cutting them into 6"x3" size you get 4 sets. One supplier in the US charged $29.95 for
1500-3600 and another $29.95 for 4200-12000. Charles has been the cheapest supplier from the US. It would be nice if the pen suppliers start stocking some of the kits and finishing products that are available in the US

**Hickory** · 8th April 2006, 06:54 AM

I don't have a clue what the money exchange rate is.... Or shipping cost would be.... But Rockler (www.rockler.com) has listed in USD Micro Mesh from 1500 to 12000 at $2.59 per 3" X 6" sheet.

Seems to be a darn shot cheaper than you guys are discribing.

**Ruffy** · 8th April 2006, 09:17 AM

You can also get Micro-Mesh from Carba-tec Canberra, they have a good starters kit for around the $30.00 mark. It has the following in it

1-3" x 4" Sheet 2400 MICRO-MESH
1-3" x 4" Sheet 3200 MICRO-MESH
1-3" x 4" Sheet 3600 MICRO-MESH
1-3" x 4" Sheet 4000 MICRO-MESH
1-3" x 4" Sheet 6000 MICRO-MESH
1-3" x 4" Sheet 8000 MICRO-MESH
1-2" x 3" Foam Sanding Block
1-1 oz. Bottle Micro-Gloss - (Use this with Acrylics or Dymondwood)
1-Flannel Cloth
1-Instructions

Take it nice and easy and as for all finishing do not skip a grade. The finish is great.

**DanP** · 8th April 2006, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Hickory

Seems to be a darn shot cheaper than you guys are discribing.

Get your calculator checked Hickory.

9 sheets for $10.50 = 1.11 per sheet.
1 sheet for $2.59 = 23.31 for 9 sheets.

Dan

**bdar** · 8th April 2006, 12:12 PM

Hickory, Rockler is expensive $2.59 per sheet = $23.41 for a set of the 9 grits,
Charles' price for a set of 9 grits is $10.50, that's $1.16 per sheet. If you buy the 12"x6" set of 9 grits it costs $32.50, you can cut 4 sets so that equates to $8.12 per set or .90c per sheet approximately. Exchange rate is around $1AUS buys about .70 - .73c US around $8.00 postage. I get 4 sets cheaper from Charles than I could from Carb-a-tec in Canberra. You don't get 1500 or 12000 in the set and you can use EEE for acrylics and Shellawax for diamondwood, a flannel cloth you can get anywhere and how to use the stuff there are some good forums on pen turning who are willing to share their knowldge. I buy from Carb-a-tec all the time in Brisbane they are top notch for service and supplies but any company that imports stuff will always be a bit dearer because import taxes, duties, customs that have to be paid.

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