The emery block is an essential tool in jewelry making, used to sand your metal creations. In jewelry making, sanding is the step that comes after filing. Since filing leaves marks on the metal, sanding is used to remove those scratches and prepare the piece for polishing.
Once your sandpaper is worn out, don't throw away your wooden stick. You can re-cover it with one or more sheets of sandpaper. With this homemade sanding stick, you're good to go again!
Not sure which grit to choose? The size of the grains in the sandpaper determines how abrasive it is.
For metal parts, sanding is done in several steps: start with 220-grit (the coarsest), then gradually move to a finer grit, finishing with 2000-grit (the finest).
Remember that the smaller the number, the coarser the grit.
- Grits between 150 and 240 are for rough sanding.
- Grain sizes between 240 and 600 are for finishing.
- Grits between 800 and 2000 are for advanced finishing.
Quick tip: Don’t sand in the same direction. Always remember to cross-sand for optimal results.
There are several tools for sanding metal: the cabron (we explain how to prepare it in our video), the sanding tool known as a “fly,” or even a homemade sanding tool by wrapping sandpaper around your needle file (this is ideal for reaching small or hard-to-reach areas).
When sanding, take certain precautions: protect yourself with a pair of gloves and safety goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area. To avoid inhaling dust, which is harmful to your health, it’s also recommended to wear a fine-dust mask.
Details:
Length: 25 cm
Width: 18 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Sandpaper dimensions: 15x1.8 cm
Grit size: P400
Sold per 1 piece
