Will sanding palmrest edge blow the warranty? [Archive]

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 09:41 AM

If i keep this one, i'll be getting out a file and some sandpaper.
I need to soften the edge of the palmrest. What about the warranty?

The smoothest trackpad in the world and it's is 1/4 inch away from the sharpest edged palm rest of all time. (IMO it is sharper than the older plastic books).

If I wasn't still so steamed about the the loss of firewire, I'd really be upset about the edge issue.

thx,
rw

I dont think it would void the warranty but you never know!
Just take some sandpaper and run it across a few times. Like 400 grit or something. Nothing crazy.

danvan21

Dec 11, 2008, 10:10 AM

If i keep this one, i'll be getting out a file and some sandpaper.
I need to soften the edge of the palmrest. What about the warranty?

The smoothest trackpad in the world and it's is 1/4 inch away from the sharpest edged palm rest of all time. (IMO it is sharper than the older plastic books).

If I wasn't still so steamed about the the loss of firewire, I'd really be upset about the edge issue.

thx,
rw

are you kidding? its aluminum. Sandpaper might not even scratch it.

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 10:13 AM

are you kidding? its aluminum. Sandpaper might not even scratch it.

Hes trying to remove a sharp edge, sandpaper will work just fine.

danvan21

Dec 11, 2008, 10:15 AM

i want to see some pics of this cause its going to be funny. Its not going to do anything. its aluminum, VS sand paper. good luck

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 10:16 AM

i want to see some pics of this cause its going to be funny. Its not going to do anything. its aluminum, VS sand paper. good luck

Take sandpaper to a knife blade! Your telling me you wont be able to dull it???

alphaod

Dec 11, 2008, 10:19 AM

Just a grinder and you'll have no computer in no time. :D

bartelby

Dec 11, 2008, 10:22 AM

i want to see some pics of this cause its going to be funny. Its not going to do anything. its aluminum, VS sand paper. good luck

Aluminium is a relatively soft metal. Sandpaper will do quite a lot.

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 10:24 AM

Aluminium is a relatively soft metal. Sandpaper will do quite a lot.

THANK YOU!

Bwilky

Dec 11, 2008, 12:49 PM

Don't put to much pressure on it, you want to be able to see if its going to cause irreversible damage. And I doubt it will void your warranty, your saving apple some money by not returning it.

California

Dec 11, 2008, 01:37 PM

I would use black "wet' sandpaper at the finest grit available. Like the sandpaper they use when lacquering.

Be careful.

themoonisdown09

Dec 11, 2008, 01:39 PM

Take a soldering iron to it. You can probably shape it any way you want.

Tosser

Dec 11, 2008, 01:51 PM

are you kidding? its aluminum. Sandpaper might not even scratch it.

i want to see some pics of this cause its going to be funny. Its not going to do anything. its aluminum, VS sand paper. good luck

LOL, are you one of those blokes going "it's metal!! It's much stronger than plastics"?

Seriously, even though aluminium is a metal, it's so soft and so malleable it has to be anodized to become even just a bit resistant to abrasion.

If I'm not mistaken, sandpaper works by using abrasion, "rasping" material off stroke by stroke.

belvdr

Dec 11, 2008, 02:07 PM

I dont think it would void the warranty but you never know!
Just take some sandpaper and run it across a few times. Like 400 grit or something. Nothing crazy.

Get too crazy with it, and I bet they'll void his warranty. I cannot see any reason a computer manufacturer would think it is okay to sand down their product. ;)

Ibjr

Dec 11, 2008, 03:24 PM

Whoever is saying it will void the warranty is crazy, cosmetic damages does not void the warranty.

RedTomato

Dec 11, 2008, 03:44 PM

You need a 12'' angle grinder.

