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3M sanding pads gone?

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, July 16, 2018 8:36 AM

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.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Sunday, July 15, 2018 9:51 AM

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  " 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 10:00 AM

It was worth a try. You're welcome.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 8:55 AM

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

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 8:54 AM

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.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 10:26 AM

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

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 10:13 AM

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.

 

Don-- I had no luck finding this locally. I found references to it on the Lowes and Amazon websites and both have it as unavailable. Looks to be discontinued. 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, July 6, 2018 9:10 AM

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.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Summerville, SC
Posted by jeffpez on Thursday, July 5, 2018 3:28 PM

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.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Thursday, July 5, 2018 11:15 AM

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.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, July 5, 2018 10:56 AM

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.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2006
Posted by Paul Budzik on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 9:56 PM

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

Paul

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Saturday, June 30, 2018 6:32 PM

these are what I was talking about don .

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Saturday, June 30, 2018 2:07 PM

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.

 

 

Don, please do. I can check the stores in my location to see if any are available for you.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, June 30, 2018 9:43 AM

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 in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Friday, June 29, 2018 3:37 PM

 

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 .

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Friday, June 29, 2018 2:56 PM

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

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, June 29, 2018 8:42 AM

steve5

don . have you tried tamiya ?

 

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

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by steve5 on Thursday, June 28, 2018 3:38 PM

don . have you tried tamiya ?

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, June 28, 2018 8:39 AM

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 Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by gobobbie on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 7:21 AM
Don, sanding sponges are available at American Science and Surplus. A very good source for some modeling supplies.
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, June 22, 2018 8:59 AM

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.

 

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Thursday, June 21, 2018 1:32 PM

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"

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, June 21, 2018 8:29 AM

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.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, June 21, 2018 5:23 AM
Also maybe Amazon

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 2:59 PM

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

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
3M sanding pads gone?
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 9:12 AM

For several years I have used some great sanding pads from 3M, for 300 grit.  The pads were about 3/32 thick, and were like a checkerboard pattern, holes in the white areas, pad with the abrasive in the black (the pads were actually blue).  They were great for wet sanding.  The open areas let the water flush the residue out quickly, the soft sponge-plastic-like material made them supple- easy to sand around bumps and detail.

I used up my last pad, and went to Menards to get some more, and they didn't have any.  Employee said they no longer carry those.  He didn't know whether 3M discontinued them or Menards Corporate just decided not to carry them.  Anyone else familiar with them, and know whether 3M still makes it?

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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