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Sandpaper storage

laserman2431

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Oct 17, 2018
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ohio
I've been storing sandpaper in this box for about 25 years. I dreaded every time I had to get in there to find sand paper.

Before.jpg

So I decided to finally get organized. I think this will work well for the 9" x 11" sheets and half and quarter sheets. I am working on making holders for 5" sanding discs on the 3D printer.

After.jpg


Link to box About $20 from Amazon

Link to file folders About $13 from Amazon

Link to label template I used this template for the labels and printed them on card stock. Cost = cost of one piece of card stock.
 
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Dan in Pasadena

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Pasadena, CA
^^ Excellent ideas you guys!

I've always left my full sheets in the cardboard envelopes they come in. When I If I used half or a piece the sheet I'd still leave the remainder in the same envelope. Then the envelopes are neatly (well, mostly, ha ha) stacked in my plastic storage boxes. I try not to tear these envelopes when I open them so they will re-close.

I'd definitely switch to the above ideas except I filled my cheapazz cabinets with the plastic boxes.


Image 2.jpeg
 
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Bucko

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Aug 23, 2021
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679
Good idea using the file folders.
For my sanding disks and the corner cat paper I use the Rubbermaid take-along containers and label them with the P-touch. Makes it easy to stack up and easily portable. Each grit gets its own container so keeping track on the inventory of each is also easy.
 

D45

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I like vintage 6 level office or mail shelves

They are metal and you can hang them or set them on a table
 

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RMERR

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Mar 22, 2017
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Northern CA
I've been using Bisley small drawer cabinets. Interior drawer width is about 9 1/4" X 14 1/4" perfect for full size sheets. They're pricey new, like $120, but I've managed to catch a couple on Craigslist for much less.
 

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Nutria

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Jun 23, 2015
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Eastern Sierra
My biggest problem is deciding if a used piece of sandpaper is worn enough to toss, or if it still has some life left in it.
Ha! Me too. Woodturners say to use it like someone else is paying for it, so we don't slip into pennywise and pound-foolish mode. Makes sense, but I still have a hard time tossing the used pieces.
 

D45

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I prefer shelves over drawers for sandpaper

Some pieces never sit flat and the drawers crush and get stuck on some sheets
 

johnre

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Dec 1, 2016
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Location
Portland, OR
Had a mess in a drawer that you would always have to go fishing through to find a given grade.

This took about 30 minutes to put together and label the shelves:

1705361671797.jpeg

There are three vertical supports on it (two on the sides and one in back), and the seven shelves are all glued to them, keeping it pretty rigid. I'd see no issue with doubling the height if needed. I'll probably do something similar for the 5" rounds for my orbital, but I'm at a loss for a good way to store belts - they're just bulky and awkward.
 
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Norcal

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Mar 16, 2008
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13,752
It's not as functional as a lot of the solutions in this thread, but this old store display is kinda cool.

IMG_2878.JPG
I picked up some 3M plastic displays for sandpaper at a paint store that was closing, have not utilized them yet.
 

WildBill

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Aug 20, 2021
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PNW
I like vintage 6 level office or mail shelves

They are metal and you can hang them or set them on a table
This is cool, my local college always has neat old ones at their surplus sale for a couple dollars each. Going to grab some for this.
 

jonshonda

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Jul 17, 2017
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Wisconsin
Not sure what sandpaper and getting upset about sot have in common, but I still see people are finding ways to not let hanging folders die off!
 

Higgins

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Dec 25, 2009
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1,926
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Shepheardsville, KY
Wow… lots of great ideas!!!
I’m in the process of unpacking stuff from three garages and three moves. So for now it’s just get stuff out of boxes , sorted and piled someware in our two current garages!

Last yr I purchased a maxjack7000 from Costco on sale at an unheard price of $1,200. However I really haven’t had the time to assemble it. As the owners manual was missing (a nasty story on that) I’ve been waiting on bendpark to send me a replacement. Still waiting …
Shroud anyone in the group be thinking of purchasing a unit please speak up as there is a number of things you need to be aware of before you purchase a unit!
Corvette Coral KY
 

Monza Harry

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Dec 29, 2018
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Location
Windsor ON
I don't have (or want to manage) as much sand paper as the OP @Laserman 2431 but I did purchase a dollar store file folder similar to @Slowpoke-Canada did and I'm hoping that is a good long term fit. I've built holders like @ZRX61 for other products at places I've worked in the past. I hadn't considered sheet paper products [they were built for sheet wax, in house pattern shop in a mould shop, yep a really long time ago!]. The file folders are nice in that they if set up correctly will help with the warping of the sheeets. However there are some really sweet alternative types/solutions here! Thanx for Sharing Harry
 
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Fav Onefour

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Jul 14, 2022
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MN cold and hot
My biggest problem is deciding if a used piece of sandpaper is worn enough to toss, or if it still has some life left in it.
That's funny as he**. What test do you use? I start with a rub grab test on the pant leg and move to fingertip testing when they are close.

I run a shop vac across mine to clean them up and extend the run. I also keep used discs around and use them as the next higher grit if they still have some life left.
I'm not sure why I'm so dang cheap with sandpaper. If it was a cheap drill bit, I'd just move on to the next one.

I do like some of the ideas for "sotrage" in the thread.
 

66HertzClone

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rayra

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Dec 1, 2014
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Escaped from Los Angeles
Way to go from one extreme to the other.

I was going to suggest a cardboard file box, just because the full sheets will fit in it closely. But hanging file folders, lol.

I've got my unused whole and partial sheets in said file box, ordered by grit and left in their original packaging. The round sandpaper is similarly organized in a cut-down shipping box that was close to their size. Then there's the 'in use' mess shoved in my main workbench.
 

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bdbecker

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Nov 18, 2015
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Iowa
Here's what I did to hold my discs and sanders. It's been pretty handy so far.

full


full
 

Beerhippie

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Oct 13, 2023
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Far NE Oregon
I did the same thing as the OP with my sheet sandpaper, but in an old file cabinet. Life is much better.

For those without access to a 3-D printer (like myself), here's a good way to store 5/12"-6" wheels, disks and large dia roll goods:

53577805373_ecb72e06de_b.jpg

A piece of 6" PVC Sch 20 drain line, cut to fit tightly then sawn in half. For smaller roll goods, a piece 0f 4" PVC gutter does a fine job.
 

rharman

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Apr 22, 2012
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8,735
Location
SoCal
Anyone have any good ideas for sanding belts?

I really like these sanding blocks (have had them quite some time) but it's a pain dealing with the various belt sizes. Right now, I use a clear plastic box - which may actually be the best thing.

  • Sanddevil 1. 5 with standard 1. 5" X 12" Sanding belt
  • Sanddevil 2. 5 With standard 2. 5” x 14” sanding belt
  • Sanddevil 3. 0 with standard 3" X 21" Sanding belt

1710382488375.png
 

Plombob

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Oct 19, 2008
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4,116
Location
Tennessee
I’ve had this for years. Works great for full sheets.



Lee
I made a box similar to this out of 1/2" plywood. I cut a 1/2 ply board to rest on top of the sandpaper and keep it from curling and I put a handle on top to allow me to carry it around.
 
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