Platin 2, Rotex sanders, and wood/epoxy resin

[samsmith93]

I have ordered some of the Festool Platin 2 pads in grits 1000,2000 and 4000 for finishing some epoxy resin/wood projects I have been making.

I havent had much joy with my rotex RO125 and the higher grit sanding pads (>500) - mainly have experienced a lot of swirl marks (even with varying the rotex/random orbit modes, sander speed and extraction power - rotex mode seems to cause less problems than orbital mode however), I am hoping that the Platin 2 pads will solve some of this issue.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on using the platin 2 pads, i have also read various accounts as to whether i should use dust extraction with them or not.

I am grateful for any tips or pointers that anyone is able to give me!

 

[guybo]

Hi happy thanksgiving form this part of the world, I only have used platin on sprayed lacquer,this guy has some great tips on epoxy finishes. good luck guy

 

[ear3]

[member=76967]samsmith93[/member] I have used Platin a fair amount, though only for straight wood applications, like these bookends, and not mixed with epoxy (I've had mixed success with high grit sanding of epoxy due to amine blush, but that could also be because I don't do a lot of epoxy on the regular).

I found the most success moving from Granat 1200 or 1500 grit to Platin 2000, rather than starting at Platin 1000 from the Granat 800.  There's no need for dust collection, simply because the platin pad doesn't allow the dust to filter through the pad anyway.  But wiping with a cloth between grits at the upper ranges is super important.  I find rotex mode with the platin pad to work best.  I also tend to combine it with an interface pad, though that's also because I'm generally using it on sculpted surfaces.

BTW -- I used to get inconsistent results as well with high grit sanding when just using the Rotex (swirl marks, duller spots), but that changed once I started using the ETS for the higher grit Granat sanding, and only switching back to the Rotex with the Platin.  I know the Rotex is presented as an all-in-one sander, and for the most part it is, but in the upper grit ranges it does have some limitations for some reason.  These can be overcome with greater care and attention to the task, but they are still a challenge.

I have ordered some of the Festool Platin 2 pads in grits 1000,2000 and 4000 for finishing some epoxy resin/wood projects I have been making.

I havent had much joy with my rotex RO125 and the higher grit sanding pads (>500) - mainly have experienced a lot of swirl marks (even with varying the rotex/random orbit modes, sander speed and extraction power - rotex mode seems to cause less problems than orbital mode however), I am hoping that the Platin 2 pads will solve some of this issue.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on using the platin 2 pads, i have also read various accounts as to whether i should use dust extraction with them or not.

I am grateful for any tips or pointers that anyone is able to give me!

 

[squall_line]

Sedge also did a wood polishing segment on Festool Live a couple of months ago: