Reusable Emery Sticks
A full set of all the grits I regularly use
I was shown this cool idea by a retired clock maker a few years ago, and was so impressed I immediately adopted it into my standard work practice. Strictly speaking it isn't really a shop made tool, but it is such an excellent idea I just had to share it.
Take the emery paper and put some tape down the sides. Now put a wooden handle across the bottom, and attach the tape. Then using a cutting blade, lightly score the paper as you wrap it around the wooden handle. The trick is to make sure you score the paper accurately along the handle, and pull the paper tightly onto the handle as you wrap it.
I like to use the back of the blade to do the scoring, because it makes a deep enough groove, but doesn't cut through it. If it all goes well, the paper will be tightly wrapped onto the handle, with crisp clean corners.
Take the emery paper and put some tape down the sides. Now put a wooden handle across the bottom, and attach the tape. Then using a cutting blade, lightly score the paper as you wrap it around the wooden handle. The trick is to make sure you score the paper accurately along the handle, and pull the paper tightly onto the handle as you wrap it.
I like to use the back of the blade to do the scoring, because it makes a deep enough groove, but doesn't cut through it. If it all goes well, the paper will be tightly wrapped onto the handle, with crisp clean corners.
Required items
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Lightly score the paper
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Crisp edges
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As each side of the stick loads up with metal, you can simply tear off the strip, and expose some fresh paper. Make one for each grit that you use, and then put them somewhere handy.
It's not only a massive time saver, but it also ensures that you to use your abrasive paper a lot more efficiently.
It's not only a massive time saver, but it also ensures that you to use your abrasive paper a lot more efficiently.
As the paper gets loaded up...
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... simply tear it off...
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... and you're back to work in no time.
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Of course there are plenty of workpieces for which a wood backed emery stick is not suitable, because the softness of the wood/paper surface would round the edges. In those situations, I use a metal backed version, using a light spray of adhesive to hold the abrasive paper in place. There is still a slight compression of the paper, but if used correctly it is a very effective way to get a great surface finish, without altering the profile of the part.
Metal backed polisher
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A wooden handle is essential on the lathe
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