Which Sand paper is best?

[The Smoking Yeti]

What is the best sand paper available for finish sanding?

I've seen a debate before, but don't now where, and I'd like to know your thoughts!

[sethile]

I really like Norton 3X for 220,320, and 400 grits. It cuts faster, cleaner, and loads up less than other sandpapers I've used. I've been buying it at Woodcraft, but imagine it is available on-line too. Be careful of some of the other grades Norton makes. The 3X is much better. I also like 3M Imperial Professional grade wet/dry sandpaper in the 400 and 600 grits, but when used dry, like I normally use it, tends to load up much quicker than the Norton. I mostly use the 600 on stems and only very occasionally on stummels in between stains as it tends to get the stummel too far polished to except stain well.

[andrew]

Norton 3x is readily available and cuts better than most. I have the same experience as Scott with the loading when using the wet/dry paper.

[Growley]

I like the Norton as well. I've found it at Home Depot, but Lowes doesn't carry it. In fact, I really like the Norton Wet Sand paper. I find it's more flexible and lasts longer.

I'm sure there's much better than Norton out there, but it gets the job done well enough for me.

[pipeguy]

For all my abrasive needs I go to http://www.keystoneabrasives.com how's that for a shameless plug?
Really though the great people with a great product. They make my slack belts and there great.

[Sasquatch]

Norton is bad, not even pretty good, compared to Sia.

You Norton guys are all big fat losers.

That Keystone link is nice, thanks Bob!

[baweaverpipes]

Norton is bad, not even pretty good, compared to Sia.

You Norton guys are all big fat losers.

That Keystone link is nice, thanks Bob!

We all find what is comfortable. When you say Norton is bad, you disparage the fine work of my friend Scott Thile. I consider his work to be exemplary and grossly overlooked. I've never seen scratches in his fine pieces.

[Sasquatch]

But he could have got there easier with Sia.


I kid you not. Sandpaper is sandpaper, on one hand. It has a scratchy side, and the more you use it, the less scratchy it gets.

Cheapest sandpaper has particles that break off in big chunks or breaks down in shapeless lumps. Better sandpaper breaks down in a way that leaves sharper particles for longer.

Better resin and better backing also makes for less folds, tears, etc.

Norton are middle of the road at best. I ran out of Siafast papers and picked up some super-duper qualit Norton pads, and they didn't cut worth beans and didn't last worth beans.

I'm not saying you can't get good results with Norton, but if you get access to better stuff, the Norton shows its true colors.

[SimeonTurner]

I only use shark skin that I harvest from baby great white sharks. I find it exceeds everything else, and I can charge triple because I use exotic sandpaper.

[oklahoma red]

Sas,
What are you using in the Sia line, the foam pads or say the 1913 sheets?
Chas.

[Sasquatch]

I like the foam pads, sort of 4x5" or so, I use them in 220, 320, 400, and 500 sometimes.

The SiaRexx is good too, sort of a cloth back strip, I can buy them in individual pads too..... can get a product number if you like. The cloth back ones roll really nice for sharp corners and transitions, with no creasing.

[The Smoking Yeti]

Sas, I'd appreciate product #s for sure! I need a good stash of abrasives.

[Alden]

I use Klingspor.
Funny name, serious sandpaper
I dont have much else in "high grade" sandpaper to compare it to, this is just what my local woodworking store carries. It's better than anything else I have ever used. Really keeps cutting for a long time without loading up in everything up to 600. 600 and higher loads up quick if you're using it dry, but wet it last a long time.
Brain Ruthenberg brought Klingspor paper to the pipemaking seminar in Chicago, dont know if thats what he always uses or if its just what he brought along but its definitely good stuff.

[oklahoma red]

Sas,
Yes, please provide some product numbers and I'll give them a shot.
I've been using a combination of 3M Tri-M-ite wet/dry and the Abranet pads. The Abranet is good stuff. I use all their grades from 180 thru 600.
Personal preference but I like the 3M paper over the Norton.
BTW, Mirka (the people that make the Abranet) is packaging some of their car polishes in little one ounce bottles and Woodcraft is carrying a 4 step kit plus individual bottles. Mirka Polarshine. I just got a kit but have not yet tried it. Might work wonders on stems.

Chas.

[Sasquatch]

Well, the Sia website is retarded, but here's the ones I use listed at this vendor (who I have not used)

http://www.directa.co.uk/site/scripts/p ... t_id=12144

[andrew]

Does anyone this side of the pond stock Sia?

[Sasquatch]

I get it at my local hardwood importer, the Black Forest Wood Company, so somebody distributes it, yeah.

Klingspor also seems to make good paper, but I've only ever used their 5" discs.

[caskwith]

I like mirka abrasives, their whole range is pretty good.

[pipeguy]

ai'm a Keystone man everybody else are a bunch of tards. Except Mr Turner who has the forethought
to sand with dogfish thus tripleing the value of his pipes.

[waznyf]

I didn't end up getting a straight answer from this thread lol
While I know the decision of sandpaper is entirely opinionated I didn't catch the general consensus.
Was it decided that Norton is good or Sia?

Guess I will try them both as I start working on my project.

-Frank