Festool sandpaper

[donnenwerth woodworking]

Looking for input on what type of festool sand paper everyone uses.  Typically would be with a conversion varnish finish, which which will show some swirls through at least the first 2 coats.  Also what grit do you guys usually finish with?

Thanks,

Pat

 

[leakyroof]

Many commercial users will only stock Granat since it allows them a Do-It-All of sorts abrasive versus stocking Rubin for raw/bare wood, Saphir for rough sanding, and Granat or formerly Brilliant 2 for Paints, Film/Clear finishes.
You can also use Platin for sanding up a clear finish in its high grit levels.
For Granat, and Varnish, I would go no lower than 320, probably trying to use 400 most of the time for sanding between coats unless I use the foam-backed rolls of Granat paper that I think go to 500 or so.
I also use the heck out of Abranet from Mirka for between coat sanding, with that abrasive, I can use 600 grit and really not worry about scratches being seen with the next coat of varnish layer

 

[monstrol]

I love me some Granat....

 

[Holmz]

Looking for input on what type of festool sand paper everyone uses.
...

Depends on the item.
Since they repackage other manufactures paper, then you could just skip the middle man?

Really any paper works. And the Mirka screens seem to work with any brand's specific hole pattern. However for the really low grit I find the papers seem to be durable.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Looking for input on what type of festool sand paper everyone uses.
...

Depends on the item.
Since they repackage other manufactures paper, then you could just skip the middle man?

Really any paper works. And the Mirka screens seem to work with any brand's specific hole pattern. However for the really low grit I find the papers seem to be durable.

Does Festool make their own paper or is it rebranded from another company?

 

[Holmz]

I dunno...
http://festoolownersgroup.com/finishing/mirka-abralon/msg463003/#msg463003

I have and use both. They are identical and unless things have changed over the years Mirka makes sandpaper for Festool. We use to have a member who's father was connected to Mirka and relayed the connection. I don't know if he's still active, its been about six years since I've seen him post. Not much dust collection through the foam back but at the higher grits 800P to 4000P in my experience there is not much dust. Its fun to start with a raw piece of wood and go up through the grits to 4000P. You can get an amazing shine with no polishing paste needed.

John

Kingspor seems like another likely possibility.

it seems easier to outsource it and have it made to their specifications.
It is not like any of the papers have magic qualities, other than the right grit #, right type of grit material, anti-clog, and right paper backing... And Kingsport, Mirka and 3M make a lot of papers.