Hello all,
I've run into a slight problem with making EVA grips. This is the 1st time I've tried to make EVA grips (I purchased a block of EVA from MH). I tried to use the same technique I use when shaping cork grips which is using a drill as a small lathe with some varying grits in sand paper but the EVA looked like it was melting and not getting any smaller in size. What kind of tools to do you guys use to shape EVA grips? Do I need a lathe or can it be done with a drill setup? Do you prefer to use a special type of sand paper (I was using regular 80grit)? I tried to do a search on this topic but nothing came up so please direct me to the thread of this topic has already been covered.

Thank you.

If it is square I would cut to get it as close to round. Then try the paper that is a mesh....sort of a cheese grater approach. Then switch over to normal stuff to polish it out. 400 grit followed by old denim works well.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

EVA, being soft, will tend to move away from the sanding medium. To keep heat low, you need to apply more pressure with your sandpaper (power over speed), which may be hard to do with a common drill type set-up. You may also want to move to 60 or even 40 grit for basic shape, then move up from there to smooth things back out.

...................

Thank you both for your replies, I will try both recommendations!

Fabric backed sandpaper works better than big box home store paper.

I’ve turned and sanded down a number of grips using the progression I learned from Billy V - 80, 120, 150 and 220 on the lathe turning pretty fast - around 4000 rpm - and lean into it to get it to cut.

This is with the quite firm Eva blocks - around 70 durometer i believe.

I’ve been turning EVA with sandpaper as well with no problem. As was mentioned, you can buy it in cylinders from MH which is much easier to work with IMHO. Blocks seem like an unneeded step. I use same grits as when turning cork. I also use a handmade drill lathe that I outfitted with a dimmer switch to vary the speeds when needed.

Chuck

><))))">….><))))">….><))))">….Just Fish

Prior Lake Rod Building Guild
Instagram @pl_rod_building_guild

Un-bored blocks are needed if you want a grip with a larger OD that the pre-bored ones, or if you’re going to do decorative grips that require cutting especially at angles, etc

Michael Ward Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fabric backed sandpaper works better than big box
> home store paper.
>
> I’ve turned and sanded down a number of grips
> using the progression I learned from Billy V - 80,
> 120, 150 and 220 on the lathe turning pretty fast
> - around 4000 rpm - and lean into it to get it to
> cut.
>
> This is with the quite firm Eva blocks - around 70
> durometer i believe.

I was able to get it to turn down with the sandpaper but the finish was a bit fuzzy. Any recommendations? I tried up to 400 but had difficulty in getting a really smooth surface.

Hello Lee.

Like Russ says old denim works well.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Robert,
You indicate that old denim works well.

Would brand new denim from a $200 pair of jeans work just as well as the old denim/

Hello Roger.

Would'nt know, never tried new denim, but what the heck if you don't mind i'll bet the rod won't mind.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

P.S. On a serious note the blue on new denim might rub off onto your EVA (blue streaks in your white EVA).

Bob,

New Bern, NC.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2020 11:19AM by Robert A. Guist.