What type of paper works best for sanding Eva?

Michael,
Sandpaper does not work well on EVA. Try different grads of dry wall sanding screen to shape and smooth EVA. When you get the grip to where you want it use a piece of denim to buff it up.
Buzz

Among the abrasive papers, I've found that a cloth backed (not paper) stearated abrasive paper works well. Because foam is soft and compliant, heat from frictional abrasion is needed to break down the foam. This process clogs most "sandpapers". Stearated abrasives are much better at preventing build up from accumulating and thus provide better performance. The downside is stearated abrasives are more costly to purchase. Spending a little extra for a more durable backing will really extend the usable life of the abrasive. I have some sample strips in various grades that I obtained from a commercial abrasive supplier that have shaped countless grips and are still holding up well. I find i get the best performance with very high rotational speeds and light pressure.

I'll second Buzz's recommendation as a viable alternative, but personally I prefer working with paper. For me, I found the drywall screen to be quite a bit messier. This isn't really much of a concern though if you have separate clean and dirty work areas. If you want to shape holding a vacuum hose near the mess to collect it as you turn, I think you'll find you get more of the foam into the vacuum hose with a closed backing abrasive strip compared to the screen. The con to the closed back abrasive is that it is a hotter cut and with the extra heat comes a stronger odor. Again this may or may not be a concern for you.

But really, either gets the job done.

Drywall is the worst thing to use since hte EVA heats up and clogs it. Cloth backed is teh way to go, finding it is difficult though. I have been usin ghte same piece of 40 grit paper for over a year, probably 100 grips and it's still just as good as it was teh first time I used it. I haev a bunch of youtube videos turning EVA grips down, there is no odor at all with it if you do the vacuum trick - I turn at 4000 rpm and experiance NONE of the issues people post about that they have when turning EVA. I really need to make a DVD

Thanks for the advice Buzz, but I'm going to stick with Billy on the cloth backed. I like your Idea about the denim for buffing though!!! I use down to 600 wet on my cork. Good Idea I like a smooth finish also.

I had planned on using screen for my first run, I do all my work in the same 20' x 24" room. I think I will go with the cloth instead...dust is the arch enemy of Pro Kote finish. Which I recommend over all other finishes. It has a very long work time before it "kicks" and if left alone will finish like glass! I just purchased a Shop-Vac 5986000 5-Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Stainless Steel Wet Dry Vacuum from Amazon with the bag installed you can vacuum up baby powder with it with no dust output and the suction is unbelievable! It was only $67.40 with 2 day free shipping on prime. Thanks for your advice.

I was wondering about the turning speed. Why don't you make a DVD? It is not like you are busy with anything else. LOL

HEre are quite a few videos on turning EVA grips, and other stuff: [www.youtube.com]

HEre are quite a few videos on turning EVA grips, and other stuff: [www.youtube.com]

HEre are quite a few videos on turning EVA grips, and other stuff: [www.youtube.com]

Thanks Billy...

As John posted earlier set up your shop vac nozzle on a homemade stand right in front of the piece you are working on and you will have no trouble with dust. Ive never had a problem with it "clogging up'. just hold it against the shop vac nozzle of a second and its clean again.

As John posted earlier set up your shop vac nozzle on a homemade stand right in front of the piece you are working on and you will have no trouble with dust. Ive never had a problem with it "clogging up'. just hold it against the shop vac nozzle of a second and its clean again.

I will give it a try.

Check out Billy's vidios You will learn and answer most all your questions

Bill - willierods.com