Sanding sponges - and now angle grinders and pads.

[Stuart Clayman]

What is the order of the color of the sponges from roughest to smoothest?

[Lauri Levanto]

Mine are of two brands with different color coding!

A rule of thumb SEEMS TO BE that
coarse pads have small patches of abrasive
fine grits come with larger patches.
-lauri

[Brad Walker]

What is the order of the color of the sponges from roughest to smoothest?

Depends on the brand.

[Stuart Clayman]

Not sure what brand I have. They came as a set so I assuem that they are the same manufacturer.

The colors are Green, black, yellow, red and white. The green is the roughest, then the black, and the white I think if the finest. I am not sure between the yellow and red.

[Rebecca M.]

My yellow one says 320. The ink is gone from all the rest and I don't know what brand they are either.

[Stuart Clayman]

Mine do not have any writing on them.

[charlie holden]

If they are 3M they are on this page:

http://www.granquartz.com/hand.htm

ch

[Stuart Clayman]

Thanks Charlie,
That was it. So, I have the 60, 120, 220, 400 and the 800. I also see there is a 600 and a 1800. Does anyone use these 2?

Stuart

[Brad Walker]

That was it. So, I have the 60, 120, 220, 400 and the 800. I also see there is a 600 and a 1800. Does anyone use these 2?

The really fine grits aren't used on glass, just granite and things like that. Remember, most of these pads are probably bought for polishing rocks, not for working with glass.

[Lauri Levanto]

I have only two hand pads.
The set rotating pads I have for angular grinder
goes to 1800 (orange).
It gives a nice polish to glass, but not perfect gloss.
I suppose pumice and cerium are unavoidable steps.

One should use the pads in binary order.
First coarse, then double the grit and work until
magnifying glass reveas no coarse markings.
Double the grit again etc.
Remember to wash the glass, hands and the workin area
between each grit.
Use some pressure on the pads, and plenty of water.
A thin white sludge is what you want to see.

-lauri

[Stuart Clayman]

The set rotating pads I have for angular grinder
goes to 1800 (orange).

-lauri

If I understand you correctly you have a angular grinder, I assume like the one in the link below, that has a set of rotating pads that goes to 1800. Where does one get diamond pads to fit those in the US? Anyone knows?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2464724511

[charlie holden]

The set rotating pads I have for angular grinder
goes to 1800 (orange).

-lauri

If I understand you correctly you have a angular grinder, I assume like the one in the link below, that has a set of rotating pads that goes to 1800. Where does one get diamond pads to fit those in the US? Anyone knows?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2464724511

Better angle grinders have water feeds through the shaft. Go back to the link I posted before and click around.

ch

[charlie]

The set rotating pads I have for angular grinder
goes to 1800 (orange).

-lauri

If I understand you correctly you have a angular grinder, I assume like the one in the link below, that has a set of rotating pads that goes to 1800. Where does one get diamond pads to fit those in the US? Anyone knows?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2464724511

the granite polishing industry has used these forever. i just had a granite slab edge polished. wish i worked there to just play with the tools. look at headstone or countertop tooling. poke around at http://www.granitecitytool.com/

[gthomson]

If I understand you correctly you have a angular grinder, I assume like the one in the link below, that has a set of rotating pads that goes to 1800. Where does one get diamond pads to fit those in the US? Anyone knows?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2464724511

Well, I've got one of those, and I'd like to know as well. Would silicon carbide discs be OK?

Which brings me to a related question: what other 'home shop' tools can be pressed into service temporarily/cheaply untill the specialized stuff gets acquired? I've got a bench grinder, metal lathe, drill press, router, dremel, and all the typical things like drills.

Thanks,

Glenn

[Jack Bowman]

Stuart asks...

If I understand you correctly you have a angular grinder, I assume like the one in the link below, that has a set of rotating pads that goes to 1800. Where does one get diamond pads to fit those in the US? Anyone knows?



Stuart,

http://www.granitecitytool.com/stone-to ... catnum=252

Jack

[Stuart Clayman]

Ok, now that I know that I can get disks for it.. and I konw that there are some people that use that type of grinder for glass. What do ya'll use it for? Doing a buff job on it? Sorry it reminds me of a car buffer.

Stuart

[Lauri Levanto]

Hi Stuart
The disks I have are of Telum Brand,
most propably US made.

The grinder is of that type, a bit stronger that car polishing tools.

In fact I use the pads on a handheld drill
- to get variable speed control. They work best in moderate speed.

I do grind of flashings, sometimes level out
the base of a cast piece.
I am still testing with the fine applications like polishing.
They can be used for larger flat areas, so my style of sculpting has to take it in consideration.

They work pretty fast when cleaning of needling of flat pieces.

There are similar disks for a Dremel-type tool, maybe
2" diam. Mine are 5". That source carries
small cylindrical pads for Dremel, too.

Hope to get hands on such.

-lauri

[StaceyG]

Does anyone know where to get the 3Mâ„¢ Diamond Files and pads without having to order them on the internet. Does someplace like Home Depot or Lowes carry them? Or should I go to a specialty shop of some kind?

Thanks,
Stacey

[charlie]

woodworking specialty stores