BallReviews

General Category => Coverstock Preparation => Topic started by: lefty50 on December 04, 2010, 04:21:46 PM

Title: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: lefty50 on December 04, 2010, 04:21:46 PM
I've been researching previous posts on the topics mentioned above. Seems like the general buzz is Sia may last longer, but seems harder to find (heard about grizzly and bowlingbeat).
Also looking for info on CAB blocks vs SMT (I have a spinner, and the SMT looks uncomfortable to hold).

Updated comments in the Abralon/Sia debate would be appreciated.
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Signature? I dont need no stinking signature...
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: The Dreaded Durbin on December 05, 2010, 12:57:45 AM
Saair last the longest and are the best price.  Saair also has a few other grit levels but I do believe that there will be some new Abralon pads in the future.

CAB blocks are nice, but they are just regular sand paper and you must buy the CAB replacement paper when it wears out.  CABs fit the contour of the ball very nicely.  If your going to be doing ball work by hand, than the CABs are the way to go.  

CABs are good for resurfacing by hand, if you wish to do that.

I do not waste Saair/Abralon on resurfacing or touching up plug work.  



Edited on 12/5/2010 1:58 AM
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: adcwsdad on December 05, 2010, 06:04:17 AM
Abralon vs Sia. Cab vs SMT. The debate is on.
   I have heard that Sia lasts longer than Abralon.  Depends on how much pressure you apply, how long you sand with a particular pad, whether wet sanding or dry sanding. It has been my experience that if you wet sand, they both last about the same length of time or # of sandings. (I don't reccommend dry sanding unless the ball is really trashed and I want to take a lot of surface off fast. I use  only the courser grits, i.e.. 180, 240 or 360). When I am done resurfacing a ball, I rinse the residue from the pads under running water in the sink and lay them aside to dry.
   I have a ball spinner also. There are several things I like about the SMT (SMart Pro from www.polishyourball.com). First is how clean it is to use. My spinner sets on a bench in the garage. No splatter shield, no tub. With the SMT and an Abralon or Sia pad, all that is needed to wet sand is 3 or 4 light sprays of water with a squirt bottle in the center of the pad at first and then just a couple more sprays as you do each additional side of the ball with the same pad. The SMT and the sanding pads (which have a foam interior)help to keep the water on the surface of the ball, not flying through the air all over the place. Another thing I like about the SMT is you can use two hands and apply as much pressure as you want. I hold the SMT between my thumb and index finger,in the web of my hand. My hand just lays on top. You don't hold onto the handle like a door knob. Another plus, with the polishing bonnet slipped over the cup, I can lightly polish or really burn it in. Hopes this helps.
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: lefty50 on December 05, 2010, 10:19:32 AM
Thanks guys, good info. Are Grizzly and bowlingbeat the best places to get Sia?
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Signature? I dont need no stinking signature...
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: bluerrpilot on December 05, 2010, 11:12:15 AM
quote:
Thanks guys, good info. Are Grizzly and bowlingbeat the best places to get Sia?
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Signature? I dont need no stinking signature...


No...there is a poster on here that sells them from national abrasives. I cant remember her screename but pm me and ill send you her email
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"USBC is concerned that technology has overtaken player skill in determining success in the sport of bowling"

http://www.viseinserts.com/
http://www.astbowling.com/
http://www.phxbowling.com/acba
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: ccrider on December 05, 2010, 11:41:27 PM
Best price I have found is ebay. 20 pads, your pick, 54 bucks shipped.

quote:
Thanks guys, good info. Are Grizzly and bowlingbeat the best places to get Sia?
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Signature? I dont need no stinking signature...

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Those that can do. Those that can't complain. Pimpin ain't easy, but it's mandatory.

Most things we like, we don't need. Most things we need, we don't like. Don't confuse your likes with your needs.
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: Ballistic Revs on December 17, 2010, 09:12:38 PM
HI Guys,
Im a distributor of Sia Abrasives in Australia.
The sanding pads have been tested here and yes do last much longer than abralon.
They can be found on Ebay.com.au
Store name Ballistic Revs.
User ID: Bowl2handed.
Any grit combination you like, shipped worldwide, discount on shipping for quantity.
Currently i have 5 pro shops in the States that are regular customers, i also sell so Malaysia, Finland, France, Canada.....
They are the best pads by far.
240, 360, 500, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000 Grits available.
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: TheDude on January 19, 2011, 07:32:51 AM
The Sia pads vs abralon have been something i've been thinking about lately. The Sia pad is an Aluminum Oxide and Abralon is a Carbon Silicon.

 

Aluminum Oxide is a softer abrasive and thats why brunswick/ sia says it leaves less deep scratches. the reason why it lasts longer is the way it cuts, it plows through the surface.

 

Carbon Silicon is the harder of the two abrasive, and takes less pressure to get the same result. The way this abrasive cuts is it looks more like a rake making wider deeper scratches.

 

I use abralon and it lasts long on a haus machine because it has constant equal pressure. But i can tell you the results of a brand new set of 180 or 360 pads can run on the machine for 3 mins max otherwise it rips the cover appart on any ball. the same set of pads that are 20 balls used take almost 10 minutes to get the same results.

 

 


Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shops
LaSalle, Quebec-Located inside Pont Mercier Lanes.
Keep them honest!

Ebay store updated very often: http://stores.ebay.com/gumby3170?refid+store
Title: Re: Siaair, Abralon,CAB blocks, SMT
Post by: Malibu300 on February 12, 2011, 08:43:47 PM
My research finds the Siaair pads are 25% more expensive than the Abralon pads
  • 20 Abralon Pads are $56.25 (including shipping) with customer choice of Grits  Equals $2.81 each
  • 20 Siaair Pads are $70.70 (including shipping) with customer choice of Grits Equals $3.54 each
Conclusion:
  • Siaair Pads are 25% more expensive than Abralon Pads
  • Siaair Pads would need to last 25% longer to be equal to Abralon
  • 4 Siaair Pads are equal to 5 Abralon Pads in price 
The Siaair pads would need to last at least 25% longer than the Abralon pads to be cost effective
 
Do Siaair Pads last over 25% longer than Abralon pads?
If so how much longer do the Siaair pads last than the Abralon pads?