Maple

[Granville]

Having only worked with walnut, my question is about sandpaper. I have a fancy maple stock that I want to finish. What grit paper should I end up using last after wiskering, before applying the aqua fortis? Do folks go as high as 600? or is that unnecessary? Thanks

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
On maple, I use a combination of scraping and sandpaper to finish it. The finest grit I use is 320. There is no need to go further.

dave

 

[Phil Coffins]

320 is all I go to as well, that’s on maple as well as walnut. I may do it twice if I notice anything that doesn’t suit me but finer grit doesn’t seem to make a difference on a wood.

 

[Vaino]

I finish w/ 220 grit including dewhiskering. My finishing process includes using 0000 steel wool which makes the stock very smooth.....Fred

 

[Fly Navy]

I never go higher than 320.

 

[The Appalachian]

Scrapers......

 

[Granville]

I will try the 320 then thanks for the input!

 

[cannonball1]

Usually the 320 will give you less vivid curl than the 200, then again it may be my imagination. My first guns I used 400 grit, now I use 240 and lightly 0000 steel wool after the finish is on, but I use an oil formula finish.

 

[cannonball1]

This is using 200 grit and an old time oil/bees wax finish..

 

[Granville]

Very nice.

 

[frankie]

This is using 200 grit and an old time oil/bees wax finish..View attachment 140222

I WANT THAT!

 

[frankie]

400 for me. Before I apply finish I would definitely look very close all over the wood and make SURE I got all my sanding marks out. If one doesn't they will show up after the finish is applied. The marks will be an eyesore forever.

 

[waksupi]

I stop at 320, and don't whisker. Seems to work, since I got best of show at SHOT some years back.

 

[cannonball1]

I saw a gun they didn't whisker, but it did have an oil finish. The person took it hunting in wet weather in Canada. When the person brought it to me it looked like sand paper. We whiskered it several times and re-finished it with the bees wax and oil finish. He is quite a hunter and said he didn't have that problem any longer. I'm sure it depends on the type of final finish though.

 

[deerstalkert]

i sand to 320, whisker, sand with 320, whisker sand 320, stain and burnish with a dowel. sometimes i think it makes the maple too smooth.

 

[Fortescu]

This is using 200 grit and an old time oil/bees wax finish..View attachment 140222

Damn, brother! Impressive.