Second Pattern Today
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The Piglet Box pattern calls for 1/2" thick wood. The box's interior is 9" X 4.5" X 4". I'll leave it up to you for its purpose.
The Angel of the Garden pattern is different, but I liked the look of the roots, so I decided to post it. Most of us here in the US are starting to see the end of gardening season, but the angel can still protect what we have blooming. She is 10.5" tall.
Information about Sandpaper
Sandpaper is a deceptively simple yet indispensable tool in the worlds of woodworking, metalworking, and general finishing. At its core, it is a sheet of paper or cloth coated with an abrasive mineral, designed to smooth or shape a surface through friction. The effectiveness of any sanding task hinges on understanding two fundamental characteristics: the type of abrasive material used and its grit size. These two factors work in tandem to determine how aggressively the sandpaper removes material and the quality of the final finish. Choosing the wrong combination can lead to a frustrating experience, resulting in a damaged workpiece or a finish that is far from the desired smoothness.
The abrasive material itself is a crucial component, as different minerals excel at different tasks. The most common types each have a specific purpose. Garnet, a natural mineral, is a traditional choice for hand-sanding softwoods like pine; it cuts well but wears down relatively quickly, which helps prevent deep scratches. Aluminum oxide is the most popular all-around abrasive; it is a durable, synthetic mineral that is excellent for power sanding and works well on wood, metal, and painted surfaces. Silicon carbide is extremely hard and sharp, making it ideal for sanding very hard materials like metal, plastic, and fiberglass. It is also the primary abrasive used for wet sanding, a technique where water or oil is used to produce an exceptionally smooth, polished finish. Finally, ceramic alumina is a very tough, long-lasting synthetic abrasive best suited for aggressive material removal, such as shaping wood or stripping old finishes with a power sander.
Equally important as the abrasive type is the grit, which refers to the size of the abrasive particles. This is indicated by a number on the back of the sandpaper—the lower the number, the larger and more aggressive the particles are. Sandpaper is generally categorized by its coarseness. Coarse grits, ranging from 40 to 80, are designed for heavy-duty tasks like stripping paint, removing deep scratches, or shaping rough wood. Medium grits, from 100 to 150, are a good starting point for smoothing raw wood and for general-purpose sanding. Fine grits, typically 180 to 220, are used for the final smoothing of a surface just before applying a stain or finish. Anything higher, such as 240-grit and above, is considered very fine and is used for creating an ultra-smooth surface or for sanding between coats of paint or varnish.
Selecting the right sandpaper for your project involves a methodical approach. First, consider the material you are working with to choose the appropriate abrasive type; for most DIY woodworking, aluminum oxide is a safe and effective choice. Next, assess your goal. If you need to remove a thick layer of old paint, start with a coarse grit like 60 or 80. If you are simply preparing a new, relatively smooth piece of wood for finishing, you can likely start with a medium grit like 120. The most critical principle is to work sequentially through the grits. You should never jump from a very coarse grit directly to a very fine one. A typical progression for finishing raw wood might be to start with 120-grit, then move to 180-grit, and finish with 220-grit. Each successive, finer grit works to remove the scratches left by the previous one, ultimately leading to a flawless surface.
In conclusion, sandpaper is far more than just "rough paper." It is a sophisticated abrasive system that provides control over the texture and finish of a surface. By understanding the distinct properties of different abrasive types and the logical progression of grit sizes, anyone can achieve professional-quality results. Whether you are restoring an old piece of furniture, preparing a wall for painting, or polishing metal, the journey to a perfect finish begins with selecting the right sandpaper. This thoughtful choice is the foundational step that ensures the final product is not only functional but also beautiful to the touch and the eye.
Piglet Box Pattern
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