We certainly don’t need to tell any of you that the world’s supply chain is a challenge right now. When even Amazon has trouble getting and delivering products on time, people notice. And, of course, any disruption or shortage causes prices to rise; sanding supplies are not an exception. Fortunately, we are here to spread some good news and explain how you can save some money while waiting for things to normalize a bit.

The first good news comes from the lumber industry, where  prices have begun to fall after being at records for some time. The US lumber market was not hurt as much by shut borders as other markets. But low interest rates kept home builders busy, so large builders and suppliers began stocking up to ensure they would be able to continue working. This mini bubble is deflating, and prices are now falling.

Plastic prices are beginning to lower after the May storms in Texas interrupted oil supplies, and although the shipping industry is chaotic right now, the shortage of containers and container ships is easing as more vessels are brought back into service. One of our customers reports that leads times for their products have dropped from 14 weeks to 10 weeks over the last 60 days, so there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

We are sandpaper people; we honestly have no idea how soon prices will stabilize or where they will finally end up. That said, we do know a thing or two about helping you save some money while you are waiting. Our first advice is to keep your  sanding disc and abrasive sheet supplies well stocked. There may still be more temporary supply interruptions, so watch your stocks and reorder before you get too low, especially if you rely on the custom made belts, sheets and rolls that 2Sand offers.

This blog has included many tips and tricks for getting the most from your sanding budget, and now more than ever, this is valuable information. We’ve covered topics like using  gum rubber cleaning sticks to keep your sanding belts and abrasive discs cutting well for as long as possible, minimizing sanding by masking properly to protect finishes and prevent additional clean up, and even changing how you work so that sanding moves from a milling step to the finishing process.

Choosing the right sanding supplies can help stretch your budget and reduce the frequency of reordering.  Abranet products cut fast, last a long time, and when combined with good dust collection, provide a superior surface finish. If you are not using Abranet products yet, this may be the time to start. You can also save time, money, and sanding discs with proper preparation techniques.

As we all work through the repercussions of this global event, keep in mind that “this too shall pass”, and with some care and thought, your business can emerge out the other side leaner and stronger. Remember that the Team at 2Sand is here to help you through this however we may.