Carbide mandrels ...

[WilleeCue]

Just bought a set of Carbide Sanding Mandrels from John Rocker (Rocket Cues) and am very happy with the quality and accuracy of them.

One thing I did notice is that when I screw on the mandrel to wet sand the auto clear coat finish down flush with it, the 600 grit wet paper seems not to cut so good.
I think that running the wet sand paper over the carbide mandrel is dulling the grit.
Normaly wet sanding produces a white pasty looking water and finish material.
Sanding on the mandrel produces a darker looking waste material.
That is why I think the grit is dulling or possably being dislodged from the paper by the carbide.

Anyone else using a carbide sanding mandrel get the same results?

 

[BarenbruggeCues]

When you come up to the mandrel.......loosen your grip and relieve some pressure. Just run about 1/8" of the paper up on the mandrel. Occasionally you'll have to use a razor and trim that 1/8" off as it will end up losing it's grit power over some sanding time.

 

[RocketQ]

Thanks for the words Willee. Yep carbide is a bit harder than the sandpaper... just gotta get close to the carbide after the clear. Sand before the finish to get concentric and then if you spray your finish evenly the mandrel is just a guide..

John