DIY Gator grip - sandpaper grade ?
- Thread starter fish2
- Start date
This is what the Kamui copies usually use: https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Sanding/StewMac_Sharkskin_Abrasive.html
I use whatever I have in the sandpaper box around #100. I glue it to a small piece of thin wood. I do not use it for shaping -- only roughing -- and I try not to remove any leather when roughing.
That's horrible expensive. I figure if I forget a 3"x3" piece of scrap wood and a little sandpaper at the pool hall, I'm out 15 cents. On the other hand, Sharkskin probably lasts forever on tips.
Knockoff
You can buy the Chinese version for $5 on ebay, it should last forever. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Silv...a=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
Good luck.
You can buy the Chinese version for $5 on ebay, it should last forever. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Silv...a=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
Good luck.
A friend repairs guitars and the sharkskin is almost impervious to wear. Using it on leather tips will never wear it out.
here is another option for a copy
https://www.cuecomponents.com/gatorgrip.html
https://www.cuecomponents.com/gatorgrip.html
I still can't find anything wrong with my Williard's Dime and Brads scuffer that I've had for years,. Was recently give an old It's George that works good too.
I have been using a Morakami Gator Grip for about three years and I am very happy with it. Rough the tip before each session. Doesn’t remove leather like many other stuffers.
For single layer tips if you don’t mind changing tips occasionally, those shapers are great. I used Willard’s for years. But even though it removes very little when scuffing, the impact is noticeable over time. Since I switched to layered tips, the amount the Willard removed led to early delamination. After that much use and layer compression, I was not able to grind down past the delaminated layer to provide a stable surface. Since changing to a gator scuffer, my hard layered tips have shown no wear. With the reduced compression that goes along with hard tips, they last for years.
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If you're looking for something that will last 100 lifetimes?
Something similar to 100grit -
14" Flat Single Cut Smooth Mill file.
Something a little more aggressive -
14" Flat Double Cut Smooth Mill file
Something close to the original Tip Tapper -
14" Mill Bastard File.
I choose 14" so there's adequate width.
Decide what kind of length you like and cut a section out.
You will have to use an abrasive saw blade. Hack Saws and Band Saw cannot cut a quality file, like Nicholson or Simonds. You'll be lucky to even make a scratch.
Something similar to 100grit -
14" Flat Single Cut Smooth Mill file.
Something a little more aggressive -
14" Flat Double Cut Smooth Mill file
Something close to the original Tip Tapper -
14" Mill Bastard File.
I choose 14" so there's adequate width.
Decide what kind of length you like and cut a section out.
You will have to use an abrasive saw blade. Hack Saws and Band Saw cannot cut a quality file, like Nicholson or Simonds. You'll be lucky to even make a scratch.
I have a Kamui Gator Grip and it has a pad with small wire bristles, like a file card, the tool used for cleaning metal out of files.
I carry 220 sandpaper it is all I need, plus tip tapper, and dime willard.
FINALLY someone has the answer to this questing, thank you so much good sir!
Kamui product is cool, but IMHO grossly over priced. It a novelty that does nothing more then sandpaper IMHO.