Official Luthiers Forum!

Ok Dumb question here. But better to ask and look stupid then to screw up... also give you guys somthing to laugh about.

Try to keep in mine that Im very new to "fine" woodworking.

Should I just by my sand paper at Home Depot or is there specail papers for fine woodworking?

Al, you can get quite technical with a bunch of this stuff. But for this guitar, go to Home Depot. Most of my papers are from places like there. I usually buy the 50 sheet boxes and I go through it like crazy!

Oh ya!! There are no dumb questions....just dummies that don't ask questions!! There is an old saying "It is better to make mistakes on paper than on your project", so PLEASE!!!! ask away....

ShaneShane Neifer39050.7046643519

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Canada

what grits should I have on hand?

For building, I use 80 to 400 grits. For finishing, I use 600 to 4000.

Sandpaper can get dull very fast. Change it often.

The stuff with one side that has adhesive is real nice to have. You can stick it on a flat surface or a curved shape.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Get the Norton 3X stuff... its great. I only use 100 grit and 220 grit for general guitar making(with that stuff, 220 cleans up 100grit scratches fast).

Finishing is a different story.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

I am like Joshua, 120 and 220 for most things. I have 80 grit also but it is reserved for when I have some 'grinding' to do. My experience is that 220 is fine enough. You will erally get to the fine paper after the finish is applied. This experience is from general woodworking but I have had this discussion with a lot builders and they do the same, 220 then finish.

Shane

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Canada

I'll second the Norton paper recomendation. I get mine from HD and I really like it.

Change often. I have a box that I keep all these left over pieces in. Very handy.

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Let me put my foot in my mouth I agree that for 80-320 the Norton gold 3x is great paper for the price. but once you get to 400 and finer grits the local hardware stores and HD don't carry much and what they do carry is lightweitht paper. For 400-1000 I like 3M's Impervious "A" weight wet/dry papers. there are other great papers out there also. But don't waist you money on Ace Hardware's wet/dry paper they are junk in my opinion. I also really like Micro-Mesh for ultra fine sanding of finishes.

I've gone through many types of 3M, Norton, Klinspor, Mirka, and several
others and finally settled on Sait abrasives. I use coated aluminum oxide
for 80, 120, 180, 240, and 320 grits, and silicone carbide wet/dry for
320, 400, and 800 grits. Micromesh is still the champion when you want
to go past 1200.

Every abrasive maker typically has a number of different backings,
abrasive material, and coatings for each grit, which can make all the
difference in the world. The Klingspor wet/dry and 3M Gold stuff is
generally quite good, and Norton is one that I've experimented less with,
mostly by reason of easy availability. A local woodworking store has
selected Sait as thier main supplier and I have liked it more than the
Klingspor, Mirka, or 3m Gold by a slim margin.

As a general rule I would suggest at least a coated aluminum oxide for
anything 120 or above, and wet/dry silicone carbide by the time you
reach 400. If you buy the paper in hand at a store it is always a good
idea to fold a corner to check how well it is bonded to the backing.
Abrasives that crack or flake when the paper is folded can be a nuisance,
while better abrasives will stay bonded to the backing when folded.David Collins39051.1719444444

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

Get yourself an abrasive cleaning stick (kind of like a giant rubber eraser, available from just about any woodworking supplier). When your paper starts to load, lay it flat on the bench and just rub it by hand.

Another good paper for the super fine grits is available from Meguiar's. Google for Meguiar's and get it direct from their web site. If you don't find it, ask me again and I'll try to get you a link.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

[QUOTE=jfrench] Get the Norton 3X stuff... its great. I only use 100 grit and 220 grit for general guitar making(with that stuff, 220 cleans up 100grit scratches fast).

Finishing is a different story.[/QUOTE]

Now I'm disappointed, don't forget Joshua, you're my role model, and I thought you just used broken glass scrapers and shagreen to smooth your wood. Kind of goes with the luthiers knife and pile of fish skins. (But not the ***** POWER BUFFER!) Now I hear your using sandpaper. What is the world coming to?

Colin

PS I did actually just use shagreen on my second lute to smooth the wood, and I have switched back to sandpaper! I don't use any abrasives on the finish.

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=Todd Rose] Get yourself an abrasive cleaning stick (kind of like a giant rubber eraser, available from just about any woodworking supplier). [/QUOTE]
Those work really well on coarse, open coat paper, but I've gotten better results on other papers with those soft white erasers that can be found in office supply stores. Get the cheaper, off-brand erasers. They work just as well.

Colin,

I've also got a shop vac and some radius dishes...

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

I forgot to mention I am definitely not a suitable role model!

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

[QUOTE=jfrench] I forgot to mention I am definitely not a suitable role model![/QUOTE]

*GASP* Say it aint so!

This lurker is crushed!

[QUOTE=bbeardb] [QUOTE=jfrench] I forgot to mention I am definitely not a suitable role model![/QUOTE]

*GASP* Say it aint so!

This lurker is crushed! [/QUOTE]

me three!

i am a member of the other OLF (Official Luthier- jFrench Fanclub) so i'm surprised but my faith has not waivered. (Go egg sizing!) I still look up to his work as i build my first classical.