The "Perma-Grit" sanding tools have several advantages . . . TUNGSTEN CARBIDE

(1) No sandpaper to replace or sticky residue from adhesive sandpaper sheets.

(2) They last for decades, when used on soft woods, like Balsa & Basswood.


https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Perma-Grit

Do they load up with primer, paint, and glue? That's what kills my sandpaper, even when wet sanding or cleaning frequently.

I picked one of these up from Scott Hunzicker at NARAM. It is NOT the same extrusion as the Great Planes unit. It's bigger and much heavier.

And actually I'm finding that the 120 grit that came with it is quite suitable for rounding the leading edges of the fins on the So Long I'm building right now.

Interesting. That will help it stay flatter, in case it is dropped, but it will also make it take a little more effort to use, and also mask dynamic variations in the feel as the abrasive cuts.

I'll definitely try it when ACS gets some in, but may end up thinking both is the right answer.

Yes, I'm using both as I'm working on this model. I just put fresh 150 on one of the small GP sanders and 220 on the other.

The Great Planes units are ~2 1/4 inches wide. The Estes one is 2 3/4 inches wide. I'm finding on Amazon that there are lots of rolls of sticky-back sandpaper that are 2 3/4 inches wide. So I'll just have to decide what one or two grits I will want for this thing in the long run, I guess.