Platin vs Micro Mesh on the RO 90

[fritter63]

One of the things that attracted me to the RO 90 is that it looks like it will be the perfect size for sanding (acoustic) guitar
bodies. Not just the bare wood after assembly and binding, but also while doing the final finish.

In the past, I've used Micro Mesh on my 5" porter cable router, but this is really too big of an area. The soft pads on the RO 90
would be perfect to allow it to get into the curves and not sand away material in an bad way.

The Micro Mesh I use goes up to 12000 grit, which is used for the final sanding of the laquer finish. However, Micro Mesh only
appears to be available in 5 and 6" sizes standard. Although they say you can custom order other sizes, I don't yet know what
that would cost.

So I guess the real question is, has anyone had experience at using Platin S4000 on a laquer finish? Can it be wet sanded? How
would you rank the polish of that as a final stage?

Thanks.

 

[mosez]

what about getting 5" pads and cutting them to 3,5"? or whatever the ro90 might be...

 

[fritter63]

what about getting 5" pads and cutting them to 3,5"? or whatever the ro90 might be...

I thought about that... my only concern would be whether you could get a good clean cut (its cloth backed)
and not have a problem with strings or fraying that might scratch the surface.

guess it can't hurt to try....

 

[atomicmike]

Another possibility would be to use polishing pads with the appropriate polishing compounds to work up to the same level of finish.

 

[junk731]

I've used it on multiple surfaces including lacquer. You will get at most a high satin finish with Platin 4000 that is worn in. After that I've used Menzerna polish to get a gloss.

John

 

[GaryB]

The 90 does look like a great size to use for polishing smaller soft curve shapes. I would think these sizes will eventually become available when the market is big enough and I also wonder if there are plans for smaller sponge polishing pads as well.

 

[Brice Burrell]

The 90 does look like a great size to use for polishing smaller soft curve shapes. I would think these sizes will eventually become available when the market is big enough and I also wonder if there are plans for smaller sponge polishing pads as well.

I pretty certain there are sponge polishing pads for the RO90.  The polishing sanding pad is 80mm I don't know if the sponges are too.  Maybe I'm misunderstanding and you're referring to smaller pad than are available now. 

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Fritter,

Doing high-end paint jobs on expensive vehicles, years ago, I'd wet sand to typically 1200, sometimes 1500, rarely 2000 and then the buffer with polishing compounds.  Even thinking about the info I have from Jon Kosmoski, he wouldn't sand over 2000 grit and still get incredible paint jobs.  I'm not saying not to.  I just don't think it's necessary.

 

[GaryB]

I pretty certain there are sponge polishing pads for the RO90.  The polishing sanding pad is 80mm I don't know if the sponges are too.  Maybe I'm misunderstanding and you're referring to smaller pad than are available now. 

Yeah, I was thinking of pads more in line with it's smaller size for smaller jobs.

 

[fdengel]

Related question: is it safe to wet-sand with a RO 150, and with what abrasive (Platin)?

I'm assuming just damping the pad slightly with water?

And what would be the impact of this on the dust extractor, given that the extractor is generally only intended for use with dry stuff unless specially equipped with the filters removed (making it less useful for sanding)?

I'd imagine the answers would be the same for the RO90... the closest I've come to "wet sanding" is making micromesh sticks wet by dipping them in cups of water before applying them to workpieces spinning on the lathe, but I'm working on something right now that will involve a finish that calls for wet sanding at one point, so trying to work out what is involved.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Related question: is it safe to wet-sand with a RO 150, and with what abrasive (Platin)?

I don't know about regulations in the States, but here in Europe it is forbidden to do wet sanding with all electrical sanders of Festool. Only sanders with a special electrical circuit (like for instance the Mirka Ceros' trafo or a special switch) are allowed, and air sanders.

 

[tbellemare]

The 90 does look like a great size to use for polishing smaller soft curve shapes. I would think these sizes will eventually become available when the market is big enough and I also wonder if there are plans for smaller sponge polishing pads as well.

I pretty certain there are sponge polishing pads for the RO90.  The polishing sanding pad is 80mm I don't know if the sponges are too.  Maybe I'm misunderstanding and you're referring to smaller pad than are available now. 

There's a polishing pad for the RO 90, it's 495625.

The polishing sponges, felts, and sheepskins are 80mm diameter. The pad's about 70.

Tom

 

[JJ Wavra]

Go to woodcraft.com and type in 150863 that is 3" micro mesh for sanding bowls.  They also sell it at other turning supply stores.

That may work.
JJ

 

[fdengel]

Related question: is it safe to wet-sand with a RO 150, and with what abrasive (Platin)?

I don't know about regulations in the States, but here in Europe it is forbidden to do wet sanding with all electrical sanders of Festool. Only sanders with a special electrical circuit (like for instance the Mirka Ceros' trafo or a special switch) are allowed, and air sanders.

Thanks, I figured as much, so I'll assume the same here and find another solution, maybe hand-sand if it comes to that.

 

[fritter63]

Go to woodcraft.com and type in 150863 that is 3" micro mesh for sanding bowls.  They also sell it at other turning supply stores.

That may work.
JJ

That's awesome! Wonder why they don't list it on the micro mesh site

And lol at the 1" discs!

Thx

 

[fritter63]

FYI, here is the response from the manufacturer:

We have a 3 1/2" die for discs w/o hole pattern.  Price is $1.08 each. It is possible to use these, however the vacuum system would not be useable on the tool due to no holes.  People do utilize them w/o holes.

ETA: Does Festool sell a hole punch accessory? I can take it without a Systainer....

 

[Gotoh]

If anyone else out there is wondering about this as I was: I just ordered two sets of Micro Mesh discs for the RO 90 and they work *extremely* well. Almost a little too well, as it's easy to go right through the finish even on the finer "grits" given the aggression level of the sander. You do have to call them to order as it's an unusual size, but they are more than happy to accommodate and ship pretty quickly. Costs less than the packs they sell at Woodcraft.

I just spritzed an extremely fine mist of moderately soapy water (I used the all-natural, unscented stuff since I'm working with waterborne urethanes that tend to fisheye when fragrance oils get involved) over a square foot or two of surface, ran the pad over the area on low speed, re-sprayed the remaining slurry before it dried and wiped it all down with a microfiber cloth--came out great. A very small amount of soap suds did find their way into the holes in the pad after a while, but I saw no traces of moisture on the other side after removing it. Obviously, I can't tell anyone that putting water anywhere near an electric tool is something they should try at home, but it works as long as you don't go crazy. The pad does not need to be saturated, it just needs a few molecules of liquid cushioning to help push the tiny particles out of the way.

You shouldn't really need the holes or the vacuum hose. The pads *do* work dry, but they load up quickly and have to be cleaned frequently. I wouldn't use them dry unless I was polishing a very small area or didn't mind pulling them off every few minutes to knock the gunk out of them.