Truly hard sanding blocks?

N

northerndave

What are you guys using when you need a truly rigid block for blocking filler/primer?
 
I have a few similar to this but mine have a different style wooden handle:
16InchSandingBlock.jpg
 
Acrylic sheets from home depot. Cut to shape however you need. The thinner flexible ones work amazingly well. Use them from filler through the first round of wet sanding clear. Also have Hutchins blocks. Check out Jeff Lilly restoration website. They have a page about making blocks.
 
thanks guys.

I'm using (literally at the moment) an old block I made from a hickory splitting maul handle that I broke while splitting wood about 10 years ago. I had forgotten I had it, it's a great block with a nice oval profile. I trued it with psa roll paper rolled out on a flat steel surface. I checked it with a straight edge and it was still true after all these years.

I have been thinking about this since a couple of weeks ago when I hung up my hutchins AF 16 like pictured above. I checked it with a straight edge and it wasn't flat at all. the 2 ends touched and the middle floated up away from the panel.

My local hardware store doesn't carry any plexiglass thicker that 1/4"

I may check that out, but for now I might just make a couple more hardwood blocks.
 
I've always been one for making most of my sanding blocks and also truing up new blocks and occasional rechecking existing blocks . My first sanding block was your typical paint stirring stick, which a decent one can still have it's use today.
There is pretty much a sanding block you can buy or make for any particular need or mood. I've used all sorts of both hard & softwood, plastics ,foams ,rubbers, metals, & combinations of materials.

At the end of the day, any good tool is just an extension of the user's hand.
 
Thanks guys.

How about PSA roll paper, what's everyones favorite? I'm gravitating towards 3M gold more and more because it peels off the block cleaner for me. Others I've tried leave adhesive on the block face then I've got down time (even a minor amount is frustrating) for cleaning. This is where the dura blocks irritate me, the material seems more prone to adhesive build up and clean up is more challenging. My hard faced blocks are a breeze to clean, I have a couple of the spring steel faced AFS blocks and they are incredibly easy to keep clean.
 
3m Gold 320 is the absolute worst I've ever used for leaving adhesive on a block (specifically Durablocks). I can't tell you how bad it is for me. Entire sheet of adhesive will cling to the block sometimes. IMO 3M is the worst for leaving adhesive on the block in almost all grits but especially 320. Been using Mirka Gold and trying some Norton that does much better than 3M in terms of leaving adhesive. I can't tell any difference in how those brands sand versus 3M either.
 
Solid pvc for runs. Sand edges of pvc so you don't groove paint. 1 grain of sand though will hurt.
run3.jpg
 
3m Gold 320 is the absolute worst I've ever used for leaving adhesive on a block (specifically Durablocks). I can't tell you how bad it is for me. Entire sheet of adhesive will cling to the block sometimes. IMO 3M is the worst for leaving adhesive on the block in almost all grits but especially 320. Been using Mirka Gold and trying some Norton that does much better than 3M in terms of leaving adhesive. I can't tell any difference in how those brands sand versus 3M either.


Oh wow, I was going to say the opposite! lol!

Mirka and Indasa are the worse for me, freaking snot balls all gummed up on dura blocks specifically. I have no troubles with 3M on the same blocks.

Something weird I found with trying to clean adhesive from dura blocks. Solvent just smears it around, believe it of not, I have the best luck cleaning my dura blocks with orange hand cleaner, citrus based.

"orange goop"

I have a gallon pumper jug by my shop sink.
 
I use Sunmight and Norton roll psa paper and have never had adhesive transfer. I also like the orange hand cleaner for the blocks. If the dust builds up too much on the durablocks the paper fights to stay stuck in place
 
I use Mirka and don't have much of an issue. I don't leave the paper on the blocks overnight either (not saying you do, it just seems the longer it's on there, the stuckerer it gets )
 
I never have an issue with Norton. indasa is awful. 3m is funny. all the grits stick well and do leave a little residue on the block over time however the 400 is just the opposite and falls off the block. I cant ever get it to stick. been like that for years. I stopped buying 400 3m a long time ago.
 
I use wood blocks and true them up on a 18 inch piece of mirror with PSA 80 grit attached!
 
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