MasterCasters'
Sanding & Polishing Sticks

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number and Description:	MasterCasters' Sanding Sticks
Contents and Media:	Double-sided sanding or polishing sticks.
Price:	Sponge Sanders - each £2.85 Miracle Sander - each £3.85 Teardrop Sanders - each £1.75 Coarse Sanders - each £1.95 Multi-Packs also available All available online from Mastercasters' website
Review Type:	FirstLook
Advantages:	Simple, effective, gets into tight spaces; durable; good range from coarse to very fine.
Disadvantages:
Recommendation:	Recommended

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron
 

MasterCasters has expanded into the tools and accessories business with a new line of sanding and polishing sticks.

There are two basic categories of sanding stick on offer. The first is a conventional rigid stick available in the fairly coarse grades of 80 (both sides), 120/240 grit, and 100/180 grit.

The second category is something new to me - "Sponge Sanders". These look like large traditional sanding sticks at first glance, but they have a flexible core in the middle. The sanding surface on each side supported by a sponge base. The grades available are as follows:

• 80

• 100

• 180

• 600

• 280 - this is straight on one side and crescent shaped on the other.

• "Miracle Shiner" - this is a buffing and polishing stick. Although the grade is not quoted, one side is probably around 3,000-4,000 grit, with the other around 6,000 - 12,000 grit

The 80 grit (purple) and 180 grit (blue) are pictured below.

The grade numbers might seem low, but the cushioning effect of the sponge means that the relatively coarse grits do less damage to the material being sanded than traditional sanders of equivalent grit.

I found that the purple 80 grit stick, used dry, was perfect for removing raised seams; and for sanding back Milliput, Liquid Paper and Mr Surfacer without pulling the filler out of narrow seams and steps. The blue 180 grit stick was a logical follow-up, smoothing the plastic surface to a satin finish, and feathering the edges of the filler. When used wet, the sticks will produce a finer finish.

I was pleased to find that, despite their length and width, the sponge sanders could get into difficult areas and tight curves around wing roots thanks to their flexibility.

I also used the black sanders (both the 80 grit and the 100/180 grit) to sand back large sections of resin casting blocks. These sanders were excellent for this heavy-duty task.

Unlike the cheap sanding sticks that I sometimes buy at the local Chemist shop, these sticks seem to be very durable. There is no evidence of reduced effectiveness even after several serious sanding sessions.

MasterCasters' new range of sanding a polishing sticks represents a very useful new sanding system, especially for preparation of resin parts and sanding fillers and plastic ridges on models of all types.

Recommended.

Thanks to Jay from MasterCasters for the sample

Rreview Text and all Images Copyright © 2006 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 17 September, 2006
Last updated 17 September, 2006

Back to HyperScale Main Page