Cristal or Saphir for stripping?

live4ever

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I know both of these are excellent for stripping, and that Cristal is open coat vs Saphir's semi-closed, but could someone translate that into real-world application differences between the two?
 
Cristal has a lighter backing paper so it is less durable than Saphir which I believe has a fabric backing.  Saphir's fabric backing and the well bonded abrasive "grit" will hold up much better than paper backed abrasives.  Saphir is more suitable for the toughest of sanding jobs due to it's price.  Cristal is for tough jobs that might load the abrasive with melted paint or other materials that can melt when sanding.  The lower cost per sheet allows you to throw away loaded up discs and not break the bank.

The open/semi-closed refers to the amount of the top bonding coat used.  The open coat has a little less coating on top of the abrasive giving the surface higher peaks between abrasive particles.  The semi-closed coat has more coating giving the abrasive a flatter surface, with the top bonding coat filling in some of the space between grit particles.  The open coat can cut faster but is a little less durable, semi-closed, less cutting action but more durable.     
 
live4ever said:
I know both of these are excellent for stripping, and that Cristal is open coat vs Saphir's semi-closed, but could someone translate that into real-world application differences between the two?
Cristal has been discontinued so only old stocks are still around at dealers.
That could bite you in the a/)... If you really liked it ..
 
leakyroof said:
live4ever said:
I know both of these are excellent for stripping, and that Cristal is open coat vs Saphir's semi-closed, but could someone translate that into real-world application differences between the two?
Cristal has been discontinued so only old stocks are still around at dealers.
That could bite you in the a/)... If you really liked it ..

Ack, I didn't realize Cristal was discontinued.  I really like it but haven't used Saphir.  I should try to find some old stock of Cristal I guess.
 
[member=4961]liv4evr[/member], if you want Cristal, we have it for 30% off in select sizes, while supplies last.

Saphir is a great option if you have heavy duty application, the stuff is tough as nails. But, more expensive.

Shane
 
Shane Holland said:
[member=4961]liv4evr[/member], if you want Cristal, we have it for 30% off in select sizes, while supplies last.

Saphir is a great option if you have heavy duty application, the stuff is tough as nails. But, more expensive.

Shane

Thanks Shane!  Is that all the Cristal you guys have in stock or just the stuff that's 30% off?  Because I'm able to select other packs (e.g. 150mm 100pk for $52) from the sandpaper selector thingamajig on your website. 

Still getting used to seeing you here in a different capacity...  [huh]
 
live4ever said:
Thanks Shane!  Is that all the Cristal you guys have in stock or just the stuff that's 30% off?  Because I'm able to select other packs (e.g. 150mm 100pk for $52) from the sandpaper selector thingamajig on your website. 

Still getting used to seeing you here in a different capacity...  [huh]

Everything you see on that link is what we have left and all of the Cristal we have left is 30% off. It's better to just go to the page below to browse the Cristal selection we have versus using the abrasives search page.

http://www.festoolproducts.com/30-Off-Festool-Cristal-Abrasives-s/384.htm

And, I'm still getting used to my seeing my new signature and email address.  [tongue] But, glad to be a part of the Tool Nut team. Another great company, just like Festool USA. I've been very blessed to work for some great companies and with some phenomenal people.

Shane
 
Shane Holland said:
live4ever said:
Thanks Shane!  Is that all the Cristal you guys have in stock or just the stuff that's 30% off?  Because I'm able to select other packs (e.g. 150mm 100pk for $52) from the sandpaper selector thingamajig on your website. 

Still getting used to seeing you here in a different capacity...  [huh]

Everything you see on that link is what we have left and all of the Cristal we have left is 30% off. It's better to just go to the page below to browse the Cristal selection we have versus using the abrasives search page.

http://www.festoolproducts.com/30-Off-Festool-Cristal-Abrasives-s/384.htm

And, I'm still getting used to my seeing my new signature and email address.  [tongue] But, glad to be a part of the Tool Nut team. Another great company, just like Festool USA. I've been very blessed to work for some great companies and with some phenomenal people.

Shane

Just a side note, because of all your helpfulness on this forum, when I finally save up enough for an RO90 I'll buy it from Tool Nut. Well, that, and no WA state sales tax :)
 
Mort said:
Just a side note, because of all your helpfulness on this forum, when I finally save up enough for an RO90 I'll buy it from Tool Nut. Well, that, and no WA state sales tax :)

Thank you, sir!  [thumbs up]

Always glad to help.

Shane
 
live4ever said:
I know both of these are excellent for stripping, and that Cristal is open coat vs Saphir's semi-closed, but could someone translate that into real-world application differences between the two?

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Saphir self destructs if you touch any embedded nails/staples. Once you hit one, you'll know, because you'll be showered in abrasive media.
 
sae said:
live4ever said:
I know both of these are excellent for stripping, and that Cristal is open coat vs Saphir's semi-closed, but could someone translate that into real-world application differences between the two?

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Saphir self destructs if you touch any embedded nails/staples. Once you hit one, you'll know, because you'll be showered in abrasive media.
  Really?  While I haven't really hit anything that would tear it up, I would have hoped that the different backing on Saphir was more rugged as compared to paper backing. Thanks for the info..... [blink]
 
sae said:
live4ever said:
I know both of these are excellent for stripping, and that Cristal is open coat vs Saphir's semi-closed, but could someone translate that into real-world application differences between the two?

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Saphir self destructs if you touch any embedded nails/staples. Once you hit one, you'll know, because you'll be showered in abrasive media.

Wait, did you mean Cristal?
 
No, I did not. I have not used Cristal so I can't say how well it works.

The Saphir fabric backing is one of the toughest I've seen, you'll just have nothing left on the backing.
 
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