Micro-Mesh 2 Way Flexi File - Reg Grit 4000/6000

The AMAZING Micro Mesh 2 Way Flexi File. Use this super fine grit stick to polish your pieces for a super sparkly finish. This really is a must-have for all jewellery makers, we love this at Metal Clay HQ ♥!

File size is 1.6cm x 14.5cm with a different grit on either side. Grit size is Regular 4000 (5 micron) /6000 (3 micron). 

It is also flexible, so great for manipulating around your curved pieces. Flexifiles are very strong and cope well with edge-work as well as being flexible enough to bend to fit contours. The file itself is thin enough not to inhibit movement and is a really handy size for working on intricate mould tools and parts. The material itself is strong and will withstand working on sharp edges and hard metals.

Can be used with water on resin and polymer clays. Gentle enough for working on metal clays. 

What is Micro Mesh?

Micro-Mesh™ is what we like to call a non-abrasive abrasive. It is considered a cushioned abrasive.

Conventional sandpaper is designed to be aggressive so that it will dig deeply. In its manufacture the crystals are electrically charged so that they will stand up. They are locked into a hard resin and when you apply the paper to a surface it will literally tear in and remove the substrate of the material you are sanding. The crystals cut in a negative raking motion, leaving inconsistent scratch patterns.

Micro-Mesh™ does the opposite. The backing is long lasting cloth to which an ultra-flexible cushioning layer is applied. This cushioning layer will determine how far forward you can push crystals before they will penetrate the cushioning layer. On top of this layer, we have a very resilient glue, not a hard resin, but a completely flexible glue that will hold the crystals while allowing it to move and rotate. The crystals can turn in any direction without coming loose. When you start to apply pressure to sand with Micro-Mesh™, the crystals will go into the cushioning layer while beginning to cut a bit. If you push harder, they will go further into the cushioning layer, which serves as a safety valve. It determines how much pressure you can exert in a downward direction. Instead of a deep scratch that sandpaper makes, Micro-Mesh™ produce a refined scratch that is close to a RMS of 1.0. The cushioning layer also allows the crystals to cut with a planing motion that leaves an extremely consistent scratch pattern and allows you to achieve extraordinary levels of gloss.

Where conventional abrasives will take surfaces down 2 or 3 thousandths (.002 or .003), Micro-Mesh™ will take it down one ten thousandth (.0001) or less.

What are Micro Mesh Regular grits? 

Micro-Mesh™ Regular Grits are slightly different to the FEPA grits. There are 9 different grades in total (4 are in this set of 2), ranging from 1500R to 12,000R. This is the equivalent of FEPA 600 to 1 micron. 

All Grades are silicone carbide except Reg 8000 and 1200 Aluminium Oxide.