Sanding FRN?

AJF · #1

I had some good results recently, thanks to excellent advice received here, with sanding G10 scales. Flush with success, I'm now wondering about sanding FRN scales (to remove scuffs, scratches, etc.).

I would appreciate tips and advice from anyone who's done it.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew

unit · #2

It is a lot more prone to "burning" or melting than G-10. Avoid power tools and you can smooth it a bit if you have some rough spots. I have never tried to polish it, so I can not help you there.

AJF · #3

Thanks, Ken.

Andrew

dj moonbat · #4

FRN will shape nicely. Just take your time, and remember that if you're thinning it too much where it's already thin, you will introduce non-trivial amounts of flex to the handle.

LowTEC · #5

IIRC my FRN sanding experience didn't turn on too great, never look quite the same as factory molded, G10 on the other hand can be sanded to be like brand new from the factory YMMV

Ookami · #6

Be cautious when sanding G-10! This stuff will mess up your lungs if you don't wear a respirator.

Ookami
________
MEDICAL DISPENSARIES

AJF · #7

Thanks for the comments, gents. And thanks, Ookami, for the caution about G10 sanding. The guys in this thread educated me on that: http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45802

Andrew

gaping46and2 · #8

I'd like to hear any advice on this as well. I have an old Delica1 where the clip broke off and I tried sanding the side to sit flush, but the texture of the sanded area and the original mold don't feel the same. I used some 400 grit wet/dry sand paper, but it seems to be too smooth. I suppose I could sand the entire side, but I like the feel of the original texture.

unit · #9

The original texture is sort of "orange peel" in nature. This is imparted while hardening in the mold (probably). Sanding will yield a uniform or random scratch pattern and depending on how high you go in grit, it may get considerably smoother than the "smooth" texture on new FRN.

You might try some sort of media blasting to get an even texture that offers the "traction" you get with new FRN...just start out small because aggressive media will scour/destroy it quickly. No offense to FRN, but this is sort of like polishing a pig at this point in that you are performing a fairly expensive process on a very inexpensive material. Not to say FRN is not worth it, but I would probalby opt to refinish all the "smooth" bits with a light scuffing with a scotch bright pad until I have a roughness I like...the only down side to this is it will tend to hold dirt/grease more, which is particularly noticeable on the Yellow FRN you get on Salts...ask me how I know this

.

The Deacon · #10

gaping46and2 wrote:I'd like to hear any advice on this as well. I have an old Delica1 where the clip broke off and I tried sanding the side to sit flush, but the texture of the sanded area and the original mold don't feel the same. I used some 400 grit wet/dry sand paper, but it seems to be too smooth. I suppose I could sand the entire side, but I like the feel of the original texture.

Unfortunately, what you're asking for is probably impossible. The lightly stippled texture is molded into the clip side of FRN handles that have an integral FRN clip. No real way to add it to an area of the handle that did not originally have it, or restore it to an area of the handle where it's been worn off over the years. You could sand the entire clip side with a somewhat coarser sandpaper. It would look and feel different than it does now, but would look even and have a bit of "tooth".

gull wing · #11

Sanding G10 will mess up your lungs if you sand it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for a month or more. An occasional ten minuets, no issue.

unit · #12

gull wing wrote:Sanding G10 will mess up your lungs if you sand it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for a month or more. An occasional ten minuets, no issue.

No offense intended here, but I feel the responsible recommendation would be to protect yourself from any avoidable risk.

dj moonbat · #13

unit wrote:No offense intended here, but I feel the responsible recommendation would be to protect yourself from any avoidable risk.

Sure, but the bitchin' recommendation would be to let 'er rip!!

Sorry. Sometimes, I can't help myself...