Sanding sticks
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RobertK
- Sergeant First Class

- Posts: 314
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:49 pm
- Location: Sweden

Sanding sticks
Hello,
I have tried lots of different sanding sticks but the one brand I keep coming back to is squadron, I like the flexiness, the durability and the wet sanding ability of these sanders.
Now, they are harder and harder for me to get hold of for a reasonable price - is there any good substitute for squadron sanders? I just cannot stand soft, almost sponge like, sanders since they have a tendency to round off any nice beveled corner, for example.
I have tried lots of different sanding sticks but the one brand I keep coming back to is squadron, I like the flexiness, the durability and the wet sanding ability of these sanders.
Now, they are harder and harder for me to get hold of for a reasonable price - is there any good substitute for squadron sanders? I just cannot stand soft, almost sponge like, sanders since they have a tendency to round off any nice beveled corner, for example.
- Coen
- General

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Re: Sanding sticks
The only sanders I use anymore are the Ultimate ones.
I still have a big bucket of the old squadron ones as well as a crap tonne of assorted other brands, but they don't come close to the Ultimate sticks.
Tougher, last longer, they come in versatile packs.
I don't know if you would like them though, most of them are somewhat soft.
I have no use for the rigid types of sanders except for the 100-120 grit range. Ultimate's 120s are perfect for that.
The rest are mostly soft.
I still have a big bucket of the old squadron ones as well as a crap tonne of assorted other brands, but they don't come close to the Ultimate sticks.
Tougher, last longer, they come in versatile packs.
I don't know if you would like them though, most of them are somewhat soft.
I have no use for the rigid types of sanders except for the 100-120 grit range. Ultimate's 120s are perfect for that.
The rest are mostly soft.
- Paul
- Site Admin

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Re: Sanding sticks
Products I use in my builds viewtopic.php?f=192&t=27234
My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

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- Lysus
- Captain

- Posts: 4562
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- Location: Seattle, US

Re: Sanding sticks
This is good to hear, I too have a mini-bucket full of whatever I could get my hands on--Squadron included--and so far they've all let me down in one way or another (either by my lack of technique or their by their own designs).Coen wrote:The only sanders I use anymore are the Ultimate ones.
I still have a big bucket of the old squadron ones as well as a crap tonne of assorted other brands, but they don't come close to the Ultimate sticks.
Tougher, last longer, they come in versatile packs.
I don't know if you would like them though, most of them are somewhat soft.
I have no use for the rigid types of sanders except for the 100-120 grit range. Ultimate's 120s are perfect for that.
The rest are mostly soft.
Ordered some Ultimate to try out and am waiting by the window for the postman like a kid a week before Christmas day...
Backlog Progress: |||||||||||||||-------|----------|----------| 26/80
On the bench: Hasegawa 1/72 Tatiana's Vanship
Last Completed: Bandai HGUC Geara Zulu // Hasegawa 1/48 J2M3Raiden Prisoner of War
On the bench: Hasegawa 1/72 Tatiana's Vanship
Last Completed: Bandai HGUC Geara Zulu // Hasegawa 1/48 J2M3Raiden Prisoner of War
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RobertK
- Sergeant First Class

- Posts: 314
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:49 pm
- Location: Sweden

Re: Sanding sticks
The thinny sticks Looks to be closer to squadron types, in terms of spongyness (is that a word? haha), or are they are soft as the bigger ones?
- Coen
- General

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Re: Sanding sticks
They're softer than squadrons, but firmer than their larger counterparts.
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RobertK
- Sergeant First Class

- Posts: 314
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:49 pm
- Location: Sweden

Re: Sanding sticks
I think i'm gonna try a few to see how they are performing. Shame these things are a bit on the expensive side aswell here in Sweden, but it's cheaper than squadron (and obtainable) so thats good 
- Avgas
- Chief Warrant Officer 5

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RobertK
- Sergeant First Class

