My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
ROY!
ROY! wrote:
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
For about $12 at Sam's I can get either 100 standard shop towels, or 50
terrycloth bar towels. Both types can be laundered depending on what you
use them for. For staining and wipe-on poly, I just reuse one till there
are no clean spots left, then throw it away.
Also, Lowe's carries a small bundle of tee-shirt type rags for about $5.
Kind of expensive, but I keep some on hand for when I want the smoother,
thinner material.
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
McMaster Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/
Do a search for: Cloth Rags
Scroll down to a selection of rags.
You want low-lint rags.
Lint fibers embedded in a finish will make one cry.
Also, EBay on occasions has unused cut up tee shirts for sale.
There use to be a 100% cotton muslin low lint rag around called 'washed
sugar sack' or just plain sugar sack. One time use cotton cloth, a bit
lighter than a cotton Tee, was really used as a cloth sack for shipping
sugar in. After use, got washed and sold as rags. You may see on EBay
also.
Some places they call sugar sack rags, flour sack rags. Google.
Phil
ROY! wrote:
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
Scott Rags in a Box. Paper and lint free. I use them until they are
too dirty and stiff to even clean oil off router bits, then toss them.
Oh and I do dry them first.
mahalo,
jo4hn
ROY! wrote:
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of rags
from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough
mac davis wrote:
> On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:49:06 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of rags
>>from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
>
> Make sure all the buttons are off..lol
Yep
> I use old t-shirts for big messes, but for things like polishing on the
> lathe it just isn't worth the effort of removing the seams and stuff..
>
Wife is a quilter. Those rolling Olfa cutters make quick work of seams
and making rags of old clothing.
> Paper towels are my friend..
>
>
> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing
--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough
Malcolm Hoar wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] wrote:
>>On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:49:06 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of
>>> rags
>>>from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
>>
>>Make sure all the buttons are off..lol
>
> And the zippers. You don't want your tool catching in
> a zipper. It stings. A lot!
>
Well, that's only true if your shop is going commando
--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough
mac davis wrote:
> On Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:09:19 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>Malcolm Hoar wrote:
>>
>>> In article <[email protected]>,
>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>>On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:49:06 -0700, Mark & Juanita
>>>><[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of
>>>>> rags
>>>>>from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
>>>>
>>>>Make sure all the buttons are off..lol
>>>
>>> And the zippers. You don't want your tool catching in
>>> a zipper. It stings. A lot!
>>>
>>
>> Well, that's only true if your shop is going commando
>
>
> ummm... I'm not sure that Malch was referring to the shop..
>
;-)
>
> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing
--
If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough
"ROY!" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
I use the 5# bag/box of bleached cotton remnants typically sold at Rockler
and Woodcraft. Typically under $20.
"ROY!" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
Honey, have you seen that new set of sheets I bought?
Uh.....wha?
On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:56:44 GMT, ROY! <[email protected]> wrote:
>My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
>thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
>shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
>use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
>do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
>ROY!
I have dozens of industrial rags that I launder from time to time. I
don't use these with finishes or oil--for that I use worn out
T-shirts, socks, or any worn out cloth or paper towels. I get enough
spent cloth from a 2-person family. Lots of old clothing at garage
sales for less $ than buying rags at the BORG.
On Dec 5, 4:56 am, ROY! <[email protected]> wrote:
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
I got a box of squares of t-shirt material from the BORG. They're
just right for finishing, and a box lasts me quite a while.
DonkeyHody
"We can't all be heros because somebody has to sit on the curb and
clap as they go by." - Will Rogers
On Dec 5, 4:56 am, ROY! <[email protected]> wrote:
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
I have two sources.
My local St Vinnies still sells big bags of old tshirts for five
bucks, but I have to sift through them looking for bags that are
mostly white. If they ever stop selling, I'd go to garage sales.
