Abranet HD on a Rotex?

[Wuffles]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

In fact, if the sheets work just as well on my "still going, just about" Metabo sander I may even sell on the Rotex as the RO150 doesn't seem as useful as the RO90 - oooh controversial!

 

[Kev]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

In fact, if the sheets work just as well on my "still going, just about" Metabo sander I may even sell on the Rotex as the RO150 doesn't seem as useful as the RO90 - oooh controversial!

If you're not happy with it, sell it. Enjoy your Metabo.

Other people, including myself, get great results with the RO 150 ... Could it be that you're not using quite right? -- oooh ... more controversy.

 

[rvieceli]

If you try them, I'd suggest using a Mirka pad saver interface so you don't melt the hooks on the Rotex. The dealer you get the abrasive from should have a selection.

 

[Wuffles]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

In fact, if the sheets work just as well on my "still going, just about" Metabo sander I may even sell on the Rotex as the RO150 doesn't seem as useful as the RO90 - oooh controversial!

If you're not happy with it, sell it. Enjoy your Metabo.

Other people, including myself, get great results with the RO 150 ... Could it be that you're not using quite right? -- oooh ... more controversy.

Brilliant advice.

So anyway.

If you try them, I'd suggest using a Mirka pad saver interface so you don't melt the hooks on the Rotex. The dealer you get the abrasive from should have a selection.

Yes I did wonder whether that's worthwhile. The abranet sheets in general do seem to be a bit scratchier I've found, compared to the Granat equivalent grit anyway. I know it's a different type of abrasive.

I've managed to get rid of most of the lines with a cheapo P40 I found on the shelf, but using the scabby Metabo and then going up through the grits. I've also had great results before now with the Rotex, just not removing as I'd expect.

 

[CrazyLarry]

Have you tried Rubin2 instead? I find granat better at paint removal and rubin better at stock removal.

I re-milled a new surface to a badly warped green oak table a couple of months ago and finished with 40 through 300 with the R150 and it was super efficient. (Ths thing is HUGE) Don't want to teach you to suck eggs but ... you've tried the 1/2 extraction '3' speed approach?

 

[rvieceli]

Granat and Rubin 2 come in a P40 grit in 150mm. Over here you can get 10 and 50 packs

 

[Wuffles]

Have you tried Rubin2 instead? I find granat better at paint removal and rubin better at stock removal.

I re-milled a new surface to a badly warped green oak table a couple of months ago and finished with 40 through 300 with the R150 and it was super efficient. (Ths thing is HUGE) Don't want to teach you to suck eggs but ... you've tried the 1/2 extraction '3' speed approach?

I'm on half extraction(ish) most of the time, not sure about the 3 speed approach, but I've always done as shown in a few videos I've seen. Rotex, then ROS, move up a grit? The P60 I have tried wasn't making enough of a difference, it's very knotty though so might have been the problem.

I was more interested in the Abranet HD P40 because it's probably a lot more abrasive (by its nature, as I mentioned from experience) and then going up through the grits using Granat - only because I have it on the shelf and I've been impressed with the life of the Granat to date. The Abranet is cheaper sometimes and will fit easily onto both my 150mm sanders.

Basically I'm happy with everything after I've got it flat, comes up with a mirror finish. Make sense?

Granat and Rubin 2 come in a P40 grit in 150mm. Over here you can get 10 and 50 packs

Probably can here too, but sometimes they're not a stock item with my friendly neighbourhood shop. See above though, it's just the initial flatness I'm fighting.

Cheers both.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

To remove milling lines you really have to remove a LOT of wood - factually the entire surface of the board to the depth of the deepest cutting line.

That takes a lot of time, even with the Rotex. If the Rotex can't satisfy you for this, I sincerely doubt any other random orbit sander will because you will not find many random orbit sanders with the strength of the Rotex. Only a big and powerful belt sander will do it faster.

40 grit Rubin will work faster than Granat 60, but you will go through lots of paper.

A job like this is better left to a tool with a cutter instead of an abrasive.

 

[Wuffles]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

To remove milling lines you really have to remove a LOT of wood - factually the entire surface of the board to the depth of the deepst cutting line.

That takes a lot of time, even with the Rotex. If the Rotex can't satisfy you for this, I sincerely doubt any other random orbit sander will because you will not find many random orbit sanders with the strength of the Rotex. Only a big and powerful belt sander will do it faster.

40 grit Rubin will work faster than Granat 60, but you will go through lots of paper.

A job like this is better left to a tool with a cutter instead of an abrasive.

I can promise you Alex, these marks are barely able to be felt, they just look bad. I caused them whilst milling it on a jig, they're not deep like a band saw might leave, just microscopic tears in the wood. I know what you're thinking of though, that's the kind of thing I'd be using a milling bit in a router to get rid of. This was a do-over on a slab that's reacted badly to some varnish.

 

[Brent Taylor]

I have used the HD quite a bit with good results for rough in work, I do modify the disk to maximize the dust pick up.  The  backing doesn't hold up as well in rotex mode.

 

[Wuffles]

I have used the HD quite a bit with good results for rough in work, I do modify the disk to maximize the dust pick up.  The  backing doesn't hold up as well in rotex mode.

Modify as in put some extra holes in it? But good to hear. They look pretty substantial compared to the normal Abranet, is that about right?

 

[teocaf]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

To remove milling lines you really have to remove a LOT of wood - factually the entire surface of the board to the depth of the deepst cutting line.