- Posts: 314
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:49 pm
- Location: Sweden

Re: Sanding sticks
And I can see the stuff I ordered is already on it's way, very nice!
I gonna need lots of filler and sanders on my current build it seems, hehe.
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RobertK
- Sergeant First Class

- Posts: 314
- Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:49 pm
- Location: Sweden

Re: Sanding sticks
Ok, so now I got my hands on a couple of Ultimate sanders. The thinny sticks are perfect!
So, if anyone looking for sanding sticks, just buy Ultimate ones!
So, if anyone looking for sanding sticks, just buy Ultimate ones!
- JimJ
- Sergeant

- Posts: 112
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:33 am
Re: Sanding sticks
Recommendation for a "starter selection" of the Ultimate sanders??.............never used them before
- ( I've been "making do" with large emery boards from Walmart ).
Needless to say, those are just not getting it anymore
Needless to say, those are just not getting it anymore
- Paul
- Site Admin

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Re: Sanding sticks
JimJ wrote:Recommendation for a "starter selection" of the Ultimate sanders??.............never used them before- ( I've been "making do" with large emery boards from Walmart ).
Needless to say, those are just not getting it anymore
Hey Jim
I would start with these http://www.umpretail.com/collections/bu ... arter-pack
These http://www.umpretail.com/collections/bu ... 220-5-pack
And these http://www.umpretail.com/collections/bu ... multi-pack
Products I use in my builds viewtopic.php?f=192&t=27234
My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

- JimJ
- Sergeant

- Posts: 112
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:33 am
Re: Sanding sticks
Ordered per your recommendation............look forward to seeing how they workPaul wrote:JimJ wrote:Recommendation for a "starter selection" of the Ultimate sanders??.............never used them before- ( I've been "making do" with large emery boards from Walmart ).
Needless to say, those are just not getting it anymore
Hey Jim
I would start with these http://www.umpretail.com/collections/bu ... arter-pack
These http://www.umpretail.com/collections/bu ... 220-5-pack
And these http://www.umpretail.com/collections/bu ... multi-pack
Thanks for the guidance..........
- jelliott
- Sergeant

- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:18 pm
- Location: Idaho, USA
Re: Sanding sticks
I just got my first set of Ultimate Sanders and buffers and they are wonderful. From ultra course to really grind off the plastic to the finest buffer to make things as smooth as glass. I absolutely love them, I've found my new "go-to" sanding tools!
On the bench:
Hasegawa F-4G 1/48
Academy U-2S 1/48 (temporarily on hold)
Hasegawa F-4G 1/48
Academy U-2S 1/48 (temporarily on hold)
- Paul
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Re: Sanding sticks
Glad your happy with them buddyjelliott wrote:I just got my first set of Ultimate Sanders and buffers and they are wonderful. From ultra course to really grind off the plastic to the finest buffer to make things as smooth as glass. I absolutely love them, I've found my new "go-to" sanding tools!
Products I use in my builds viewtopic.php?f=192&t=27234
My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

- Vleugelmoer
- Sergeant Major of the Army

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Re: Sanding sticks
As I currently doing up the man cave whilst getting back into modeling and thus getting my tools back in order as well. I's still undecided between the Flex-I-File range and Ultimate for my fine sanding needs. The combo packs that Flex-I-File have that consist of their files and buffer sticks are tempting me at the moment. As IRL modelshops are few and far between in my neck of the woods now a day I'm basically stuck with the internet retail therapy for all my modeling needs. Nothing wrong with it but that deprives you of the look and feel experience you get in a real world shop, which could you made a better decision in your tool selection.
Damm the glue is getting to me 
On the Bench:
1:35 Italeri Jeep Follow Me Jeep for the PTO GB
1:32 Revell F-4 Phantom for the Phantom Freaks SIG
On the Bench:
1:35 Italeri Jeep Follow Me Jeep for the PTO GB
1:32 Revell F-4 Phantom for the Phantom Freaks SIG
- Paul
- Site Admin