Here's me grinding down the palmrests on my new macbook. Note the suitable eye-protection. All precautions were taken.

http://www.jojosagency.com.au/photos-2006/djinn-angle-grinding.jpg

NewMacbookPlz

Dec 11, 2008, 04:32 PM

tubbymac

Dec 11, 2008, 05:25 PM

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 06:04 PM

If this works please post pictures and what sandpaper you used. Strangely enough I was considering the same thing since the sharp palm rests really do cut into your palms/wrists if you're like me and rest your palms on the aluminum a lot.

Are they actually SHARP or just uncomfortable??
My white MacBook was SHARP! This aluminum one is nothing like that. I bet i could cut myself enuff to bleed on my white one.

acfusion29

Dec 11, 2008, 06:28 PM

Ok well I don't know about you guys... but when I'm using the trackpad, my wrist is no where near the edge.

If I even try to put my wrist on the edge, I'm not even able to use the trackpad properly...

danvan21

Dec 11, 2008, 06:39 PM

LOL, are you one of those blokes going "it's metal!! It's much stronger than plastics"?

Seriously, even though aluminium is a metal, it's so soft and so malleable it has to be anodized to become even just a bit resistant to abrasion.

If I'm not mistaken, sandpaper works by using abrasion, "rasping" material off stroke by stroke.

ok, so ill just sand down this rough cut diamond i have, oh wait i can't because something thats weaker than something can't do anything to it. wow you are dumb.

OrangeSVTguy

Dec 11, 2008, 07:10 PM

Sandpaper will work. Start out with 200-400 to remove the most material then finish with 1000 and then 2000 to smooth it all up. I wouldn't do that anyways as you will ruin the anodized finish and it won't look right now matter how much you sand/polish it.

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 07:15 PM

ok, so ill just sand down this rough cut diamond i have, oh wait i can't because something thats weaker than something can't do anything to it. wow you are dumb.

He knows what he's talking about man.. No need for name calling!

To the OP, Dont listen to this nonsense, you can indeed sand metal! As someone suggested, Find sandpaper for auto body work. Wet/Dry paper about 400 or 600 grit should leave you with no visible scratches.

Molopo

Dec 11, 2008, 08:09 PM

Isn't there a less permanent solution to this problem...? Perhaps a piece of tape on the edge of the laptop? IMO sanding's a bit extreme....

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 08:11 PM

Isn't there a less permanent solution to this problem...? Perhaps a piece of tape on the edge of the laptop? IMO sanding's a bit extreme....

I know what your saying but i doubt anyone with a mac is gonna wanna walk around with tape on it! ;)

I can hear the windows fan boys now! "oh you need tape to hold your mac together, blah blah blah"

tubbymac

Dec 11, 2008, 08:46 PM

Are they actually SHARP or just uncomfortable??
My white MacBook was SHARP! This aluminum one is nothing like that. I bet i could cut myself enuff to bleed on my white one.

It's definitely not sharp enough to cut your palm, just a nuisance. Looking at the edge very closely I can make out an approximately 1mm bevel so it's not like the palm rest and the sides meet at a 90 degree sharp edge. It's very hard to see but makes you appreciate the level of detail in this aluminum unibody.

It would be more comfortable if they rounded the edge by about 2-3 mm but I guess they decided the beveled edge looks better. This is a case where they chose form over function.

People with smaller hands, like kids and girls, etc, should not have this problem since their palms won't reach the edges anyway.

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 09:04 PM

It's definitely not sharp enough to cut your palm, just a nuisance. Looking at the edge very closely I can make out an approximately 1mm bevel so it's not like the palm rest and the sides meet at a 90 degree sharp edge. It's very hard to see but makes you appreciate the level of detail in this aluminum unibody.

It would be more comfortable if they rounded the edge by about 2-3 mm but I guess they decided the beveled edge looks better. This is a case where they chose form over function.

People with smaller hands, like kids and girls, etc, should not have this problem since their palms won't reach the edges anyway.

