Sanding sharp disc edges: Good Idea or Big No-No?

[evansr10]

Hello everybody. I've always wondered this: Can I sand the sharp edges on my sturdier plastics to prevent blisters and cuts? Does it affect flight characteristics at all? and is it even legal? I throw RHFH and I'm tired of getting little cuts on the base of my index finger whenever I throw.

 

[skurf]

Try Quest discs or a Quarter K. Those are the only discs I've come across that don't have that sharp inside rim angle, but there could be others.

 

[compn]

i think people recommend grinding it on some very level pavement/concrete since its hard to sandpaper it off evenly. and from what i've heard, its legal

 

[The Bird Man]

I sand those down, and I don't think it affects the flight much. If anything it would make it just a tad bit less stable.

 

[leppard]

http://www.pdga.com/rules/80201-discs-used-in-play

"C. Players may not make post-production modification of discs which alter their original flight characteristics. This rule does not forbid inevitable wear and tear from usage during play or the moderate sanding of discs to smooth molding imperfections or scrape marks. Discs excessively sanded or painted with a material of detectable thickness are illegal."

I think sanding flashing and other mold imperfections is acceptable.

 

[Terry C]

"C. Players may not make post-production modification of discs which alter their original flight characteristics. This rule does not forbid inevitable wear and tear from usage during play or the moderate sanding of discs to smooth molding imperfections or scrape marks. Discs excessively sanded or painted with a material of detectable thickness are illegal."

This has always confused me a little bit. Where is the line where the disc becomes illegal from oversanding. This seems totally objective to the person who did the sanding. The rule is kind of unclear on this issue.

 

[jkdisc]

who checks these so closely?

 

[leppard]

Yea, when does it become excessive? I guess it is left to the TD to answer when someone asks if a disc is legal.

 

[toothyfish]

I sand down sharp edges that are due to mold parting lines. Usually, these are on the edge of the wind and occasionally on the bead underneath. Kissing a sharp edge with sand paper I doubt will land you in disc golf jail.

If you're careful, the flashing comes off nicely with a sharp utility knife scraped over it. Then touch up with some sand paper to smooth it out. 2 rounds in the woods and you'll never know it was sanded. It's not like you are trying to remove half of the bead or part of the wing, just making it a bit more comfortable to grip.

 

[JMONEY]

Rubbing them on carpet gets the little left over plastic from under the innova molds. As far as nicks on the outer edge a bic lighter works well

 

[Jacob]

skip them off the asphalt. XDs come with sharp rims and I just skip them down a parking lot a couple of times.

 

[Waddly Hobbins]

I just get callouses...

 

[mashnut]

I've definitely done some light sanding to fix nicks in the rim or sharp flashing. As long as you're not changing the shape of the disc, you're fine.

 

[solomon.trenton]

they dont want you to turn a boss into an epic by sanding. whats what excessive means.

 

[sonny]

they dont want you to turn a boss into an epic by sanding. whats what excessive means.

I can understand "excessive" and think the intent of the rule is pretty clear. And the rule isn't a problem for me. I've sometimes thought about sanding dinged up rims, but haven't actually ever done it.

But why should we care if a player decides to sand the wing of one of his discs into a new shape? What's the problem with it? If someone learned you could sand the first few centimeters of a TL flat and turn it into a nice stable long range bomber, well so what? It's not like other players couldn't learn to do the same.

I say repeal the no sanding rule and let anyone who wants to be a disc designer have at it.

And while we're at it, does anyone really think adding a sticker to your disc gives it any sort of advantage? Why should painting on a disc be illegal?

 

[Terry C]

"And while we're at it, does anyone really think adding a sticker to your disc gives it any sort of advantage? Why should painting on a disc be illegal?"

I think just like with a small weight on the wheel of your car, the sticker could balance the disc out or change the stability ever so slightly. It wouldn't do a whole lot but it definitely would effect flight a tiny bit. Absolutely fine for non-sanctioned get togethers, but for a professional level tournament its not alright.

 

[smyith]

well i use sand paper to get the larger chunks off but ofr the most part i let it happen naturally. innova is the worst with the flashing. discraft isnt bad since their flashing isnt at the grip point. some carpet works well and some dont. you could also use a lighter or candle...however be very careful as it can good bad easily so make sure you got the technique down with a S#$% disc.

 

[craftsman]

Out of the 100+ discraft Ive purchased- not one has had flashing. Do they just send the crap out of state?

 

[sonny]

I think just like with a small weight on the wheel of your car, the sticker could balance the disc out or change the stability ever so slightly. It wouldn't do a whole lot but it definitely would effect flight a tiny bit. Absolutely fine for non-sanctioned get togethers, but for a professional level tournament its not alright.

I understand the rule. I'm questioning whether the rule has any actual value. There's no rule saying I have to clean dirt of my disc (although I do) and wouldn't you expect dirt could "balance the disc out or change the stability" too? I imagine someone could add enough stickers or paint a thick enough layer to push a disc over its legal weight limit, but there are weight limit rules (if they were enforced).

I can accept rules to prevent a player having an unfair advantage. But if everyone was allowed to sand a disc to the shape they like or add a thumb-track sticker or whatever, where is the unfair advantage? I'm no expert on aerodynamics, but my layman's opinion is that stickers or paint on a disc would be more likely than not to have a negative effect on disc flight.

I've never really looked at legal disc specifications, so maybe it's easily possible for someone to sand a disc into an illegal shape. Barring that; I don't see why sanding a disc, even excessively, should be illegal.

 

[compn]

ok, now i'm interested. what illegal aftermarket tricks are there to add to or remove from your disc to make it go farther, fly straighter or home-in to the basket? can you hollow out a disc and make it into a heavy aerobie ? hahaha

if someone can throw a paper plate better than i can throw a disc... she/he deserves to win!