Oak butcher block tops what rotex discs ?

[joiner1970]

Im fitting some Howdens oak butcher block kitchen worktops this week. They supply the oil which Ive used loads of times. In the past Ive used my Metabo 450 to sand the tops ready for finishing. Ive now got a rotex 150 but I need to buy some discs to do the tops. What grades and types of paper would you guys go for ?

I see in the surfix kit festool supply Rubin p180 and Brilliant 2 p240 so im guessing that would be the right ones ?

Its been awhile since ive done hardwood tops so ive forgotten what grades of paper I used with my metabo and now with the rotex you not only get different grades theres also different types, which I didnt have with the metabo.

 

[CrazyLarry]

Rubin II 80 through 240 usually only need the higher grits for the top surface, but if you're shaping or making good blemishes the low grits really speed things up.

Rubin last the longest, granat and brilliant work but won't last as long that's all.

Biggest help with the RO150 is the hard pad it's really a must have for large surfaces, especially if you want clearly defined edges.

You'll be blown away at how quickly you'll be done

 

[joiner1970]

Cheers Larry, Rubin II it is then.

I have the standard pad at the moment that comes with it . is that the soft one ?

These tops come square edged but I normally pencil round the edges with a router.

 

[CrazyLarry]

Cheers Larry, Rubin II it is then.

I have the standard pad at the moment that comes with it . is that the soft one ?

These tops come square edged but I normally pencil round the edges with a router.

Yes if it's still delivered as mine was (2 yrs ago I think)

Hard pad is also good for say maintaining the definition of an edge when you've rounded it.

I'm sure you've read lots already but key things with the 150 are to let it do the work, practice a little, if it feels like a bucking bronco turn down the extraction and check which mode you're in RO really is for removal!

My favourite festool.

 

[joiner1970]

Yeah ive used it awhile now so I'm used to it. Just not bought any paper, I had a few freebies from a demo

 

[CrazyLarry]

Yeah ive used it awhile now so I'm used to it. Just not bought any paper, I had a few freebies from a demo

Oh right I'll shut up about it then!

As far as the papers go I've used rubin, granat and brilliant they do behave quite differently and it is worth having say granat for paint removal and switching to rubin as you transition to just wood, I didn't think it would make as much difference as it does. I carried on with the granat the first time and it just wore the papers out.

 

[bertv]

Note that Festools naming for the pads is somewhat confusing. The ones for the RO150 are calles 'hard', 'soft' and 'supersoft'. Better would have been: hard, medium, soft. The medium (in Festoolterms 'soft') is the one that comes with the machine.

And do buy the hard one, far better for larger boards and flat stuff.