I know what your saying. Mine is on the verge of being uncomfortable but your right, a little bevel would have been nice! Ive adapted to it now. I dont even notice it anymore until threads like this come along.

cellocello

Dec 11, 2008, 10:21 PM

I dont even notice it anymore until threads like this come along.

hah, I was just thinking the same thing.

Over-thinking will make you neurotic!

robanga

Dec 11, 2008, 10:26 PM

just envisioning you doing this is making me shudder. But it is your property - Mod away. The warranty question is interesting. If I was Apple I'd consider it a mistreatment or modification and void it, but who knows. It will be interesting to see what they say.

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 10:30 PM

just envisioning you do this is making me shudder. But it is your property - Mod away. The warranty question is interesting. If I was Apple I'd consider it a mistreatment or modification and void it, but who knows. It will be interesting to see what they say.

Sanding the outer body of the macbook in NO WAY will effect the performance, therefor not voiding the warranty.

shady825

Dec 11, 2008, 10:31 PM

hah, I was just thinking the same thing.

Over-thinking will make you neurotic!

same with the "dead pixel" threads and the "uneven keys"

I never even looked for that stuff till i saw the threads!

Victor Star

Dec 11, 2008, 10:54 PM

From what I understand if you disturb the anodizing on aluminum it will start changing color right away and degrade a lot faster than if it was left alone. It's only cosmetic though. I think you'd be better off to put a strip of clear vinyl tape along the edge.

Tosser

Dec 12, 2008, 02:12 AM

ok, so ill just sand down this rough cut diamond i have, oh wait i can't because something thats weaker than something can't do anything to it. wow you are dumb.

First of all, aluminium is soft. Not hard. It is NOT a "rough diamond" :rolleyes:

Secondly, even hardened steel can be ground with sand paper. Yes it will take a while, and you will have to use plenty of sand paper. But it's doable.
The only dumb person here is the one who thinks that aluminium is some kind of hard metal which cannot be formed, shaped, roughened, sand papered or anything else, since "it's a metal".

Hell, the sharp edges can even be cut off with a plane if you so choose. It won't be pretty and you wouldn't want to use a Lie-Nielsen plane, but nonetheless.

Next up: Danvan tries to argue that lead, being a metal, isn't malleable either.

Seriously, people who know nothing about metals but put them all in the same box really shouldn't bark about their properties.

RedTomato

Dec 12, 2008, 01:23 PM

I'd like to hear from some people who have been using their alu macbooks pretty intensively for a while now.

Have you found that the wristrest edge sort of round itself down over time from the wear and tear of daily use?

I've set up about 6 white macbooks in the past year, including my own personal one, and every single one has had razor sharp edges on the wristrest when I took it out of the box. I seriously considered sanding down my own personal macbook, but after a few weeks / a month or two, every one of these 6 macbooks has developed a nice rounded edge on the wristrest.

Maybe the same will happen to the alu books? Living in the UK, there's plenty of old buildings and old staircases here, and I've seen solid granite steps (the hardest stone in the world, harder than most metals) worn down over 3 inches by nothing more than soft shoe leather over the centuries.

(ps, I shouldn't have to say this, but water is generally held to be softer than most sandpapers, yet it carved out the Grand Canyon... )

PeterQC

Dec 12, 2008, 01:33 PM

(ps, I shouldn't have to say this, but water is generally held to be softer than most sandpapers, yet it carved out the Grand Canyon... )

Not water alone. Erosion is caused by the littles particles that are in the water, the basically do the same thing that the grain does on a sand paper.

OrangeSVTguy

Dec 12, 2008, 01:46 PM

I'm pretty sure they used high-pressure water to carve out the unibooks aluminum case....

PeterQC

Dec 12, 2008, 01:52 PM

I'm pretty sure they used high-pressure water to carve out the unibooks aluminum case....

Yeah, but there all the mechanical work is done by the pressure.

