need sandpaper storage unit

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

David Walser

John,

For storage of sheets of abrasives, I use a tray that is about three inches tall and 9"x12". Each grit of abrasive is separated by tabbed hardboard dividers. The grit beneath the divider is marked on the tab. The hardboard dividers are heavy enough to keep the sheets of abrasive flat, yet it's very easy to lift the appropriate divider (and all the dividers above it) with one finger while pulling out a sheet of the appropriate grit with your other hand. It's simple, holds a lot of sandpaper in various grits, and because you don't waste space "storing air" between each of the grits, it is very compact.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

John K Jordan

I once made a bunch of quick drawers for photographic paper. Four sides of 1/4" plywood and a bottom of masonite that extended about 3/8" past the drawer sides which also served as the drawer runners. The masonite slid into grooves cut into the cabinet sides.

For sandpaper open shelves might be as nice but a drawer that pulls out, open or not on the front, could also make it easier to access 1/2, 1/4 sheets in the same drawer as the full sheets.

JKJ

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Greg Haugen

I've been using the "three drawer" units for years. They work very well. I have four of them. I can pull them from the shelf and put them on the cart so I can have them easily accessible right at the lathe. The cart is an old EKG cart from the ER that has been re-purposed. I like the deeper drawers because I can keep full sheets, torn pieces, and even discs in them. I've never tried that other kind of unit.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

john lucas

John that's more or less what I was thinking.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Ivan Clark

There is a pic of the Jointech Sand Box that they used to make over on Today's Homeowner site.

http://www.todayshomeowner.com/top-10-gift-tool-ideas-for-2010/

It looks fairly simple to build: base, 2 sides, and a back with tabbed floating hardboard for separation and to keep the sheets from curling.

It sounds like it meets your requirements.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Barry Irby

I made a set of shelves about nine by twelve with abut four shelves abut 1 1/2" apart. Not sure its a good design. Should have been 10 by 13 (some sandpaper if bigger now) and there should have been taller slots for more room and more slots. Drawers would have been better even if they were three sided pull outs. And more of them. Make one for each grade and type. And a couple of extras.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

john lucas

I just don't like the idea of having to hold up each layer to pull out what I need. the way I use my paper is to pull out a sheet, tear a section off, then tear off a smaller piece to be used leaving the other on top. The piece I'm using will be used again if I don't use all of it. Having to lift up a stack every time I want to find a small piece of pull out another one seems to be a hassle.

What I do now is slide the drawer out and often leave it out until I'm done. I may need more than one piece depending on the project. It also makes it easy to remember what grit I'm using so I can easily put it back.

What I'm thinking is a design similar to what John Jordan mentioned. Cut a board wide enough to slide in slots on both sides and long enough to be it's own drawer pull. Then simply put a rectangle of wood on top to keep the sandpaper in place.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Richie

I don't know if its a better way,just convenient for me. I use a loose leaf binder that holds 11x9" folders. Index the different grits with the dividers that come with the book. All I need in a small package.

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Doug Ladendorf

One of these attached would be helpful for cutting sheets to size.

http://www.rockler.com/rockler-sandpaper-cutter

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Joe Fleming

I primarily use J-Flex rolls from Klingspor. I have a 1" broom handle suspended near my lathe. I slide the rolls on in order. High enough that I do not have to duck. I have sanding disks in a plastic case with a divider for each size and grit. Since I use 2" and 3", I also have two pre-made frosting containers with the snap-on lids with an assortment of 2" and 3" grits respectively. For flat sheets, I precut them into the sizes I use, return them to the original packing, and keep them in a magazine shelf organizer. For every piece of paper or cloth, when I tear it off, I mark the back with a Sharpie so I know the grit. Paper makers never print the grit frequently enough.

I agree.....

Barry Irby

My unit does not have pull outs. Bummer. I tend to put pieces back into the slots and they get stuffed to the back and interfere with putting larger pieces back.

I also tend to buy larger quantities of some, say fifty or 100 sheets, so they stay around a long time and over fill the spaces.

I think three sided pull outs would work well. Make them 2 or 2 1/2" deep if you have the room.

I have a little organizer cabinet with tip out bins for sanding discs at the lathe, it works well.

Re: I agree.....

John K Jordan

For the lathe, this has worked extremely well for me. Cloth-backed Klingspor Gold, 1" and 2" rolls. Rather than tearing a sheet I tear off a strip.

I eventually got rid of the 80 grit since I generally only used them for cleaning brake drums and in their place put a section of cut-down roll of paper shop towels.

