Sand paper vs. steel wool

[Bob Daun]

After I finish turning a bowl, I usually sand up to about 320 grit. After a
few coats of Formby's Tung Oil Finish, I let them dry and the sand with 400
grit paper prior to the next coat. A year or so ago I bought some Liburon
0000 steel wool which is a very high quality product. However, I often
wonder how this steel wool would compare to one of the finer grits of
sandpaper. Does anyone have information on the relative merits? Which is
the finer abrasive? The Liburon 0000 steel wool or 400 grit sandpaper.

Bob

[prb]

In article <nIiRm.3616$cW....@newsreading01.news.tds.net>,
bld...@tds.net says...

Steel wool will leave little bits of itself in the grain, its fine for
rubbing down a finish but bare wood is not a good idea. There is also
the prospect of it winding round your work and grabbing your fingers as
it goes.

[Larry Blanchard]

I usually sand to 1000 grit and then burnish with shavings. Try that and
you won't need the steel wool.

I do use the Liberon 0000 for rubbing out a finish.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

[robo hippy]

I do utility bowls for most of my turnings. I sand to 400, then buff
in Mahoney's walnut oil with the synthetic grey, which I think is
equal to the 000 wool, abrasive pads. I stopped using the steel wool a
long time ago. Mostly due to the fibers left behind. They do show up,
and on light colored wood, if any moisture is present, rust spots will
show. You can see 320 grit scratch patterns with the naked eye, and
barely see the 400 grit scratches. With the grey pads, you can't see
anything. It is fine for getting a matt finish on rubbed on oil
finishes.

robo hippy