Abrasive Frustration!

[Daviddubya]

I am a tad late to this party, but dealers can break up the sandpapers boxes any way they wish, I do....
Bob

Bob sold customized assortments of abrasives to me on several occasions.  Another dealer, several years ago, did the same.  Thanks Bob.

 

[Brice Burrell]

What would be nice would be an assorted pack of Platin, maybe 2 or 3 of each grit. That would end up being in the price point of a single box of Platin.  They could do the same with some of the other abrasives. This would certainly be a more economical way for those hobbyists among us to make full use of our sanders.

Charles

Charles, I'm liking the assortment pack idea, especially the Platin pack. I happened to noticed what looked like large 300 piece packs in a European brochure. That would be nice in the most common grits like 80-120 Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2. 

 

[tbellemare]

If you want special packs of abrasives, please just ask...

I prefer to talk to customers to ensure that they are ordering what they really want or need.

Tom

 

[John Langevin]

I, too have felt the frustration as you all have. It can really leave a bad taste in your mouth. I bought a Rotex 150 (my first Festool sander) to refinish a 12' long conference table; i.e. remove the finish, sand the bare wood and then sand/polish out the lacquer finish. I had to spend about $200 just to do one job and I certainly couldn't ask my client to eat the cost.

I would like to see smaller, more uniform quantities available (or at least quantities that make sense for the type and grit). What I would really like to see are assorted "Project Packs" that would allow you to refinish a coffee table without buying 12 packs of sandpaper. Project Packs could be tailored to Autobody, solid countertops or whatever.

I think Festool is really hurting their sander/abrasives sales with their current policy. I also think that when you buy a $200 - 400 sander you should get some sort of "starter pack" so you could at least try the tool on a project without having to double your initial investment just in abrasives.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I think Festool is really hurting their sander/abrasives sales with their current policy. I also think that when you buy a $200 - 400 sander you should get some sort of "starter pack" so you could at least try the tool on a project without having to double your initial investment just in abrasives.

They used to do this with some of the sanders, maybe they still do. They were small packs and really didn't give you a good feel for the abrasives, a larger starter pack might be a good idea.

 

[tbellemare]

you should get some sort of "starter pack"

They used to do this with some of the sanders

The Rotex 150 & Rotex 125 still do.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

How about we start giving some feedback on what kind of variety or starter packs we'd like to see. Maybe Festool or dealers can put together special "FOG" packs just for us.

Here are some of my thoughts:

• Three pads each of 1000, 2000 and 4000 grit Platin packs.
• Grit assortment packs, 5 or 10 each of 60-220 in the more common abrasives, Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2.
• Contractor grit assortment packs, 25 each of 60-220 in the more common abrasives, Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2.
• 25 and/or 50 packs in all grits in Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2 for all sanders.
• Large sample pack, one each of all grits in the following abrasives: Cristal, Rubin, Saphir, Brilliant2, Platin and Vlies. (this would likely only be possible in 125 mm and 150 mm abrasives.

 

These are just some ideas, what do you think?

 

[Aegwyn11]

How about we start giving some feedback on what kind of variety or starter packs we'd like to see. Maybe Festool or dealers can put together special "FOG" packs just for us.

Here are some of my thoughts:

• Three pads each of 1000, 2000 and 4000 grit Platin packs.
• Grit assortment packs, 5 or 10 each of 60-220 in the more common abrasives, Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2.
• Contractor grit assortment packs, 25 each of 60-220 in the more common abrasives, Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2.
• 25 and/or 50 packs in all grits in Cristal, Rubin and Brilliant2 for all sanders.
• Large sample pack, one each of all grits in the following abrasives: Cristal, Rubin, Saphir, Brilliant2, Platin and Vlies. (this would likely only be possible in 125 mm and 150 mm abrasives.

 

These are just some ideas, what do you think?