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Re: Sanding sticks
Your choice but of course I'm going to recommend Ultimate sanders and you get 10% off your order being an ISM member.Vleugelmoer wrote:As I currently doing up the man cave whilst getting back into modeling and thus getting my tools back in order as well. I's still undecided between the Flex-I-File range and Ultimate for my fine sanding needs. The combo packs that Flex-I-File have that consist of their files and buffer sticks are tempting me at the moment. As IRL modelshops are few and far between in my neck of the woods now a day I'm basically stuck with the internet retail therapy for all my modeling needs. Nothing wrong with it but that deprives you of the look and feel experience you get in a real world shop, which could you made a better decision in your tool selection.
Products I use in my builds viewtopic.php?f=192&t=27234
My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

- Vleugelmoer
- Sergeant Major of the Army

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Re: Sanding sticks
Hi Paul,
But Of-course you would recommend your own product
.... I heard you talk about the discount in one of your video posts on Youtube. Thanks for the reply so I can do the same so I can get my post count up to 50 so I qualify for mentioned discount. How's the sweet Senna bike coming along almost finished if you kept last weeks pace.
P.s. now I have you here, That Ultimate mega pack of sanders and thiny sticks does that also include the photo-etch placers??
But Of-course you would recommend your own product
P.s. now I have you here, That Ultimate mega pack of sanders and thiny sticks does that also include the photo-etch placers??
Damm the glue is getting to me 
On the Bench:
1:35 Italeri Jeep Follow Me Jeep for the PTO GB
1:32 Revell F-4 Phantom for the Phantom Freaks SIG
On the Bench:
1:35 Italeri Jeep Follow Me Jeep for the PTO GB
1:32 Revell F-4 Phantom for the Phantom Freaks SIG
- Paul
- Site Admin

- Posts: 12622
- Joined: Thu May 23, 2013 4:47 pm
- Location: Merseyside, England, UK
- Contact:

Re: Sanding sticks
No just the sanders buddy, you can buy the placers separately.Vleugelmoer wrote:Hi Paul,
But Of-course you would recommend your own product.... I heard you talk about the discount in one of your video posts on Youtube. Thanks for the reply so I can do the same so I can get my post count up to 50 so I qualify for mentioned discount. How's the sweet Senna bike coming along almost finished if you kept last weeks pace.
P.s. now I have you here, That Ultimate mega pack of sanders and thiny sticks does that also include the photo-etch placers??
The senna bike isn't far of being done now after the last ATB video
Products I use in my builds viewtopic.php?f=192&t=27234
My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

My Paul-Ism page https://www.facebook.com/thebenchwithpaul/
Friday Live show here https://www.facebook.com/groups/120548821977514/

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Dropis258
- Corporal

- Posts: 71
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Re: Sanding sticks
Tried loads of different ones,I'm currently using my daughters I stole from her lol. Not the. best to use !o! .....Ultimate here I. come !!!!
Not the best , but I'm learning something new everyday, I'm a sucker for detail may take me longer to do something but it will be done to high level of detail to my abilities 
On the bench.... Not enough !
Revell 1/32 Spitfire
Meng Tiger
On the bench.... Not enough !
Revell 1/32 Spitfire
Meng Tiger
- wavelet
- Sergeant

- Posts: 124
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:39 pm
- Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
Re: Sanding sticks
I only use Ultimate sanders. I love them!
I scream, you scream, we all scream, for ice cream.
On the Bench: Trumpeter 1:35, BMP-1 IFV; Meng 1:35, VsKfz 617 (Minenräumer); Tamiya 1:35, S.A.S. Land Rover Pink Panther.
On the Bench: Trumpeter 1:35, BMP-1 IFV; Meng 1:35, VsKfz 617 (Minenräumer); Tamiya 1:35, S.A.S. Land Rover Pink Panther.




