I'm considering a hand sanding block with dust extraction. The cost of the Mirka is attractive, especially since Mirka tends to make a quality product. How does it compare to the Festool block? I have the RTS 400 and would love to share paper. Am I stuck with the more expensive Festool block or can I use the Mirka?
Mirka MVHB35 Sanding Block
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derekcohen
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As far as I am aware, the hand sanding blocks from Festool are rebadged from the Mirka. Therefore they should be the same sizes. Whether your RTS 400 will share sandpaper is up to getting the same size sanding block.
I have the smallest size Mirka hand sander (two of them). That is the value of it to me. Large areas can be done with power (or hand planes, my preference), but small areas of sanding are better with something potentially less invasive. Dust control is important with this hand sander, since it would otherwise throw up much dust.
I use Abranet mesh with these sanders, which facilitates excellent dust control (via a Festool CT26E). At first I used the hand sanders with the 27mm hose ...
This hose is heavy and unbalances the hand sander.
More recently, after exploring hoses for a Mirka Ceros, I obtained the 20mm Mirka hose for the hand sander. It is night-and-day in terms of lightness and flexibility. And cheap. Much recommended!
Regards from Perth
Derek
I have the smallest size Mirka hand sander (two of them). That is the value of it to me. Large areas can be done with power (or hand planes, my preference), but small areas of sanding are better with something potentially less invasive. Dust control is important with this hand sander, since it would otherwise throw up much dust.
I use Abranet mesh with these sanders, which facilitates excellent dust control (via a Festool CT26E). At first I used the hand sanders with the 27mm hose ...
This hose is heavy and unbalances the hand sander.
More recently, after exploring hoses for a Mirka Ceros, I obtained the 20mm Mirka hose for the hand sander. It is night-and-day in terms of lightness and flexibility. And cheap. Much recommended!
Regards from Perth
Derek
CirclDigital
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I have nothing but praise for the Mirka sanding block..... especially the "Roundy":https://www.mirka.com/Roundy-Kit-KIT00ROUND/
The kit, my sander is yellow, isn't that expensive here (€60 / USD 70) and it comes with the hose and 15 Abranet disks.
The dust collection is great and with this model I can standardize my Abranet/Autonet. I might also get the square version but using the sides on occasion with the round version works most of the time.
Paper size would the determine the model to get for me.
The kit, my sander is yellow, isn't that expensive here (€60 / USD 70) and it comes with the hose and 15 Abranet disks.
The dust collection is great and with this model I can standardize my Abranet/Autonet. I might also get the square version but using the sides on occasion with the round version works most of the time.
Paper size would the determine the model to get for me.
I'm also pretty sure that Mirka make the sanding blocks for Festool. If not, then it's Indasa from Portugal, who carry an identical range. Yet the best (i.e. most useful for me personally) size - 80 x 133mm - isn't actually sold by either Mirka or Indasa. It's only available as a Festool. Weird, really. M make 81 x 133 mm DEOS & OS electric & air sanders, corresponding ranges of mesh & paper abrasives, but just don't sell that particular size of hand sanding block.
Mirka's most popular size seems to be an obscure 70 x 200mm plasterer's size. There's hand block/s, a DEOS & OS sanders & a changeable-profile block that absolutely runs rings around Festool's silly Duplex LS130 sander in terms of effectiveness, speed and comfort, not to mention price. The downside is that the range of profiles is rather limited compared to Festool's.
https://www.mirka.com/Sanding-Block-Kit-70x198mm-Grip-40H-Yellow-8391520111/
Mirka's most popular size seems to be an obscure 70 x 200mm plasterer's size. There's hand block/s, a DEOS & OS sanders & a changeable-profile block that absolutely runs rings around Festool's silly Duplex LS130 sander in terms of effectiveness, speed and comfort, not to mention price. The downside is that the range of profiles is rather limited compared to Festool's.
https://www.mirka.com/Sanding-Block-Kit-70x198mm-Grip-40H-Yellow-8391520111/
Not to hijack this thread but the hook and loop face on my Mirka sanding block is starting to separate from the block itself and I'm wondering what the ideal method is to reattach it. Obviously, I need to use some sort of adhesive...just not sure which would work best.