That takes a lot of time, even with the Rotex. If the Rotex can't satisfy you for this, I sincerely doubt any other random orbit sander will because you will not find many random orbit sanders with the strength of the Rotex. Only a big and powerful belt sander will do it faster.

40 grit Rubin will work faster than Granat 60, but you will go through lots of paper.

A job like this is better left to a tool with a cutter instead of an abrasive.

I can promise you Alex, these marks are barely able to be felt, they just look bad. I caused them whilst milling it on a jig, they're not deep like a band saw might leave, just microscopic tears in the wood. I know what you're thinking of though, that's the kind of thing I'd be using a milling bit in a router to get rid of. This was a do-over on a slab that's reacted badly to some varnish.

Sounds like the perfect job for a scraper.  If you've never tried this method, it's very satisfying and if you set the hook on the edge right, it will yield excellent results, and it's simple and low cost.
Another great option is a 4 1/2 smoothing plane.

 

[Wuffles]

Anyone tried the Abranet HD gear? Been disappointed at the ability of the Rotex to remove milling lines from a slab I am working on using the 60 grit Granat papers so thought I might try some of the P40 Abranet HD sheets. The lines are very visible, and you can just about feel them if you know what I mean. Think it was caused by a blunt milling bit when I flattened the slab.

To remove milling lines you really have to remove a LOT of wood - factually the entire surface of the board to the depth of the deepst cutting line.

That takes a lot of time, even with the Rotex. If the Rotex can't satisfy you for this, I sincerely doubt any other random orbit sander will because you will not find many random orbit sanders with the strength of the Rotex. Only a big and powerful belt sander will do it faster.

40 grit Rubin will work faster than Granat 60, but you will go through lots of paper.

A job like this is better left to a tool with a cutter instead of an abrasive.

I can promise you Alex, these marks are barely able to be felt, they just look bad. I caused them whilst milling it on a jig, they're not deep like a band saw might leave, just microscopic tears in the wood. I know what you're thinking of though, that's the kind of thing I'd be using a milling bit in a router to get rid of. This was a do-over on a slab that's reacted badly to some varnish.

Sounds like the perfect job for a scraper.  If you've never tried this method, it's very satisfying and if you set the hook on the edge right, it will yield excellent results, and it's simple and low cost.
Another great option is a 4 1/2 smoothing plane.

Aww man! I bought a scraper just before Christmas and haven't used it yet.

Too late now though, I've put another coat of something on it to protect it. And it looks terrible. Having a bad Sunday.

 

[Wuffles]

I say too late, I can see me routering this all back again tomorrow night in the pursuit of something better than the awful mess I have created.

 

[jbasen]

If you are friendly with a local cabinet shop you might see if they will let you run your slab through their drum sander.  It would make quick work of cleaning things up.  If you've put more finish on the slab already then you will probably have to remove that yourself so you don't gum up the paper in their sander.

 

[CrazyLarry]

I say too late, I can see me routering this all back again tomorrow night in the pursuit of something better than the awful mess I have created.

Well if you're going to set up a tramell rig again you might want to get one of these:

http://www.trenddirectuk.com/4-96x1-2tc.html

Bit of a beast but my OF1400's taken over an inch off with it previously (in a number of passes) without so much as a stutter, you have to hang on and take it steady though!

 

[Wuffles]

I've got an Axcalibur one I use normally, think it's about 36 odd mm, and a shiny new CMT one that I probably should have used. It was a spur of the moment quick fix thing that's going to add up into a pain in the bottom  [smile]

That Trend looks like it might turn the Earth on its axis in the wrong hands!

If you are friendly with a local cabinet shop you might see if they will let you run your slab through their drum sander.  It would make quick work of cleaning things up.  If you've put more finish on the slab already then you will probably have to remove that yourself so you don't gum up the paper in their sander.

I'll route a mil off again and start over, carefully, as there's not much of it left to play with now.

 

[teocaf]

Looks like you'll get another shot at using your scraper.  You did not mention the wood you're working with.  Does it have a lot of figure?

The RO150 was my first festool sander and has been tremendous with whatever I have thrown at it over the years.  That's still not going to stop me from getting a Deros soon and couple it with the Abranet consumables, because I see it as a potentially good addition to my sander lineup.

 

[Wuffles]

Looks like you'll get another shot at using your scraper.  You did not mention the wood you're working with.  Does it have a lot of figure?

The RO150 was my first festool sander and has been tremendous with whatever I have thrown at it over the years.  That's still not going to stop me from getting a Deros soon and couple it with the Abranet consumables, because I see it as a potentially good addition to my sander lineup.

It's this one here http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/a-lump-of-wood-that-is-very-quickly-getting-thinner/

The varnish went a bit odd where there were still tiny holes in the resin, so I decided in a moment of madness to rip it back again with the same rig I used before. Wish I hadn't bothered. You can see the lines I'm talking about if you look closely at the first photo. In the later photos I've sanded them out quite easily - that time anyway. Not this time.

I'm getting some of the Abranet HD as I have a few slabs I need to get to work on in the coming months and want to be able to deal with this problem again - quickly.

 

[stvrowe]

I have no idea whether Abranet will work on the Rotex 150.  In my recent dresser build, I made a milling mistake and ended up sanding about 0.5mm off of the inside surface of large panels after discovering they stood proud (after glue-up of course).  I used 60 grit Cristal in my older model RO150 in aggressive mode to abrade the panel flush with the legs in very short order.  I then switched to Rubin paper and went all the way up to 180 grit switching to random orbit mode at 120 grit.  The total operation didn't take more than 45 minutes.  I have never used Granite in the RO150 but something seems amiss if it will not remove mill marks.