California

Dec 12, 2008, 02:12 PM

I change my vote to some sort of clear tape or clear adhesive to soften the edges.

cellocello

Dec 12, 2008, 02:18 PM

http://www.ozomatli.com/ecom/images/ozo_wristbands.jpg

Sun Baked

Dec 12, 2008, 02:21 PM

Only Problem I can see with this is the sanding causing powdered aluminum to get inside the machine.

Should see those sparks as the aluminum shorts the motherboard.

Regular dust is a problem, blocking airflow and acting as an insulator. Hate to see what would happen with conductive dust.

dukebound85

Dec 12, 2008, 02:22 PM

are you kidding? its aluminum. Sandpaper might not even scratch it.

have you ever worked with metals? :rolleyes:

ok, so ill just sand down this rough cut diamond i have, oh wait i can't because something thats weaker than something can't do anything to it. wow you are dumb.

ok just stay out of this thread and stop spreading lies. you have NO clue what you are even talking about....

hey guess what? lead's a metal and i can bend it in my hands!!!!

Tosser

Dec 12, 2008, 02:28 PM

have you ever worked with metals? :rolleyes:

Pretty sure he has merely touched it, and thought "cool" (literally), and then went "oh, it must be harder than anything else. It's a 'metal', thus nothing can do anything to it".

Yup. At least that's what he seems to be thinking.

Seriously, he has never touched anything metal with anything other than the soft parts of his hands. Not even a nail.

NC MacGuy

Dec 12, 2008, 02:53 PM

Even though it is aluminum, I don't think I'd try it. There is a finish on it. That's why when it's scratched or nicked, it gets darker. You can read threads about how to get rid of scratches on MBA, MBP to get a picture. My Air has a few scratches on the bottom that are black/dark compared to rest of case.

I sanded my plastibook without any issues but really wouldn't advise it on the new MB's.

alphaod

Dec 12, 2008, 03:40 PM

I can hear the windows fan boys now! "oh you need tape to hold your mac together, blah blah blah"

I want to clear something up:

Windows is an operating system; it has nothing to do with hardware.

danvan21

Dec 12, 2008, 03:41 PM

First of all, aluminium is soft. Not hard. It is NOT a "rough diamond" :rolleyes:

Secondly, even hardened steel can be ground with sand paper. Yes it will take a while, and you will have to use plenty of sand paper. But it's doable.
The only dumb person here is the one who thinks that aluminium is some kind of hard metal which cannot be formed, shaped, roughened, sand papered or anything else, since "it's a metal".

Hell, the sharp edges can even be cut off with a plane if you so choose. It won't be pretty and you wouldn't want to use a Lie-Nielsen plane, but nonetheless.

Next up: Danvan tries to argue that lead, being a metal, isn't malleable either.

Seriously, people who know nothing about metals but put them all in the same box really shouldn't bark about their properties.

wow, did i ever claim that because aluminum is a metal it cant be sanded? no, i said cause its hard. Aluminum is soft compared to other metals and MOST, like 99%, of sandpapers wont do much. Special sandpapers can, like the stuff i use at work. Way to throw down insults and make yourself look stupid.

Knolly

Dec 12, 2008, 03:43 PM

Yeah, but there all the mechanical work is done by the pressure.

No...

In the videos of the unibodies being made there's a ton of water pouring onto them but the water is not cutting out the aluminum, milling machines are.

The purpose of the water is to create a smoother finish. For instance, there's a technique known as "wet sanding." Basically, when you sand something with sand paper, if you put water on either the object or the sandpaper the finish will be smoother.

To answer the OP's question... I doubt it's void the warranty. After all, laser etching doesn't.

dukebound85

Dec 12, 2008, 03:48 PM

wow, did i ever claim that because aluminum is a metal it cant be sanded? no, i said cause its hard. Aluminum is soft compared to other metals and MOST, like 99%, of sandpapers wont do much. Special sandpapers can, like the stuff i use at work. Way to throw down insults and make yourself look stupid.

i think alot of people have experience in metals here and you were the one saying sandpaper couldnt scratch it because its "hard" lol

99% of sandpapers? where are you pulling these figures seriously:rolleyes:

No...

