Lewis95 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Hi all, Run myself into some confusion here. I've got a set of these on hand but I'm trying to order replacements and I've managed to confuse myself. I'm looking at this set : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222442887510?hash=item33caa11956:g:9wUAAOSwTM5YzBRy but I've read elsewhere that these grits are actually 150 320 etc etc. Is that just the US naming convention and these are actually 1500, 3200 etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 I'm not sure. All I have and use are these: Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 I think it's just a part number, not the grit size. Even if it would be an imperial versus metric situation the numbers don't add up. Shoot the seller a message, maybe they can clear it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod mcq Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 (edited) The Grit sizes are 150, 280, 320 and 600 with corresponding part numbers 1500, 2800, 3200 and 6000. The 3210 is the fine grained finishing file. The UK distributors are Albion Alloys. This is their brochure for the Flex-i-File range https://www.albionhobbies.com/wp-content/uploads/Abrasives.pdf Edited October 13, 2021 by rod mcq spelling error 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted October 17, 2021 Author Share Posted October 17, 2021 On 13/10/2021 at 20:28, bmwh548 said: I think it's just a part number, not the grit size. Even if it would be an imperial versus metric situation the numbers don't add up. Shoot the seller a message, maybe they can clear it up. I think you would be correct on that one! On 13/10/2021 at 20:35, rod mcq said: The Grit sizes are 150, 280, 320 and 600 with corresponding part numbers 1500, 2800, 3200 and 6000. The 3210 is the fine grained finishing file. The UK distributors are Albion Alloys. This is their brochure for the Flex-i-File range https://www.albionhobbies.com/wp-content/uploads/Abrasives.pdf Thanks for that bud. No wonder why I found the coarse stick to be so effective at 1500 grit.... Turns out I've been using 150 grit! I've since acquired a Micro-Mesh 1500 - 12000 set for some extra buffing of puttied areas. On 13/10/2021 at 18:53, dogsbody said: I'm not sure. All I have and use are these: Chris Very similar to what I've currently got. Though as above, I've just acquired a Micro Mesh set for additional buffing. I also have use of a nail block which works fantastic for initial cleanup and has a brilliant polishing pad. Only issue with the block is that it's bigger than most 72nd WW2 fighters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 2 hours ago, Lewis95 said: Very similar to what I've currently got. Though as above, I've just acquired a Micro Mesh set for additional buffing. I also have use of a nail block which works fantastic for initial cleanup and has a brilliant polishing pad. Only issue with the block is that it's bigger than most 72nd WW2 fighters! My youngest daughter is a trained makeup specialist who works at a local boutique. She got me this to polish up some landing lights. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 I've got some similar stuff from the cosmetic aisles, incredibly effective for very little money. Some of them work well with wet buffing too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 Aye, the cosmetic polishing blocks are fantastic. Work really well for smoothing down Halfords and quick sprue clean ups. More precision work is where I find the files much more useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dromia Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 The Micro mesh grit numbering system is of their own creation and bare no relation to the european or american standard grit numbers that we commonly use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted October 24, 2021 Author Share Posted October 24, 2021 On 20/10/2021 at 06:22, dromia said: The Micro mesh grit numbering system is of their own creation and bare no relation to the european or american standard grit numbers that we commonly use. I'm not saying you're wrong but I honestly don't see why any manufacturer of abrasives would want to do that for obvious logical reasons. Unless they are following a seperate grit rating? Then again, the MM works well with the flexifiles I have on hand and don't feel too dissimilar at the crossover grits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dromia Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 I put it down to a marketing trick to make their pads seem finer. See here: Grit tables. Column 2 is the pads usually used in plastic modelling. Column 5 is the US grit standards that we are more commonly used to. Column 6 is the european grit standards that can be had here on occasion. I'm not saying the pads don't work but they are expensive for what they are and seem a tad disingenuous to me. There are cheaper alternatives of at least equal efficacy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dromia Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 By the way I an a confirmed Flexi-file user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 I use some 600 grit sandpaper I got from the hardware store. It's good for basic sanding on a kit ( at least in my opinion ). Then I use the Squadron sanding sticks that I posted above. I also have this collection that I bought back in the late 80's that got shuffled around during renos and was only found a couple years ago. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dromia Posted October 24, 2021 Share Posted October 24, 2021 I have a stock of those that I use to make replacement bands for my flex-i-files. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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