American vs. European abrasive standards

[ear3]

One thing I've never been clear on, is whether the Festool paper sold in the US is made using the American grit standards, or whether they stick with the European.  For reference, here's a conversion table:
http://www.mibnet.se/home-improveme...arison-between-european-and-us-standards.html

I realize there's not a huge difference in the lower range (though there is at the upper ranges), but I ran into a situation the other day where I ran out of 150grit Granat, and only had some American paper lying around, and was hesitant about using it halfway through a project.

EDIT: I think I may have answered my own question, since American paper doesn't typically go above 1000, but the Granat range goes to 1500, meaning it must be European standard.  But I'm still curious to hear anyone's experience moving back and forth between European and American standards.

 

[Cheese]

Edward, because Festool always labels their abrasives with the "P" designation before the grit number, I always assumed that they adhered to the Euro standard.

 

[rvieceli]

what he said. [wink]

since the grits have a P in front of the number they use the FEPA system

Here's another chart.
http://www.fingerlakeswoodturners.com/downloads/Sand Paper Grit Comparison.pdf

 

[Acrobat]

Well, you learn something new everyday. I never knew there were differences in grit standards around the world. Thought they were all the same. Been using whatever I can get all my life and assumed 400 was 400 etc. Looking at that chart doesn't seem to much difference until you get to the real high grits which I've never used anyway til now. Typically stop at anything from 22-320 or even 400, but I did try a 500 and 800 the other day.

 

[ear3]

Well, just re-upped my supply of 150mm 150 grit granat, so I won't have to deal with this problem again soon.

 

[Cheese]

[member=3192]rvieceli[/member]
Thanks for the chart Ron. First because it correlates Scotch Brite pads to grit size, and secondly because I just realized that 3M Wetordry in fresh 400 grit is equal to P700.  [eek]

I've always wet sanded car/motorcycle painted parts with well used 400 paper and was happy with the results. Now I realize that a piece of well used 400 is probably equivalent to P1200 or so.  [cool]

 

[blaszcsj]

This was a great read. I learned something today. Thanks for that!

 

[rvieceli]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] guess it depends on what you buy  [smile] cause my 3M wetordry says P400

Ron

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] guess it depends on what you buy  [smile] cause my 3M wetordry says P400

Well that's interesting, here's mine.  [tongue]

 

[junk731]

I find it quite interesting that some of the older members have not run across the multiple discussions on sandpaper grit sizing and NA vs Euro. Since 2008 I remember this coming up at least once a year.

John

 

[rvieceli]

Here's mine:  [eek]

 

[Cheese]

Ah...I figured it out, mine is just old school like me... [cool]