In the videos of the unibodies being made there's a ton of water pouring onto them but the water is not cutting out the aluminum, milling machines are.

The purpose of the water is to create a smoother finish. For instance, there's a technique known as "wet sanding." Basically, when you sand something with sand paper, if you put water on either the object or the sandpaper the finish will be smoother.

To answer the OP's question... I doubt it's void the warranty. After all, laser etching doesn't.

i dont know about smoother finish as opposed to keeping the milling bit cool. but usually you dont use water to cool the tool bit so it may be for the finish. eh whatever lol

danvan21

Dec 12, 2008, 03:49 PM

like 99% meaning a lot. Just like glass cant scratch a diamond, most sandpapers can't affect metal.

likemyorbs

Dec 12, 2008, 03:58 PM

hey everyone, nice to be back from time out. personally, i havent had a problem with the edges on my new macbook. the plastic macbook on the other hand was a different story, i thought it was trying to kill me because it was always slitting my wrist. the aluminum seems softer...

PeterQC

Dec 12, 2008, 04:09 PM

The purpose of the water is to create a smoother finish. For instance, there's a technique known as "wet sanding." Basically, when you sand something with sand paper, if you put water on either the object or the sandpaper the finish will be smoother.

I was wrong then.

like 99% meaning a lot. Just like glass cant scratch a diamond, most sandpapers can't affect metal.

On the Moh Scale, depending on the alloy:
Aluminium, gold and silver have a rating of 2.5-3
Copper 3.
Plain iron is at 4-5.
Platinum 4-4.5.

The abrasive part of sand paper is made out of other metals/minerals. The cheap sand paper, depending of the grain, will scratch, and surely easily, aluminum. And there's Sand Paper that are able to sand some minerals from the rating 9, so we're a long way of saying metals can't be scratched.

http://geology.about.com/cs/mineralogy/a/abrasives.htm
http://www.wikipedia.com

sparkstack

Dec 12, 2008, 04:26 PM

like 99% meaning a lot. Just like glass cant scratch a diamond, most sandpapers can't affect metal.
Seriously. Stop. Posting. My jaw aches from all the laughing.

shady825

Dec 12, 2008, 04:55 PM

I want to clear something up:

Windows is an operating system; it has nothing to do with hardware.

WOW. You read WAY too much into my post.. First off it was a joke.
Would it make you happy if i said "PC USER'S" !?! :eek:

dukebound85

Dec 12, 2008, 04:58 PM

I want to clear something up:

Windows is an operating system; it has nothing to do with hardware.

im sure everyone on these forums knows that:cool:

WOW. You read WAY too much into my post.. First off it was a joke.
Would it make you happy if i said "PC USER'S" !?! :eek:

lol i got your comment dont worry

shady825

Dec 12, 2008, 05:04 PM

im sure everyone on these forums knows that:cool:

lol i got your comment dont worry

Thank you! I was like "did nobody understand that!?!?"

danvan21

Dec 12, 2008, 07:09 PM

http://www.duralectra.com/aluminum_finishing.html

who is stupid now? hhahahaha not me! Plus, i just went into my basement, got some sand paper and went to town. NOTHING!http://www.gemsociety.org/info/chlap.htm

I found different places saying that anodized aluminum was between a 6.5 and a 9 on the scale. Stop calling me stupid and just realize you cant win them all.

NC MacGuy

Dec 12, 2008, 07:15 PM

petermcphee

Dec 12, 2008, 07:26 PM

http://www.duralectra.com/aluminum_finishing.html

who is stupid now?

Umm... I'll tell you, but I think you'll be mad.

danvan21

Dec 12, 2008, 07:40 PM

Umm... I'll tell you, but I think you'll be mad.

way to edit my comment and then not add anything constructive to the conversation.

belvdr

Dec 12, 2008, 07:55 PM

way to edit my comment and then not add anything constructive to the conversation.

