Festool hand sanding

[Jon160290]

Hi, although ive been following this forum for a while this is my first post.
I am after the new granat hand sanding blocks/sponges (mainly the combiblock) but cannot find in the UK. Have emailed festool who say they are availiable but they dont know from where! Can anybody reccomend a uk stockist? 
Many thanks
Jon

 

[Holmz]

There is a also the Mirka block and the adbranet screens for it, which are the same idea.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mirka-Handy-Sanding-Block-Sander/dp/B00828L7JA
And a few sizes...http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autopaints-Brighton-Mirka-SANDING-115x230/dp/B00MGKOU12

Once you use the screens it gets addictive as they are good... and they hook up to a Festool vacuum.

 

[DB10]

[member=40772]Holmz[/member]  I've got some Mirka abranet for me to try out, it's winding it's way down under to me, but do you know of anywhere in Aus where this can be purchased? Thanks.

 

[Holmz]

PM sent.

Usually things like Zobo bits, and 8-mm router bits are 1/2 price in the old country... So I keep a list going and get a batch when I have enough to warrant the shipping.

Or I fill a tool purchase with some small stuff to bring the cost up.

Otherwise amazon or some online Mirka . I just got 2 (mellow) yellow Systainers to keep all the related screens in.  8)

 

[DB10]

Thanks Holmz, As it happens I will be travelling over to the UK next month. So I will  bring some Abranet back with me but if its addictive as people say I might need a steady supply.
  I've been trying to think what else is much cheaper to buy in the UK Festool / Woodworking accessories that I can bring back here with me, bearing in mind the low Ausie dollar things aren't as cheap back in the UK now.

 

[Holmz]

Thanks Holmz, As it happens I will be travelling over to the UK next month. So I will  bring some Abranet back with me but if its addictive as people say I might need a steady supply.
  I've been trying to think what else is much cheaper to buy in the UK Festool / Woodworking accessories that I can bring back here with me, bearing in mind the low Aussie dollar things aren't as cheap back in the UK now.

I got some Rubin papers and another one that I cannot remember in the courser grits to try out.
Just need to get stuck into it, and I need to find out if I lost the papers in San Diego or if they are still in the luggage. Or maybe I put them away in a jet-lag stupor??

I would suggest that you start with what you use most, for me that is 180 (+ 120 & 240).
Or course I got some 60, 80, 1000 and 2000, so it totally depends on what you are doing... Slabs, Veneer, or normal stuff in between...

Once you do the maths on the cost in the UK, you will probably realise that the 19% VAT, as opposed to 50-Eu shipping... means that you can be better off having it shipped. And usually out of 'Europe proper' I have found easier than out of the UK.

The cons:
- More work to navigate the websites.
- Time to ship (5 weeks +/- 1)
- Need to be mindful of the limits for GST and duty.

 

[Cheese]

Time to ship (5 weeks +/- 1)

While not exactly comparing apples to apples...per se...FWIW...I've ordered several times from the Oz and I received stainless HVAC products within 10-14 days and I didn't pay for expedited shipping. [huh]

On another note...the Abranet stuff in the coarse grits is fantastic. Always been a fan/consumer of Granat but the Abranet seems to keep its edge a lot longer. It's certainly not any cheaper than Granat, it actually maybe more expensive (can't remember) but it sure does last a long time.

 

[DB10]

Time to ship (5 weeks +/- 1)

While not exactly comparing apples to apples...per se...FWIW...I've ordered several times from the Oz and I received stainless HVAC products within 10-14 days and I didn't pay for expedited shipping. [huh]

On another note...the Abranet stuff in the coarse grits is fantastic. Always been a fan/consumer of Granat but the Abranet seems to keep its edge a lot longer. It's certainly not any cheaper than Granat, it actually maybe more expensive (can't remember) but it sure does last a long time.

  That's all good to know, Granat has always been my favourite paper from Festool too.
I gota feeling I'm really going to like the Abranet even before I've tried it, just wish it was easier to get hold of locally.

 

[Cheese]

That's all good to know, Granat has always been my favourite paper from Festool too.
I gota feeling I'm really going to like the Abranet even before I've tried it, just wish it was easier to get hold of locally.

I first tried Abranet about 3-4 years ago on the ETS 125. I think it was either 240 or 320 grit...I wasn't impressed at all so I went back to Granat/Rubin paper.

Recently though, I picked up some 100 grit Abranet and decided to use it on the ETS EC 125, pretty impressed. Then I placed the same sheet on the 125 Rotex and did quite a lot of grinding on some 2X header materials. After 10-15 minutes the Abranet was still sharp to the touch.

I don't know if the fine vs coarse grits made that much of a difference or if they've changed the formulation/bond/grit material, but the new stuff works very well.