Alpha-Abrassives Stem Restorations

[branzig]

So I picked up some of these Alpha-Abrassives sanding/finishing pads for around 8 bucks, and I have to say they are a much cheaper and efficient means of shining a pipe stem to the Micro Mesh! It took around 45 minutes a stem not including the Simple Green bath. I could of spent more time on them but I am not selling them and they're just some cheap smokers, so I got lazy :lol:
Before:


After:


The pictures don't even do justice to how well they removed the oxidation and shined them up. I don't know how many uses you'd get out of these things, but even if it's only 20-30 pipe stems they'd easily pay for themselves over Micro Mesh sets; so for now I highly recommend these things!

 

[cortezattic]

Do you have a link to the product? I found something called Alpha Precision Abrasives, but they have more than 50 different

kits for various applications. I'm not sure if what you are using is in their product line.

 

[branzig]

That's the correct site, the packaging doesn't have "Precision" on it though.
It is the #2000 Micro Finishing Cloth Abrasive Pads
You can find them HERE

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for the post, pics, and link. It looks like just the sort of thing I need. :clap:

 

[branzig]

Awesome! Glad I could help ya out!
They're an awesome product!

 

[ejames]

Looks like.....Micro Mesh! This place has some neat stuff! May have to order some.
branzig, did you use those pads wet or dry?

 

[branzig]

branzig, did you use those pads wet or dry?

I started with the 3600 and worked my way up through the 8000 grit all wet sanding. Then I took a microfiber cloth and buffed the stems really well to get all the gunk off and dry them off. Then I used the 12,000 grit dry to polish the stems up. Worked out really well!

 

[woodsroad]

MicroMesh 9 pads for $10.36

I don't mean to pee on your sandpaper, Branzig, but the MicroMesh are probably a little less expensive per pad.

The MicroMesh set of 9 starts at 1500 and goes to 12,000 $10.00

The Alpha set of 6 starts at 3200 and goes to 12,000 $9.00
Have you used the MicroMesh? Are the Alpha pads different?
Thanks!

 

[branzig]

Where I live there is only one place to buy Micro Mesh and they cost $18.99 before tax HERE
So there's no peeing on my sandpaper at all :lol: It was cheaper, no shipping charge, and I didn't have to wait a week for them to get to my house. Walked out of the store with my Alpha-Abrassives today for 8 bucks, so I kindly disagree with you Woodsroad.
I have used both to answer the other part of your question, and they are both similar. However I like the bend in the pad of the Alpha's a bit more...like I said originally I don't know how well they last over the course of many many stems, but for now I am very happy with the price and quality of this product.

 

[woodsroad]

Kewl, I'll give them a try! Did you get them at Woodcraft?

 

[branzig]

No sir, I picked these up at Hobby Lobby in the model building section.

 

[woodsroad]

Thanks, I'll stop in there and look for them.