You can sand metal. Get some 40 or 60 grit sandpaper and run it across your doorknob, or wristwatch (if it's metal of course). It'll scratch it all up.

danvan21

Dec 12, 2008, 08:17 PM

You can sand metal. Get some 40 or 60 grit sandpaper and run it across your doorknob, or wristwatch (if it's metal of course). It'll scratch it all up.

of course you can scratch some metals. Anodized aluminum is very strong and it would be hard to sand something down very well. It might cause some minor stuff but nothing big.

Molopo

Dec 12, 2008, 11:20 PM

I know what your saying but i doubt anyone with a mac is gonna wanna walk around with tape on it! ;)

I can hear the windows fan boys now! "oh you need tape to hold your mac together, blah blah blah"

I don't think the tc realizes that sanding down the edge will make the MacBook look ugly as *******.

Oh, and by the way anodized aluminum is absolutely possible to sand down or scratch up. The back of my iPhone is proof of this.

likemyorbs

Dec 12, 2008, 11:32 PM

I don't think the tc realizes that sanding down the edge will make the MacBook look ugly as *******.

Oh, and by the way anodized aluminum is absolutely possible to sand down or scratch up. The back of my iPhone is proof of this.

yeah i think youre right about it looking ugly. but i also think its completely unneeded, the edges arent sharp at all.

mathnerd

Dec 13, 2008, 12:28 AM

Wow.

Sandpaper utilizes aluminum oxide for the abrasive. Aluminum oxide rates a 9 on Mohs' scale. Guess what else rates 9. Tungsten Carbide, the stuff they use for the cutters for milling stuff like steel and titanium and other extremely hard materials.
There are several types of anodizing, hard anodizing will produce a thicker skin of aluminum oxide providing a very hard surface. Color anodizing changes the color of the surface and does much less to affect the surface hardness of the material. The MacBook case is not hard anodized, it is simply color anodized so the careful application of some 600 grid will easliy break the sharp edge of the case. I would be willing to bet that I could carve out a nice sliver of the case material with my pocket knife and it is only high carbon steel.

petermcphee

Dec 13, 2008, 01:07 AM

way to edit my comment and then not add anything constructive to the conversation.

Ok. Here's something constructive. Your whole basic premise is wrong. When this is pointed out to you, you engage in "moving the goalposts" to make yourself look like less of a tool. The shocking part? You still think that the aluminum will stand up to sandpaper.

VSMacOne

Dec 13, 2008, 01:18 AM

Haha... somehow we managed to find something NEW to fight about.. done with screens, firewire, now onto aluminum vs sandpaper!! :D

Somebody brave just do it already and see what happens! I have to confess... I'm gonna laugh pretty hard if it messed up the MB.. :eek:

Tosser

Dec 13, 2008, 01:57 AM

wow, did i ever claim that because aluminum is a metal it cant be sanded? no, i said cause its hard.
You certainly implied it. And as a later quote will show, that is exactly what you meant.

Aluminum is soft compared to other metals and MOST, like 99%, of sandpapers wont do much. Special sandpapers can, like the stuff i use at work.

Man, aluminium is so easy to work with, exactly BECAUSE it's soft and malleable. You don't need special tools or "special" sand paper. Even cheapo sand paper used for pine will work.

Way to throw down insults and make yourself look stupid.

You have only yourself to thank for the stupidity-part.

i think alot of people have experience in metals here and you were the one saying sandpaper couldnt scratch it because its "hard" lol

99% of sandpapers? where are you pulling these figures seriously:rolleyes:

You took the words out of my mouth, Duke.
like 99% meaning a lot.
So, you did in fact just pull the number out your rear …

And here it comes, the quote I said would come later on:
Just like glass cant scratch a diamond, most sandpapers can't affect metal.

If the above is not saying "Aluminium is metal, thus it cannot be scratched" I think you should think about it. That is your sole argument and it certainly shows how little you know about metals.

