Sanding ABS tips

[inquisitot785]

I started working on my bucket. Have the eyes and teeth out. Did a rough trim on the edges as well.  But, I wish to exactly what is the best method(s) and what tools and grit are used to sand the edges of the ABS plastic to a finished, clean look?

 

Thanks,

Inquisitot785

Jim

[DizzyStormtrooper[501st]]

150 grit if by hand, but i use a dremel with a sanding drum bit and lightly get the rough parts and make everything even

[Dday[501st]]

I'm in agreement with Dizzy. 

 

The original suits builders didn't use sandpaper at all, just boxcutters and razors!

 

But for us, sanding down some edges is nice! 140-160 grit it perfect and takes this stray pieces off the edges. Just be careful with the sanding bit, it's easy to take off too much. However, it's great for the corners and really rough spots to even it out.

Edited September 22, 2014 by Dday

[gazmosis[501st]]

On the helmet there really isn't too much to be concerned about sanding. I have always used 220 for everything. It smoothes down without being too aggressive and removing too much material. Just make sure whatever you cut out you mark and follow that line.

[Tray[TK]]

I used 150 grit on the edges. I used a table sander with 80 grit after my rough trimming to get the armor down to the cut lines so the edges were fairly rough like. Using the 150 sandpaper smoothed out the rough sanding. After doing that I used a utility knife to remove the edge burrs by dragging gently down the edges at a 45º angle. This created a perfectly smooth edge on my armor.

Edited September 22, 2014 by Tray

[Rigel[TK]]

After trimming I used a Dremel to get the really rough stuff off then finished with 200 grit sandpaper by hand until the edges were smooth.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk