3M sanding pads gone?

Look in Lowe’s, Home Depot, or any hardware store.

Tojo72

Also maybe Amazon

 

I forget what they are called, though.  I know they are 3M, but the one I just threw away was the last one from the package. I do remember they called them something but can't remember what.

Try an auto paint supply store.  I use some gray 3M 400 grit.  They are dry sand pads, don't know if they'll hold up for wet sand or not.  No perforations in them. Stamped "3M Superfine"

goldhammer

Try an auto paint supply store.  I use some gray 3M 400 grit.  They are dry sand pads, don't know if they'll hold up for wet sand or not.  No perforations in them. Stamped "3M Superfine"

 

Nope- not the same.  The ones I am talking about are on a blue substrate, the grit itself is just a slightly different shade of blue- though it may be colorless but so small it changes shade of substrate.

gobobbie

Don, sanding sponges are available at American Science and Surplus. A very good source for some modeling supplies.

 

Yeah, but not the same stuff

Yesterday I was cleaning out the sandpaper drawer in my bench, and I found a piece, about two inches square, of that stuff I have been looking for.  Since I now believe 3M has discontinued the stuff, I will treasure it and only use it for inside corners/curves where its flexibility is really needed :-)

don . have you tried tamiya ?

steve5

don . have you tried tamiya ?

 

No!  I was not aware that Tamiya offered any sanding products.  What are they like?

Hey Don. Is the the stuff you are looking for?

No!  I was not aware that Tamiya offered any sanding products.  What are they like?

I have 3m pads as well as tamiya , they look exactly alike to me and perform the same , and I am sure you can still get 3m from e-bay as well don .

Nope, those are something different.  3M seems to be using the term Sandblaster to be a whole line of novel sanding materials.  I will try to shoot pic of the stuff I mean.

Don Stauffer

Nope, those are something different.  3M seems to be using the term Sandblaster to be a whole line of novel sanding materials.  I will try to shoot pic of the stuff I mean.

 

 

these are what I was talking about don .

I buy these by the box from my local auto body supply ... Norton Soft Touch pads  ... I think the range goes from 100 to microfine ...

Paul

Here is a shot of my remaining piece of the material.  This is 600 grit- it came in 400 and I believe maybe 400.

Note the holes.  This made it very flexible and allowed the water to more easily flush away the sanding dust.

You were not kidding about it being a checkerboard pattern. I will check some of the stores in my area as I go about. I will let you know.

Don

After seeing your picture I knew it looked familiar so I checked and indeed have a 3 pack of 3M Sandblaster Flexible Finishing pads 2 1/4X5 3/4 in 400 grit and a pack with 2 3X9 also in 400 grit. I bought them for woodworking and didn't particularly like them versus regular sand paper and have more than ample supplies for modeling so I don't need or want them. Send me your mailing address and I'll send them to you. If you're not sure it's the right thing send me an email address and I'll return a picture. I can't do pictures on the forum yet but maybe in my next life I'll figure it out. Maybe.

jeffpez

Don

After seeing your picture I knew it looked familiar so I checked and indeed have a 3 pack of 3M Sandblaster Flexible Finishing pads 2 1/4X5 3/4 in 400 grit and a pack with 2 3X9 also in 400 grit. I bought them for woodworking and didn't particularly like them versus regular sand paper and have more than ample supplies for modeling so I don't need or want them. Send me your mailing address and I'll send them to you. If you're not sure it's the right thing send me an email address and I'll return a picture. I can't do pictures on the forum yet but maybe in my next life I'll figure it out. Maybe.

 

Jeff, I don't want to rob you of real treasure!  Try them on your next project.  I even use them for wood bases for my models (and other woodworking projects).  I like gloss finishes on my bases, so when I get a few coats of clear varnish on it, I go to these things and with very little work these things really give me that spectacular finish.

If they are still available, I'll find a way to get more. If not, keep your treasure.

Bakster

You were not kidding about it being a checkerboard pattern. I will check some of the stores in my area as I go about. I will let you know.

 

PS: This place says limited stock remaining. Might be worth checking with.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/3m-sandblaster-flexible-foam-sanding-pad-for-2in-x-4in-sanding-block

Bakster

PS: This place says limited stock remaining. Might be worth checking with.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/3m-sandblaster-flexible-foam-sanding-pad-for-2in-x-4in-sanding-block

 

 

They only had it in 220 grit. I have no use for that grit.  For something that coarse regular paper works fine. It is in the 400 and 600 grits that its advantages really shine.

I now have some of the 400.  Jeff graciously sent me his remaining supply- he did not like how well it worked on wood.

It was worth a try. You're welcome.

Hi Don ;

 You know this is kinda funny . I had some and gave them to a friend who does " Cigar Box Guitars  ". I actually didn't like them ! I still use good old worn down  "Wet or Dry  " 

Tanker - Builder

Hi Don ;

 You know this is kinda funny . I had some and gave them to a friend who does " Cigar Box Guitars  ". I actually didn't like them ! I still use good old worn down  "Wet or Dry  " 

 

Oh, I use a lot of just plain sandpaper too.  The problem comes when sanding areas with compound curvature,  specially hollow areas, or areas like wing root/fairing with double curvature.  Then I have to resort to some sort of sponge.