The thing is un-anodized aluminium is very, very soft. In order to give it at least some abrasion resistance it is often anodized. But the anodizing is usually very, very thin, and even though it gives it some resistance, it's still not hard or even considered to be "very" abrasion resiistant. In other words: Sand paper will easily make short work of the finish and sharp corners.

http://www.duralectra.com/aluminum_finishing.html

who is stupid now? hhahahaha not me!
Wow! Just wow …

Plus, i just went into my basement, got some sand paper and went to town. NOTHING!http://www.gemsociety.org/info/chlap.htm

http://www.pixmix.us/files/3qgux0rmsq70nsxpl5n5.gif

I found different places saying that anodized aluminum was between a 6.5 and a 9 on the scale. Stop calling me stupid and just realize you cant win them all.

I don't care how many "places" you claim to have found. The reality is that you have no clue about aluminium, nor have you ever done anything with aluminium and you really don't know jack about aluminium's properties.

way to edit my comment and then not add anything constructive to the conversation.

You sound as if he manipulated your statement. He didn't. He took your claim and disagreed with it.

of course you can scratch some metals. Anodized aluminum is very strong and it would be hard to sand something down very well. It might cause some minor stuff but nothing big.

Again, what the hell are you on about? Again with the "Aluminium is metal, and thus it's very resistant to most anything". What a joke.

chrisiw

Dec 13, 2008, 09:58 AM

Seems to be a thing with Apple, you have to have sharp edge, so you know you are on a MacBook.
I would have thought that the negative feedback from the White MacBooks regarding the edge, they would have given us a laptop with a nice edge.:confused:

shady825

Dec 13, 2008, 10:29 AM

You certainly implied it. And as a later quote will show, that is exactly what you meant.

Man, aluminium is so easy to work with, exactly BECAUSE it's soft and malleable. You don't need special tools or "special" sand paper. Even cheapo sand paper used for pine will work.

You have only yourself to thank for the stupidity-part.

You took the words out of my mouth, Duke.

So, you did in fact just pull the number out your rear …

And here it comes, the quote I said would come later on:

If the above is not saying "Aluminium is metal, thus it cannot be scratched" I think you should think about it. That is your sole argument and it certainly shows how little you know about metals.

The thing is un-anodized aluminium is very, very soft. In order to give it at least some abrasion resistance it is often anodized. But the anodizing is usually very, very thin, and even though it gives it some resistance, it's still not hard or even considered to be "very" abrasion resiistant. In other words: Sand paper will easily make short work of the finish and sharp corners.

Wow! Just wow …

http://www.pixmix.us/files/3qgux0rmsq70nsxpl5n5.gif

I don't care how many "places" you claim to have found. The reality is that you have no clue about aluminium, nor have you ever done anything with aluminium and you really don't know jack about aluminium's properties.

You sound as if he manipulated your statement. He didn't. He took your claim and disagreed with it.

Again, what the hell are you on about? Again with the "Aluminium is metal, and thus it's very resistant to most anything". What a joke.

Tosser, I think your beating a dead horse! :rolleyes:

VSMacOne

Dec 13, 2008, 11:38 AM

I don't know how you guys type, but i NEVER have an issue with the edge... typing or using the trackpad NEVER hurts my hand or makes it uncomfortable..

IMO it' such a beautiful machine, why in the heck would you want to mess up a $1300/1600 laptop with SANDPAPER?!?!

That's craziness ... :eek:

mac jones

Dec 13, 2008, 12:16 PM

Please do not sand your Macbook

You probably should not sand down anything

better yet, stay away from sandpaper altogether. :D

danvan21

Dec 13, 2008, 12:38 PM

benlangdon

Dec 13, 2008, 12:44 PM

did not read all the posts
and will not

but someone said 400 grit.
that is way way way to low to sand metal,
get like a 900 or something similar.