I like all these ideas. Only thing I would say is that I would think on the large sample packs, you would want at least two of all the "normal" papers (all except Platin and Vlies). Also don't forget about Titan...I know most of us woodworkers don't use it, but it would be really good in the right situation.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I like all these ideas. Only thing I would say is that I would think on the large sample packs, you would want at least two of all the "normal" papers (all except Platin and Vlies). Also don't forget about Titan...I know most of us woodworkers don't use it, but it would be really good in the right situation.

I thought about including Titan in my wish list but decided against it since it's not a wood working abrasive. I was trying to be practical, after all Titan comes in 17 different grits. So how about Titan having its own assortment pack, 5 sheets each grit.  

And you're right, you'd want 2 each in a large sample pack.

 

[tbellemare]

Is this a good start?

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

Is this a good start?

Tom

Yes it is Tom. Thanks.

 

[Aegwyn11]

Is this a good start?

Tom

Helluva a good start!

 

[tbellemare]

Here's one for bare wood.

Tom

BTW: If you incur any shipping or handling charges on a Festool or Stabila order, I reverse them before processing the order.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Here's one for bare wood.

Tom

BTW: If you incur any shipping or handling charges on a Festool or Stabila order, I reverse them before processing the order.

Tom, I'm liking your efforts here, I'd like to see more. Any other dealers want to get in on this?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Here's one for bare wood.

"It also contains 10 each of 5 popular Brilliant 2 grades in 150 mm diameter format - P180, P220, P240, P320, P400"

I like this one. One of the bad choices Festool makes is that they only provide large packs of the higher grits, and not 10 packs. Now, I don't use the high grits a lot, so when I do need some, such a large pack is not an option.

This basically means high grits are off limits for me as far as Festool is concerned. So as far as I'm concerned, I resort to buying them from somebody else.

You got the right idea here Tom. Good to see you anticipate on the ideas presented here.

 

[tbellemare]

This one's for someone that wants to cut through just about anything without thinking about what type of abrasive they're using...

It's an assortment of Cristal.

Tom

 

[Bob Marino]

Tom, I'm liking your efforts here, I'd like to see more. Any other dealers want to get in on this?

 Brice

Sure do Brice, been breaking up sandpaper packs for years (except Titan paper, which is generally something the pro's use and need the large quantities), just haven't gotten around assigning  skew numbers to any of them, as customers just call and ask for different individual grits. I just take the box price, divide by the number of sheets in the box; use that price to get a per sheet price. I do like the idea of a "woodworkers'" package, "solid surface" package etc. though.
 I do like Festool's idea of the 10 packs, just wish they had the 10 packs in the complete range of grits, in all the series of papers - not just the Cristal; I think that would go a looooooooooooooooooooooong way in relieving this  (justified) "abrasive frustration".

Bob

 

[tbellemare]

been breaking up sandpaper packs for 2 years (except Titan paper, which is generally something the pro's use and need the large quantities), just haven't gotten around assigning  skew numbers to any of them

'Same here, Bob. I accomodate needs but have never formalized it until what you see above.

Tom

 

[peter halle]

When I bought my Rotex and the CT-22 my wife asked what the price was.  I told her.  Placed the order and then told her that I forgot to order the sandpaper.  "You know you just can't pick it up at Lowe's if you run out."

She saw the credit card statement and blew a gasket.  I had bought large packs (mainly 100's) of at least 12 grits (all the slots are filled in the 2 systainers I also ordered with different papers.  "But honey, they work out so much cheaper this way."  If something happens to me look for a good deal on Ebay.

Sorry, Bob.  That was before I started buying from you.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I must be sick, because I actually enjoy having a butt-load of sandpaper. [cool]

When I run out of one, or I need something different, I just buy a box.

I can anticipate the amount of paper I will need for a job, so it gets accounted for in the material costs.  Could also add it to one's overhead as well.

I see small packages being handy for hobby work but, I am not sure if Festool thinks that way when they package sandpaper.

Sandpaper is a rapid use consumable in my opinion.