Got grit??

[Longcruise]

Ok, dumb way to introduce my question. 

Most here have a much larger background in woodworking and shop processes than I so maybe y'all con help unconfusacate .  With my sparse experience in finishing I've wondered about what various types of paper are best suited to wood.  Of the few things I've tried I feel like garnett paper has given pretty good results.   Then, I read somewhere on the net that garnett paper is not the best choice for wood.  However,  that source didn't suggest what is a better choice.

So what are the opinions of our bowyers here?  What has been your experience with the various options?   

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

Good thread! I am innthe market for a new mouse sander. Preferably one without holes and that I can find good quality paper for.

[Shredd]

  I think that in my experience with paper Garnet stays sharper longer than Alum Oxide...  I would think Garnet would be a good choice...  Zirc may stay sharper even longer bout I don't know about availablity and I think it is more expensive...

   Here is something to consider...  For sanding odd shapes if the paper gives out before the grit go cheap as long as you get the results you want...  But if the grit goes out first, buy a better Grit...  So anotherwards if you go with zirc and your paper is shot but the grit is still super sharp you just waisted $$...

[Buggs]

Good thread! I am innthe market for a new mouse sander. Preferably one without holes and that I can find good quality paper for.

I agree   There are so many types of sandpaper. Garnet is pretty exclusive to wood. It's on the soft end of the abrasive scale. It has the most inconsistent grading of the grit. It's also usually on the lightest weight backing. Sandpapers for auto work will typically have the most consistent grading, and grains that are less prone to fracturing. Garnet will cut faster during its lifespan, because it fractures, but it will have a shorter life. For power sanding it's hard to find anything other than aluminum oxide or a ceramic. Probably for good reasons!

[Mad Max]

I like the site

https://www.supergrit.com/

[Jeff tech]

I used this in auto body repair for years. I love it for my bow building too. JF

[Jeff tech]

It is a stikit sandpaper. I get it on a continuous roll. It also rolls on a 4D finish nail for those tight spots. JF

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

I have been ordering my belt sander and drum sander belts from Supergrit. Great prices and they seem to be good quality.

[Jeff tech]

This sandpaper is for my finish sanding an light shaping. JF

[Longcruise]

I used this in auto body repair for years. I love it for my bow building too. JF

How long are the rolls?

[Jeff tech]

You'd have to look it up on the website. There's a lot of feet there. It lasts a long time for me now at home. JF

[Jeff tech]

I just looked depending on the grip that you get 30 to 70 yards

[wood carver 2]

I used to swear by 3M garnet paper, but it seems like the company is cheaping out and using thinner paper than before. I’ve been trying different kinds of sandpaper now. I like the blue zirconia for my random orbit sander, and I have ordered some of the mesh type sandpaper as well. I haven’t used it much yet, so I can’t really comment on it. I have heard good things about it though.
Dave.

[Jeff tech]

Yeah I used to be a believer in 3M gold sandpaper and or the green in 80 grit. Not so much in the last 10, 15 years. Norton has far passed 3M in quality of sandpaper.... JF

[Buggs]

For hand sanding, I buy 3M silicon carbide by the box. It's good stuff and can be used for anything. For rolls, Mirka or Red Label.
The only brands that I won't buy are Harbor Freight and Gator grit.

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

I used a lot of Mirka when I did automotive painting.

Something else I forgot about. We have a Kli gspor store locally. They have a huge bin of sandpaper roll shorts and sheets from when they make there belts and stuff. They sell it by the pound. They have always given it to me when I buy something larger.
I just got about 5 lbs of assorted grit.

One of them was the Klingspor Gold stretch fabric backed. Man this stuff is the bomb for hand sanding! It has some stretch so it contours nicely.

[Longcruise]

The only brands that I won't buy are Harbor Freight and Gator grit.

I bought a package of that Harbor Freight a couple years ago.  Just threw the last of it in the trash yesterday.

[Kirkll]

For hand sanding, I buy 3M silicon carbide by the box. It's good stuff and can be used for anything. For rolls, Mirka or Red Label.
The only brands that I won't buy are Harbor Freight and Gator grit.

While I’m not familiar the silicon carbide stuff, like Buggs I’m a big fan of the Mirka brand and red label myself. I’ve been buying the 3M gold self adhesive stuff in rolls for my sanding blocks from the auto paint supply outfit I use.

I’ve been having issues getting 120 grit in 5” discs for my palm sanders this last year or so, but found some Zirc on Super-grit site recently. I’m due to re-up on my sanding block rolls. Those rolls last a long time.    Kirk

[Mad Max]

Yeah I used to be a believer in 3M gold sandpaper and or the green in 80 grit. Not so much in the last 10, 15 years. Norton has far passed 3M in quality of sandpaper.... JF

I'm going to try the Norton 9 x 11 sheets 80 grit for my Hog thickness sander, the 3M is not cutting it any more.

[Longcruise]

Yeah I used to be a believer in 3M gold sandpaper and or the green in 80 grit. Not so much in the last 10, 15 years. Norton has far passed 3M in quality of sandpaper.... JF

I'm going to try the Norton 9 x 11 sheets 80 grit for my Hog thickness sander, the 3M is not cutting it any more.

Have you ever tried something in the 36 to 50 range?