400 would leave huge scratches

eluk

Dec 13, 2008, 01:15 PM

What the hell is your problem? Aluminum is not "soft". A soft metal is lead. Why is aluminum used to create super light car chassis? If it was soft it would bend. I tried to sand the back of my battery cover and nothing happend. You guys are so tight coming on to macforums to debate this. I wish i was as cool as you. Aluinum is a strong and light material and could be sanded down with really tough sand paper. Just grow up and go back to watching the National Geographic special on rocks.

I guess you must be using an aluminium shovel as you're digging yourself in so deep.

Aluminum is not "soft". - Yet it requires little effort to scribe a groove in it.

If it was soft it would bend. - It bends very easily as it is malleable.

It maybe a language thing, but over here sandpaper is used only on wood.

NC MacGuy

Dec 13, 2008, 01:24 PM

I guess you must be using an aluminium shovel as you're digging yourself in so deep.

Aluminum is not "soft". - Yet it requires little effort to scribe a groove in it.

If it was soft it would bend. - It bends very easily as it is malleable.

It maybe a language thing, but over here sandpaper is used only on wood.

For metal it's usually called emory or crocus cloth. I use it all the time. He will scab up the MB. No doubt in my pea sized brain on that one. And then yes, you will not be able to get an exchange should you ever need one because the case is "damaged."

I love this thread. ;)

dukebound85

Dec 13, 2008, 01:27 PM

What the hell is your problem? Aluminum is not "soft". A soft metal is lead. Why is aluminum used to create super light car chassis? If it was soft it would bend. I tried to sand the back of my battery cover and nothing happend. You guys are so tight coming on to macforums to debate this. I wish i was as cool as you. Aluinum is a strong and light material and could be sanded down with really tough sand paper. Just grow up and go back to watching the National Geographic special on rocks.

aluminum is relatively soft. oh and by the way, i can sand steel as well. i know as ive done it...many times lol

stop posting in this thread as you have no knowledge on metals or materials. that much is apparent:cool:

to everyone in this thread: dont take anything danvan21 says concerning metals as fact. i think he's just trolling to get everyone to waste their time correcting him

RedTomato

Dec 13, 2008, 02:22 PM

funny thread.

ask google

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=how+to+sand+aluminum

pictures of sanding down alu

http://www.instructables.com/id/SOR77TGF7PCRZVE/

Pic of someone in this thread testing the durability of spring-loaded aluminium clips:

http://www.crazy-jokes.com/pictures/idiot.jpg

danvan21

Dec 13, 2008, 02:57 PM

aluminum is relatively soft. oh and by the way, i can sand steel as well. i know as ive done it...many times lol

stop posting in this thread as you have no knowledge on metals or materials. that much is apparent:cool:

to everyone in this thread: dont take anything danvan21 says concerning metals as fact. i think he's just trolling to get everyone to waste their time correcting him

yea, im a troller trying to get people to correct me. Oh this is so much fun. Earth is the 2nd planet from the sun too and duke bound likes girls. Im just a lier, i know.

petermcphee

Dec 13, 2008, 05:14 PM

yea, im a troller trying to get people to correct me. Oh this is so much fun. Earth is the 2nd planet from the sun too and duke bound likes girls. Im just a lier, i know.

Liars know the idiocy they spread is false You think yours is true. Big difference there. You're not a liar, because you believe your own spew.

dukebound85

Dec 13, 2008, 05:17 PM

yea, im a troller trying to get people to correct me. Oh this is so much fun. Earth is the 2nd planet from the sun too and duke bound likes girls. Im just a lier, i know.

then how come is everyone in this thread that is pointing your "info" as flat out wrong

face it, you just dont know what youre talking about. its ok to be wrong but to keep insisting youre right when youre clearly not is childish

Earth is the 2nd planet from the sun

not different than your claim about aluminum. that being its wrong. whats sad is that you say that in jest but are serious on the aluminum and refuse to accept being corrected.

anyways op: yes you can sand it. however id use a fine grit to not have it rough

best of luck!