BTW I use my 70 X 125 Mirka block with a Bosch 19mm AS hose along with my Starmix/CS Unitec/Metabo/Hitachi, etc. ISP 1445 vac (the latter turned all the way down) and the combination is the bee's knees (as PP would say).
BTW I use my 70 X 125 Mirka block with a Bosch 19mm AS hose along with my Starmix/CS Unitec/Metabo/Hitachi, etc. ISP 1445 vac (the latter turned all the way down) and the combination is the bee's knees (as PP would say).
Seems like I'll have to use other abrasives. The Abranet rolls are inexpensive. I have some 125mm Abranet and love it.
The profile blocks are nice. Didnt know they made them. Was considering the LS130 for profile sanding but the cost was just too much for such a limited tool. Hard for me to justify from a business standpoint.
The profile blocks are nice. Didnt know they made them. Was considering the LS130 for profile sanding but the cost was just too much for such a limited tool. Hard for me to justify from a business standpoint.
That air valve is worth it's weight in gold if you're connected to one of those manic CTL Sys non-adjustable speed vacs (it stops that awful bleed-valve cycling) or some other fixed speed Shopvac type of cheapie.
As for reaffixing the abrasive to its block, some sort of contact adhesive would work well. I've used that before years ago for (non-sander) velcro repairs. A light smear on each surface, wait 20 mins until tack-free & then press together for a permanent, flexible bond. An antipodean favourite is Selley's Contact Bond, unavailable I suspect in less civilised parts or the world (joke), but I'm sure there's a local equivalent. Great for fixing loafers, brothel-creepers, sneakers & other ludicrously overpriced trainers too.
Festool's LS130 Duplex platen dimensions are indeed shared by only Festool's smallest hand block, made for them by Mirka or Indasa. It's also the same size as their Rs4, Rs400 & cordless, Mirka's smaller DEOS & OS sanders, Bosch GSS 16 & 160, at least one Rupes, an Atlas Copco/Milwaukee & probably a host of others too. I've found Mirka's DEOS @ 3mm to be the most aggressive yet smoothest handling & lightest of the bunch.
Meaning that there's a whole suite of sanding hardware & software solutions for just about every conceivable application from a range of suppliers. Mirka, Klingspor, Sia, Hermes & 3M all make well-regarded & often inexpensive velcro backed abrasives in this particular size. Mesh-type abrasives tend to be a bit more expensive, esp. the ceramic versions, but are in my experience unequalled in painting prep & intermediate (between coats) sanding. Easily torn or damaged on sharp edges, nails etc., they nevertheless tend to be longer lasting than cheaper varieties.
As for reaffixing the abrasive to its block, some sort of contact adhesive would work well. I've used that before years ago for (non-sander) velcro repairs. A light smear on each surface, wait 20 mins until tack-free & then press together for a permanent, flexible bond. An antipodean favourite is Selley's Contact Bond, unavailable I suspect in less civilised parts or the world (joke), but I'm sure there's a local equivalent. Great for fixing loafers, brothel-creepers, sneakers & other ludicrously overpriced trainers too.
Festool's LS130 Duplex platen dimensions are indeed shared by only Festool's smallest hand block, made for them by Mirka or Indasa. It's also the same size as their Rs4, Rs400 & cordless, Mirka's smaller DEOS & OS sanders, Bosch GSS 16 & 160, at least one Rupes, an Atlas Copco/Milwaukee & probably a host of others too. I've found Mirka's DEOS @ 3mm to be the most aggressive yet smoothest handling & lightest of the bunch.
Meaning that there's a whole suite of sanding hardware & software solutions for just about every conceivable application from a range of suppliers. Mirka, Klingspor, Sia, Hermes & 3M all make well-regarded & often inexpensive velcro backed abrasives in this particular size. Mesh-type abrasives tend to be a bit more expensive, esp. the ceramic versions, but are in my experience unequalled in painting prep & intermediate (between coats) sanding. Easily torn or damaged on sharp edges, nails etc., they nevertheless tend to be longer lasting than cheaper varieties.
