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I read somewhere that it good to use a dremel to sand down your papier-mache with.
Since we have one, I just gave it a shot, but I found the sander hard to control and would carve into parts of the piece I have because of course it doesn't have perfect edges.
Does anyone use a dremel to sand and have any tips and tricks for me?
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I have a Dremel, but I don't think I would use it for sanding paper mache. You're using the little heads that are about the size of the end of your pinkie finger, right? I think they're too small, and are more likely to dig holes and otherwise gouge the PM.
Orbital hand sanders (or palm sanders) may be better, if you don't have too many curves involved. They look like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d … mber=40070
But I have been known to cut a full-length strip of sandpaper about 3" wide, and wrap it around a wooden paint mixer stick or something like that, and hot glue it in place, then use that manually.
Sue
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I also have a Dremel and tend to use it for small drilling and some sanding. PM however (the way I make it, with ground chalk incorporated) can be very hard and does not sand easily. Like you and Sue (Catperson) I find it can easily skid and dig in.
DavidO
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I am definitely going to follow both of your advice and just sand it by hand.
It would be nice if the Dremel saved work for me, but it seems to create more work with the way it digs in. 
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Yes, the one time I tried it, I had to stop the whole project and fill the holes, then let them dry. 
Sue
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David and Sue,
Does it matter what grade of sandpaper I should get? I just figured I'd ask for some knowledge and tips before I headed off to the store to buy some. 
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The coarse sandpaper (smaller numbers) is for rough work. The medium grades (100) are for less rough projects, and the finer ones (600) are for smoothing, near-finish work. The very fine ones are usually higher than 600, like 1000 or even 1200. (These are U.S. grades, someone else will have to post for GB... oh, Da-vid!)
I hate sanding. :cry:
Sue
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Guess Im the weirdo here, Ive been using a dremel to sand every project Ive made thus far. It just takes light pressure and a steady hand. Keep the strokes short and dont dig in too much.Im using the sanding wheels that are about 1/2" across and it works like a champ. One of these days I'll quit being lazy and upload some photos so you guys can see the finish Ive been getting. Ends up perfect for painting with acryllics. :twisted:
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Well it is good to know that SOMEONE can get it to work Dustintino. I am new to using a dremel so it could be my lack of skills that were the problem as much as the dremel.
Please dp upload some photos in the near future, I'd love to see them.
Do you have any other tips to working with a dremel for sanding papier-mache Dustintino? Because I'd sure love to hear them!
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I guess the only specific I forgot to mention was brought up before. It does have to be a good hard finish if you dont want to eat through your project. Someone said they incorporated chalk into their pulp, I use celluclay which is similar, it has plaster added into the mix. When it dries that stuff is good and solid, I usually apply at least 1/4-1/2 inch over the entire project and sand it down from there. Otherwise, like I said before keep your strokes light, let the dremel do the work for you, and you should get a good smooth finish. :twisted:
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:shock: :idea:
I've been trying a bit more and agree with Dustintino. Like him/her I have a hard mix; this was made from well pulped glazed paper (i.e. with a clay content), with ground chalk as the filler. I used the sanding drum very lightly but then finished with the conical grinding tool. This seems not to grind but to melt and smooth the surface leaving it positively shiny. The surface of the pulp in which I included the ground egg shells finishes looking like a grey granite. The only awkward part is the small corner and edges that the tool can't reach.
David
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agreed, I havent figured out corners yet. I mostly stick to flowing organic shapes. Im working on my first piece of furniture though and it will soon be time to sand it. I guess well see how that works out on the corners. good call on the grinding bit, Ill give that a shot. Oh yeah, Im a He, my name is Dustin, fairly new to the group and the medium. Ive been doing paper mache about 2 months or so. I actually was looking at doing some fiberglass work and I thought PM would be a good way to practice as it is similar, so I did some research and found this page. I had no idea that PM could be as versatile as you guys have shown me. Now Im hooked, I never got around to the fiberglass project, but I have completed 7 sculptures and Im almost done with my first piece of furniture, so I will be around pretty regularly in the future. Nice to meet you all. :twisted:
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