5" Sandpaper Alternatives

[Brent]

Hi Guys,

I'm wondering if anyone here uses paper other than Festool on their Festool 5" sanders. Dealing with the Festool dealer here in Montreal is a pia and USA Festool retailers aren't allowed to ship to Canada.

 

[rmcabot]

Hi Brent

We have used the Klingspor 5" and 6" discs on our Festool sanders and found them to be very good. However, the vast majority of our sanding paper is still Festool as it is easier to acquire in our area. Note that their paper does "contain" Aluminum Stearate.  See page 21 of their most recent catalog or go online at www.woodworkingshop.com. Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Rick Cabot
Maine

 

[Michael Kellough]

Hi Brent

We have used the Klingspor 5" and 6" discs on our Festool sanders and found them to be very good. However, the vast majority of our sanding paper is still Festool as it is easier to acquire in our area. Note that their paper does "contain" Aluminum Stearate.  See page 21 of their most recent catalog or go online at www.woodworkingshop.com. Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Rick Cabot
Maine

It's most likely zinc stearate.

 

[Brent]

Thanks guys, it seems Klingspor is the answer. Pardon my ignorance, but why would it make a difference if it contains Aluminum Stearate or Zinc Stearate?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I don't think aluminum stearate is used on abrasives. Zinc stearate is used on abrasives intended for sanding finishes as it helps prevent loading of the abrasive.

The reason to beware of it's presence is that it can cause fisheyes and other adhesion problems if you later apply a water based finish.

If you think your wood may be "contaminated" with zinc stearate and you want to use WB finish just apply a first coat of shellac. Target even makes a WB shellac that does the job.

 

[Overtime]

I use Mirka but I don't have a Festool sander    still waiting for my PC Quicksand to die - gonna be a while since I just replaced the pad.

So I don't know if the hole pattern is the same but probably close. You will have to punch a hole in the center of each to gain the most from the vac. But it's a good product and I would think you'd be able to get it in your area.

Mirka

 

[Brent]

I don't think aluminum stearate is used on abrasives. Zinc stearate is used on abrasives intended for sanding finishes as it helps prevent loading of the abrasive.

The reason to beware of it's presence is that it can cause fisheyes and other adhesion problems if you later apply a water based finish.

If you think your wood may be "contaminated" with zinc stearate and you want to use WB finish just apply a first coat of shellac. Target even makes a WB shellac that does the job.

Thanks Mike, who'a thought they'd make sandpaper that would interfere with finishing. I noticed the make another disc with no zinc stearate in it, but a bit more expensive.

Thanks for the heads up on Mirka Patrick.

 

[woody]

check out Mirka's Abrinet, its what i use almost all of the time, and it allows for more dust extraction especially with the finer grits

 

[Brent]

Thanks Woody.

 

[Chris Hughes]

Noy for nothing, but when I was getting certified on solid surface the instructor had a ro 150 and was using 3M micron sheets.  I have not had any luck trying to find the same paper in 125mm.  I've used the Abrinet product to sand up solid surface.  You need an interface pad on sander to protect your hook and loop.  C Hughes

 

[Brent]

Thanks Chris,

I was just coming on to ask that very question. Another question...does the interface pad interfere with dust collection?