Should you Buy Paper or Mesh Sanding Discs?
Now, I’m not writing a full fledged product review with a bunch of experimental findings here. I’m just a small town carpenter in Olive Branch, Mississippi that’s sharing what works for me. Today, I want to talk a bit about sanding. It’s something I do a lot of. My favorite sanding buddy is a handheld Dewalt orbit sander that’s usually loaded with 80 grit. I like a rough finish. So I thought I’d try some 80 grit options to see whether I liked paper or mesh sanding discs better.
When it comes to reviewing a product like this, it’s important to point out a few variables. For example, I was sanding hardwood inside a humid shop with 50 degree temperatures. The performance of sandpaper changes under different conditions. Little details like this are often overlooked. Both the wood and the sanding discs are affected by moisture and temperatures.
The climate isn’t the only mediating factor, though. Every type of wood responds differently. The type of sander you use and how you use it also plays a role. Constant, excessive force not only wears down paper or mesh sanding discs, but the sander itself. Too light of a touch isn’t going to give you much sanding to evaluate.
Using Both Sanding Options, Side by Side.
At first, as I suspected, I didn’t notice a big difference. But after an hour or two, I was able to start picking up on a few characteristics that were left behind.
How the Sanding Options Left the Wood.
With hardwood, the mesh appeared to leave more of a flaky, soft finish. I’m assuming this has a lot to do with the gaps between surface contact. The finish of the paper pads felt harder but a lot more smooth. Whether you buy paper or mesh sanding discs might just depend on the finish you’re looking for. There isn’t a huge difference. I personally like the paper here.
How Long the Sanding Options Lasted.
It didn’t matter if I was using paper or mesh sanding discs, the consistency was spotty at best. This had a lot to do with the ruggedness of the wood I was using. So, determining the wear away time (or how long it took to reach a level of ineffectiveness) was tough. For comparison’s sake, I decided to aggressively sand down two similar areas of wood with both options .
The goal was to measure the length of time both options kept good grit. So a little bit of eye service was used. But what I found was interesting. Mesh appears to tighten up like plastic once the friction creates heat. After extended usage, the material becomes more smooth, restricting friction. The effect is more of a sliding in comparison to the grabbing of the paper (worn or not).
Does Longer Lasting Mean Better?
In most cases, when using 80 grit sandpaper, the goal is to wear down the wood. The mesh doesn’t exactly wear down. But, it’s going to take a bit longer to reach a satisfactory level of sanding. It can be a little frustrating once they reach a certain heat. It doesn’t take much off.
If you’re an avid carpenter, like me, you kind of know what you can expect from sandpaper pads. They rip easily if you don’t baby em’.
Do I Like Paper or Mesh Sanding Discs?
At the end of the day, the mesh sanding pads do leave a softer finish. If you turn the sander off every 20 seconds or so, you might get some life out of each disc. But I kind of like to sand how I like to sand and keep it movin’. I did notice they tear a bit easier on softer woods (like rough cedar). The rougher grain catches a bit.
Overall, the mesh pads are the longest lasting option. I may not have been running over nails or ripping through huge knots, but I think I got a good feel for both products. Most of us know paper sanding pads are getting thinner and thinner. The grit seems to fade faster. So, the mesh material is intriguing and worth trying for yourself.
OK – Final Answer:
If I had to choose between paper or mesh sanding pads, I’d have to stick with good ole quality paper. I’m just not a big fan of what the mesh leaves behind. It’s somewhat of a heat fusion on certain woods. I don’t hate it, but I’d only use it on certain projects. Let me know what you think below!
