Sanding Things #2

[Sycamore67]

This is another sanding topic that might be useful.  I sometimes need to sand the edges of a narrow cut or vein. These are sometimes too narrow for cloth backed sand paper.    If I use just a thin piece of regular sandpaper, it breaks very quickly. So, I take thin but good quality sandpaper and back it with packing tape.

Then simply cut into whatever width and length strips you like.  I make them from typically 180, 220, and 320 grit sandpaper.

[Gonzo]

That’s a good idea 

[BadBob]

I glued strips of sandpaper to popsicle sticks shaped to my specific needs.

Most of the sandpaper I have a cloth backing.
 

[BadBob]

Diamond needle files are not exactly sandpaper, but I find they can serve the same purpose and I find them quite useful. They are cheap and last a very long time in my shop.

WARRIOR

Needle File Set, 10 Piece

[Wichman]

I have found the needle files too coarse for my needs most of the time. Then a friend gave me a " bead reamer ", designed to enlarge the holes in small jewelry beads, these are smaller than needle files and much finer than typical needle files. Then I found bead reamers that are designed to be used in a Dremel tool.

https://www.amazon.com/10pc-Diamond-Reamer-Dremel-Rotary/dp/B018MNCZ4K?pd_rd_w=bE06y&content-id=amzn1.sym.deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_p=deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_r=EHFFXWZNR00FZ6B88YC0&pd_rd_wg=gUHoq&pd_rd_r=12880f64-d5b1-4b14-b0ba-b30f9717379e&pd_rd_i=B018MNCZ4K&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_i

These things are great. one inch long taper, needle point to 1/16 inch wide at the top.

[Sycamore67]

Interesting that someone used cloth backed sandpaper as I have not had good luck doing that.  Paper backed sandpaper worked better for me.

I have needle files that I use but will need to look at the diamond ones.

Part of the reason I started this thread is to find out what others are using.

[Roberta Moreton]

Emery boards from the dollar store. 

[daveww1]

another great idea

[BadBob]

You can get fine diamond needle files, just not from harbor freight.

I have old-school steel needle files for fine work if needed.

[barb.j.enders]

Thanks for all the tips.  I have just used plain sandpaper for veining but will look to add tape to the back for a bit of support.  I also use emery boards and have needle files.  Just looked at the link for the ones for the dremel ($13 from your link to $46 on the Canadian site).

[Sycamore67]

Emery boards are great but sometimes they are too coarse or too big for some jobs.

[BadBob]

These com in handy from time to time in my shop.

Craft Sanding Scraps, 5 Oz Bag, Mixed Grit, Various Shapes & Sizes

They are a bit of a crapshoot as far grit size. These are scraps from maling fingernail files. I have seen the the finger nail files available in grits from 80-12,000. I cost a lot more but you can buy fingernail files in individual grits.