77 replies to this topic

[Dayhiker]

I am declaring war on anybody -- and there are many of you -- who goes higher than 220 grit when finishing your forks.

1) Tons of very nice furniture is made where sanding goes to 220 grit -- period.
2) You do not make up for shaping deficits by making it smoother.
3) Slingshots that are too smooth are hard to hold, and also discourage use for being too "pretty".

Who's with me on this?

[Hrawk]

1) Tons of very nice furniture is made where sanding goes to 220 grit -- period.

Spot on. I think people would be surprised how good a job bees wax does of filling in and hiding the smaller scratches. Same with a good varnish or lacquer.

2) You do not make up for shaping deficits by making it smoother.

Yep.

3) Slingshots that are too smooth are hard to hold, and also discourage use for being too "pretty".

​ Absolutely. Mind you, I have several slingshots here that I will probably never shoot for that reason, but they sure do look nice in the collection.

With my current love of using acrylics though, I'm still stuck with sanding through the higher grades. That stuff is very unforgiving and shows up each and every minute scratch.

[mckee]

its feels awesome when its so smooth though imo

[Hrawk]

He makes a very good point too about being too smooth can make it hard to hold onto. Take my ice frames for example, if you have wet or sweaty hands, they really are like trying to hold onto a block of ice.

[Dayhiker]

mckee, on 05 February 2012 - 05:05 PM, said:

its feels awesome when its so smooth though imo

With all due respect, though, Mckee, so what? Are you a sculptor or a maker of slingshots? What does ultra smoothness contribute?

[Henry in Panama]

Dayhiker, on 05 February 2012 - 04:55 PM, said:

I am declaring war on anybody -- and there are many of you -- who goes higher than 220 grit when finishing your forks.

1) Tons of very nice furniture is made where sanding goes to 220 grit -- period.
2) You do not make up for shaping deficits by making it smoother.
3) Slingshots that are too smooth are hard to hold, and also discourage use for being too "pretty".

Who's with me on this?

You have a friend in Panama.

[Danny0663]

People have different preferences of what their ideal "Finish" is.
People may need to sand all the way to 2000grit + for ovious reasons (Polishing frames)
and then some frames may only need 220grit.

I believe theres no right or wrong.

Edited by Danny0663, 05 February 2012 - 05:38 PM.

[mckee]

less chance of rubbing that causing blisters

[Hrawk]

Dayhiker, on 05 February 2012 - 05:20 PM, said:

Are you a sculptor or a maker of slingshots? What does ultra smoothness contribute?

Why can't a person be both ? Is it a crime to go the extra effort on a slingshot and turn it into a work of art ?

There is one place where ultra smoothness is a big benefit and that is the fork tips. The smoother the finish, the less abrasion and wear on the bands.

[mckee]

Hrawk, on 05 February 2012 - 05:45 PM, said:

Dayhiker, on 05 February 2012 - 05:20 PM, said:

Are you a sculptor or a maker of slingshots? What does ultra smoothness contribute?

Why can't a person be both ? Is it a crime to go the extra effort on a slingshot and turn it into a work of art ?

There is one place where ultra smoothness is a big benefit and that is the fork tips. The smoother the finish, the less abrasion and wear on the bands.

great point hrawk
i try to do my best on all frames personally i like the finest finish possible just that little effort with i think makes it feel better

[smitty]

[Performance Catapults]

220 is all I use

[smitty]

I don't have the patience to keep sanding when I can't even hold onto it anymore while working on it. Especially if sanding sealer is used for the first two coats.

[Dayhiker]

Nobody said anything about right or wrong. I just think things can be taken to ridiculous extremes in any realm. Beyond 220 is ridiculous in my opinion. All I'm trying to do here is establish what the general opinion is.

Must admit, though, that I will still disagree with 220+ responders.

Edit: Must add that anyone can keep sanding and sanding. Doesn't make you a better craftsman.

Edited by Dayhiker, 05 February 2012 - 06:55 PM.

[M_J]

I hardly ever make slingshots anymore but I've never been a big sander. 220 has always been where I finish off.

[melvin]

Dayhiker,
Have to agree whole heartedly . You have a few of mine and they are most generally finish sanded with the abrasive sponge type stuff,a coat or two of satin poly, steel wooled between coats, and the final finish is a coat of Min-Wax paste wax rubbed out. Works for me although I'm going to try a linseed soak on some.
Melvin

[Jesus Freak]

I agree with you DH

[Dayhiker]

I have a few over-finished slingshots from various makers. Sometimes they are good shooters, but it is never because they are sanded beyond common sense. No extra points for having huge patience with sandpaper.

I repeat. No one in the world is not capable of sanding a slingshot up to the highest grit there is. So beyond 220 you don't get extra points with me. Others will disagree, of course, but that puts you in different category. You belong in the "lovers of impractical stuff" group. You are art lovers. Which is certainly okay. I love art too. I'm just sayin' .... but I want to be a craftsman myself. And a shooter.

[marcus sr]

i like my foot in both camps

[Dayhiker]

marcus sr, on 05 February 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

i like my foot in both camps

Pick one or the other, Marcus, and you will reach your full potential. Don't dither.

[Hrawk]

You cant get a finish like this only sanding to 220.

To each their own.

[marcus sr]

Dayhiker, on 05 February 2012 - 07:31 PM, said:

marcus sr, on 05 February 2012 - 07:27 PM, said:

i like my foot in both camps

Pick one or the other, Marcus, and you will reach your full potential. Don't dither.

you may have a point,granted

[Rayshot]

I will do both but I will say one of my things in life is what I go by in my business and I am quite picky for quality.

I put it this way to get top notch results; "Do as little as possible but as much as necessary for the required results."

There can be reasons to go to a higher grit. But for most people's needs, 220 is quite good especially if applying multiple coats that are sanded at least once between coats

Edited by Rayshot, 05 February 2012 - 07:38 PM.

[Rayshot]

And I agree that some catty designs are plain dangerous for me if too slick. My first natural I feared for my teeth because it was too slick for that particular design. Other designs of naturals could be nearly greased and would be fine.

[M_J]

Dayhiker, on 05 February 2012 - 04:55 PM, said:

I am declaring war on anybody -- and there are many of you -- who goes higher than 220 grit when finishing your forks.

"Of course you realize, this means war!"

No way Marvin the Martain is sanding past 220.