JKJ

Re: I agree.....

john lucas

I tried that for a while but I prefer sandpapers that don't come in strips. Your method works very well and did it for years, but I'm really a fan of the Norton 3X. I get a lot more life out of the sandpaper than I ever did with the Klingspor gold. I not a fan of using dull sandpaper but you can wipe a piece on your levi's and it will clean it well enough to keep on sanding. The Norton stuff just keeps on sanding and sanding.

Re: I agree.....

John K Jordan

Hmm... I have to try the Norton 3X. I clean the Klingspor Gold with the method you mentioned (except with generic jeans - I can't afford genuine Levis!) For the mostly smaller things I make the 1" strips are the perfect size. I got a lifetime supply so I also find it painless to tear off and use a short strip then throw it away.

One thing that bugs me about all sandpaper is trying to keep up with the grit size on a smaller piece. If the makers would simply print the grit in small numbers every inch or so over the entire batch it would make it easier on some of us. I write the grit on the back with a sharpie if I plan on using it and some others several times.

BTW, I think I mentioned this before but for many things my absolute favorite soft, flexible sanding block is a Magic Rub white eraser. The 2" strips fit perfectly.

The local dollar store had clones, 5 for a dollar.

JKJ

Re: I agree.....

Mike Stafford

I like using strips of Klingspor Gold. Of course I buy it in bulk from the Woodworking Shop bins.

One thing that I have found when using strips is that you can easily clean it if you insert the strip you are using into a crevice tool on your shop vacuum. I keep one on my shop vacuum most of the time to clean nooks and crannies in turnings and also to clean the chuck and between the ways. When you put a strip into the crevice tool with the vacuum running it will flap at high velocity and beat itself clean inside the crevice tool. This works for most woods not oily ones.

At $3 per pound I don't worry about the cost of sandpaper much. I have plastic buckets full of virtually every grit. I used to buy the Klingspor Gold to use for my class and have more than I can possibly use in my lifetime.

Re: I agree.....

Greg Haugen

Yes. I really like the Norton 3X too. It takes a lot to wear the stuff out. Great sanding paper. Being up North (Wisconsin), it's also more readily available than Klingspor.

Re: I agree.....

Greg Haugen

Wow. $3 a pound. Yeah, that's awesome. Unfortunately, no options for Klingspor around me up here. I really like your tip, Mike, for cleaning sanding paper. Genius. Beats it clean and contains the dust while doing so. Like it.

Re: I agree.....

John K Jordan

Do you have to go there a lot to get all the grits? When I was in a Klingspore store (once only, in Asheville) I looked through the bin but it was mostly 240 and coarser grits and wider than I wanted. I use more 400 than anything, followed by 320.

JKJ

Re: I agree.....

Mike Stafford

Yes, John, I went there a lot but it was not out of the way because my office was in Raleigh where the store was located and over time I accumulated many, many pounds of each grit. I was able to buy some used commercial laundry detergent tubs that seal like fiber barrels with a snap ring around the lid. I keep individual grits in different tubs that stack nicely labeled with the grit. The tubs have rolls that I have fabricated in 1", 2" and 4" width.

You know you've hit the jackpot when you find remnants of large rolls from wide belt sanders in the bins. I still have plastic tubs filled with those in various grits that I haven't broken down into narrower strips.

My method for storing sandpaper leaves a lot to be desired but it works for me. I tear off 6" lengths of each grit in 1-2" wide strips and hold them with large binder clips. The clips can hang from pegboard hooks and all I have to do to retrieve the desired grit is take down a binder clip and remove a strip.

Re: I agree.....

John K Jordan

>>> The tubs have rolls that I have fabricated in 1", 2" and 4" width.

Mike, how do you make the strips? Seems like tearing them would leave "fuzzy" edges (I use the edges to get into corners).

JKJ

Re: need sandpaper storage unit

Dennis in Southern Oregon

Greg, I'm impressed that you never need 80 and 120 grit paper. javascript:insertTags(":D");

Re: I agree.....

Mike Stafford

Some have fuzzy edges and some do not. I would guess a majority do. When I want to sand into a nook or cranny as you describe I just trim the paper with utility shears.

I tried cutting the paper into strips with scissors and razor knives but the scissors were a whole lot like work and the razor knives became blunt instruments in short order.

I just fold the sandpaper and use that edge

Re: I just fold the sandpaper and use that edge

Mike Stafford

I do as well unless the space is too small.