Hand Sanding Blocks w/ Dust Extraction are Available in North America

[peter halle]

Please note that although I said that I was happy with the performance of the Mirkas (which I think are the same although Festool's velcro type material might be a little different) I did not say that sanding drywall by hand is my favorite part of a job.  I will still use my ETS 150 as much of possible first and finish where needed by hand.  I would dread sanding all day with hand blocks of any brand.  One reason is that with the dust collection you need to find the spot in the reducing of the suction to where you are comfortable with the compromise between sanding effort and dust collection.  Pulling towards you is easier than pushing away.  Every time you lift the pad off of the surface you run the risk of losing a little dust.  You are tethered to a hose, so if you are doing ceilings you have a green tail wagging around.  

Pleas don't take this comments as things that I find negative.  They are just an inevitable.  I remember the days of sanding drywall and looking like a malnourished snowman.  These blocks are better than other dust collecting blocks I have used for drywall, but I will still bet that you will not have people standing in line willing to pay you to let them try them.

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

Generally, we try to avoid hand sanding, but sometimes it is the best approach.

This is our Compendium of Festool hand sanding options, including observations from using the extractable HSK.

 

[panelchat]

the mirka looks interesting, i wonder- can it plug directly into a festool vac?

 

[tbellemare]

Am I right that there is a 22mm hose (456745) available that would work well with these?

Seth

You're right about the hose, Seth.

Part #456745 is a 22mm x 3.5m hose. To my knowledge, we can't get it. I'll try to verify that.

The sanding blocks, at least as sold here, come with two adapters. One has a valve that can adjust the suction by opening a port to spill some vacuum. The other adapter is to bring it up to the size necessary for a 27mm hose connection.

Tom

Though it appeared that we couldn't get the 22mm hose mentioned by Seth, I have some on order and hope to get them next week. It should make using these sanding blocks more comfortable.

Tom

EDIT:
I also ordered various grits of the 80mm x 400mm Granat for the 496964 & 496965 and they should arrive at the same time.

 

[jacko9]

Tom,

I like the looks of these sanding blocks.  I sent you a PM to see if you can add to my back order.

Jack

 

[tbellemare]

'Got it, Jack...

Tom

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Am I right that there is a 22mm hose (456745) available that would work well with these?

Seth

You're right about the hose, Seth.

Part #456745 is a 22mm x 3.5m hose. To my knowledge, we can't get it. I'll try to verify that.

The sanding blocks, at least as sold here, come with two adapters. One has a valve that can adjust the suction by opening a port to spill some vacuum. The other adapter is to bring it up to the size necessary for a 27mm hose connection.

Tom

Though it appeared that we couldn't get the 22mm hose mentioned by Seth, I have some on order and hope to get them next week. It should make using these sanding blocks more comfortable.

Tom

EDIT:
I also ordered various grits of the 80mm x 400mm Granat for the 496964 & 496965 and they should arrive at the same time.

Are you saying you DO have a 22mm hose coming in?

I picked up the smallest sanding block in Europe two years ago, and I like using it.  esp. since I have an LS130 and RTS.

I found a cheapie adapter at Woodcraft that I cut down to attach my 27mm hose to the port, but it's clunky and makes it a bit back-end heavy.  I've read that the 22mm hose is much for flexible and lightweight.  So I'd be interested if you'll be selling them.

 

[tbellemare]

I do have some 22mm hoses coming. As Seth pointed out, the number is 456745. I expect them toward the end of the week since Monday is a holiday.

Tom

 

[Saskataper]

Any idea how i can get these in Canada?

Or, get the Mirka Abranet Hand sanding kit from Wood Essence in Saskatoon.
Tim

Thanks a lot! I went to wood essence this morning and picked up 2 different sizes of blocks, a 22mm hose with a tapered adaptor that allows it to connect either straight to the vac or on the end of my 36mm hose, and a roll of 240 abranet all for $101!

 

[tiralie]

Thanks a lot! I went to wood essence this morning and picked up 2 different sizes of blocks, a 22mm hose with a tapered adaptor that allows it to connect either straight to the vac or on the end of my 36mm hose, and a roll of 240 abranet all for $101!

Good to hear. Should have had you say hi to Jeff for me.

Tim

 

[peter halle]

It is amazing that someone had that all in stock at the same time.  Let us know how the 240 grit works.  I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up going coarser in the future if you are happy how this system overall works.

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

Any idea how i can get these in Canada?

Or, get the Mirka Abranet Hand sanding kit from Wood Essence in Saskatoon.
Tim

Thanks a lot! I went to wood essence this morning and picked up 2 different sizes of blocks, a 22mm hose with a tapered adaptor that allows it to connect either straight to the vac or on the end of my 36mm hose, and a roll of 240 abranet all for $101!

I've thought about picking up one of these kits but never did.  Someone gave one of the small Abranet Hand blocks.  It works okay with the D27 hose but I'd rather have a smaller hose that fits properly.  Also, this kit is far better value than these Festool sanders. 

 

[leakyroof]

Any idea how i can get these in Canada?

Or, get the Mirka Abranet Hand sanding kit from Wood Essence in Saskatoon.
Tim

Thanks a lot! I went to wood essence this morning and picked up 2 different sizes of blocks, a 22mm hose with a tapered adaptor that allows it to connect either straight to the vac or on the end of my 36mm hose, and a roll of 240 abranet all for $101!

I've thought about picking up one of these kits but never did.  Someone gave one of the small Abranet Hand blocks.  It works okay with the D27 hose but I'd rather have a smaller hose that fits properly.  Also, this kit is far better value than these Festool sanders.   

. I've used my Mirka Hand Block with a Fein Vacuum Hose Adapter that mates the stock 27mm hose to the Mirka block. My only knock on Abranet, and it's totally minor, is that it's easy to get a small corner or spot on the edge of a sheet to lift off the block and not stay flat. It will interesting to see how all the Festool parts/hoses work out against my current set-up once my ordered items make it in.

 

[tbellemare]

What papers do these use?

496962, 80mm x 130mm, uses the same abrasives as the LS 130 or the RTS 400, the 80mm x 133mm sizes.

496963, 115mm x 226mm, uses the same abrasives as the RS 2, the 115mm x 300mm sizes.

There's some abrasives that measure 80mm x 400mm and I'm guessing that is what the other two would use. 496964 is 80mm x 400mm and 496965 is 80mm x 200mm. They both have the same hole pattern, which is different than any I've seen so far.

I'm glad you asked, Paul G, I was stupidly assuming that those two used the 80mm x 133mm abrasives but the hole pattern is different. I'll get some of the 80mm x 400mm sizes to verify and report back...

Tom

I got some 80mm x 400mm Granat in a little while ago and it is definitely the paper for the 496964 and 496965 mentioned above. It even has a perforation in the middle for use with the 496965 tool-less.

I also got some 22mm antistatic hoses. They come with a straight-in or 90-degree fitting for the CT end.

Tom