For a lot of finishes, I took a finishing class at Woodcraft and came
away with a few tips: General Finishes SealACell and ArmrSeal, and
Viva paper towels. I didn't believe it at first but Viva is lint free
and sturdy, and does a great job applying both of those. That's what I
use for most of my finishes. The cloth shop rags are mostly for jobs
where they can be washed.
Roger amd Missy Behnke wrote:
> Try Goodwill. They get a lot of clothing that is in very bad shape so they
> rag them out. Get your wipers and help a worthy organization.
>
It may be a local thing but I understand Goodwill in my area now sells
all donated clothing not fit for immediate sale to textile recyclers
(about 90% of the clothing they receive).
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "ROY!" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
>> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
>> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
>> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
>> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>>
>> ROY!
>
> I use the 5# bag/box of bleached cotton remnants typically sold at Rockler
> and Woodcraft. Typically under $20.
>
I buy mine from Sherwin Williams. Any paint store should have them.
Roy,
Check some of the local paint stores. They often have large sacks of rags
for a reasonable price.
Roger
"ROY!" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
Try Goodwill. They get a lot of clothing that is in very bad shape so they
rag them out. Get your wipers and help a worthy organization.
"ROY!" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
SHOPDOG wrote:
> I get mine from a commercial laundry. All they clean are the ones from
> hotels and motels... I pay .50 lb. All are white terry and great for the
> messy jobs plus sometimes I even get new ones that have defects and we use
> those for hand towels in the house.
>
> SD
>
>
Same here for the shop rags. I just bought a 40 gallon trash bag full
of hand towels, linen table cloths, etc. for $20.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
On Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:50:37 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> Wife is a quilter. Those rolling Olfa cutters make quick work of seams
>and making rags of old clothing.
>
sounds cool... I found out right away that you don't want to tear a T-shirt into
strips... what a mess..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:49:06 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of rags
>>from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
>
>Make sure all the buttons are off..lol
And the zippers. You don't want your tool catching in
a zipper. It stings. A lot!
--
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| Malcolm Hoar "The more I practice, the luckier I get". |
| [email protected] Gary Player. |
| http://www.malch.com/ Shpx gur PQN. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:49:06 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
> My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of rags
>from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
Make sure all the buttons are off..lol
I use old t-shirts for big messes, but for things like polishing on the lathe it
just isn't worth the effort of removing the seams and stuff..
Paper towels are my friend..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
"ROY!" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
> thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
> shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
> use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
> do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
> ROY!
I hit a few yard sales every summer and buy up a bunch of old sheets. Some
times as much as a quarter a set, Tear them into right sizes and bingo shop
rags.
On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:56:44 GMT, ROY! <[email protected]> wrote:
>My once fertile source of shop rags seems to be drying up. The local
>thrift shop was once a source of used, white, all cotton tees at 5
>shirts for a buck. Lately these have been fewer and farther between. I
>use a lot of shop rags since my finishing is mostly wipe on. So what
>do you guys use for shop rags and where do you get them?
>
>ROY!
These are a little pricey, but work well for whatever I can't use paper towels
for..
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=49422&cat=2,42194,40727
I'm cheap and cut my paper towel rolls in half, or in thirds for turning.. Seems
like I was always folding a paper towel several times to get it smaller..
I also use these and like them a lot:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46163
I notice that they're red in this picture, they're usually yellow..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:09:19 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]> wrote:
>Malcolm Hoar wrote:
>
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:49:06 -0700, Mark & Juanita <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My old shirts and other old clothing. For finishing jobs, a box of
>>>> rags
>>>>from Woodworker's Supply lasts quite a while.
>>>
>>>Make sure all the buttons are off..lol
>>
>> And the zippers. You don't want your tool catching in
>> a zipper. It stings. A lot!
>>
>
> Well, that's only true if your shop is going commando
ummm... I'm not sure that Malch was referring to the shop..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
On Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:14:09 -0800, mac davis
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I also use these and like them a lot:
>http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46163
>
>I notice that they're red in this picture, they're usually yellow..
I've bought some of these and they actually work pretty well. They
used to be yellow, they've actually been red for a couple years now,
at least around here.