CHEAP Sanding sticks

[tvandmoviecars]

Most know about using emery boards for sanding...

Today I was in DOLLAR TREE (Everything is MAX $1!),and they had 36 Emery boards in 5 different sizes for $1. Range from very thin ones to regular size.. I used the smallest one just today to sand the pillar between the front doors and back side windows, and the C pillars on the AMT 75 Chevy Blazer, and it was PERFECT size.

[Swamp Dog]

thanks Don for the Dollar Tree tip...

[Guest G Holding]

Tip....they do not like wet sanding.

[my80malibu]

I buy the ones from the beauty supply stores, the quality is better, they hold up well to washing, and they are not to expensive at just over a dollar fifty.

[Casey]

I buy the ones from the beauty supply stores, the quality is better, they hold up well to washing, and they are not to expensive at just over a dollar fifty.

I agree. You can get two different varieties, either 180/220, in black or 320/420 in pink at Walgreens, Target, etc. and they have a much finer, more consistent grit, too.

The cheapy nail files are good for fast material removal, but they are very coarse, and the grit is not very even.

[Casey]

I found a new (to me at least) coarse sanding stick at Walgreens recently, and while the grits are probably closer to 180/220 or so, it's much wider than the typical nail files I've found and used:

[thatz4u]

Wal mart has cheap ones also

[gobobbie]

If you have a Sally's Beauty Supply close by check out the nail files Everything from 180 to 1000 grit. You can join their beauty supply club and get coupons and lower prices. Sally's also has chemicals and other items of use to the modeler.

Bob Gregory

Ruining one kit at a time.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Popsicle sticks, "craft" sticks (popsicle) and Starbucks mixing sticks, with strips of whatever grit paper you want, rubber-cemented on. Cheap, custom tailored to width.

[Snake45]

Popsicle sticks, "craft" sticks (popsicle) and Starbucks mixing sticks, with strips of whatever grit paper you want, rubber-cemented on. Cheap, custom tailored to width.

I've found that most such wooden sticks have warpage in them and aren't really flat. I like to put sandpaper on some Evergreen (thick) strip styrene with double-side tape.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've found that most such wooden sticks have warpage in them and aren't really flat.

Me too. That's why I use the ones that ARE flat when I need flat ones.

"Free" is cheap enough to be selective.

[Mike_G]

If you have a Sally's Beauty Supply close by check out the nail files Everything from 180 to 1000 grit.

The Sally's here has 12,000 grit nail sticks.

[1930fordpickup]

Double sided tape works great for applying sand paper. you can stick it to many different shapes also. I use a hard rubber form with double sided tape sometimes.

Like what has been mentioned before the cheap ones are fine for removing the high points of the filler or sprue but go to the better options when you get close.

[jwrass]

A techniques I use is I take balsa, popsicle sticks, dowel, you name it. I spray the sanding device with some 3-M Super 77 Spray adhesive and stick the paper onto this profile. It works on wet or dry papers. If your paper is getting dull in the area (on the sanding stick) that you have shaped the sanding stick to in a particular shape or profile, cut or sand the stick back into a area where you have sharp paper and you are good to go!