doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com sandpaper

What are your recommendations for the best paper for stock work? Specifically, 150-320 grit dry paper. Thanks.

I have had good luck with 3M sandblaster

I have been using Klingspor J-flex cloth-backed rolls and really like them. I just bought one of their bargain boxes-- 5# of rolls for $20. There is also a 20# box for $40.

I bought the adhesive backed rolls because the reviews of the regular rolls said many people were not getting good variety. The adhesive box that I got had very coarse to medium fine (60-400 I believe). I would order it again in the future. Here is a link.

On the other end of the cost spectrum, I just bought a box of fine Eagle Abrasives Super Assilex from Stewmac. If they are as good as the reviews say, then I think it will be money well-spent. Supposedly last a very long time and don't clog like regular paper. But they are defintely expensive: Link

I have experienced very good performance with Norton A275 sandpaper. It is very sharp. Stays sharp for a long time. And does not clog. Excellent perfomance on both wood and steel. Norton isn't cheap to buy but I think if you figured cost/sanding time and quality it would be cheap.

And this comes from a guy who grew up in St. Paul with many 3M employees in my neighborhood. I grew up supporting 3M products. I worked in the hardwood furniture industry and did some deep dives in to abrasive performance back in the '80s. Had a chance to spend some time at the 3M test lab learning about their different products and what should be used in different furniture and wood species applications. Maybe 3M or someone else has a product equal to the Norton a275 but I'm not aware of it. That said, I haven't tried the 3M Sandlblaster or Klingspor paper. So I can't compare them. I have used both of their belts on a 2'x72" belt grinder and like them both.

I learned about the Norton a275 when in Trinidad summer gunsmithing classes from guys like Chuck Grace, Dennis Potter and Glenn Fewless. The paper back is stiff enough not to flex too much when just held around a sanding block. If you really want to produce a flat surface then gluing it on to a sanding block with a spray adhesive permits high quality sanded finishes. There are also some rolls of Norton a275 with a adhesive back that I'm starting to use.

Gary

Thanks for these replies. They're very helpful.

I used the eagle assilex sheets for the first time this morning, and they are really great. the kit comes with a small block for flats and a separate pad for hand sanding, which I used for tight spaces and curves. The only down side is the kit starts at 600 grit, so you have to buy coarse grits separately

I suppose any good brand should work correctly. More important from my point of view, is to change sand paper quite often.... Not because it is 3M you can use it for years.... As soon as you have doubts, new sheet. Even more, new sheet for each project or stock. The cost little money

or stock work, I’ve had the best luck sticking with quality aluminum oxide paper in that 150–320 range—it cuts clean, lasts longer, and doesn’t load up as fast as cheaper stuff. Something like 3M Pro-Pak 150 Grit Sandpaper for your initial passes and 3M Pro Grade Precision 320 Grit Sheets to refine works well.

150 grit is great for general shaping and prep, while 220–320 is where you start really smoothing things out for finish.

I usually avoid bargain paper—good abrasive makes the job easier and more consistent.