Please advise me on using my Rotex 125 to sand, stain and finish a table

[joesan]

I'm going to stain and finish a large pine kitchen table today and would like some advice on how to use my Rotex 125 to do that.

I have the following abrasives available:

• P80 Rubin 2
• P120 Rubin 2
• P120 Brilliant 2
• P180 Rubin 2
• P180 Hand Sanding Pad (like the 3M sponge)
• Green Vlies

I'm using Mann's Water-based Pine Stain and Osmo PolyX Semi-matt. I don't think I can get any other abrasives so would like to try to work with what I have.

My planned approach was:
[list type=decimal]
[*]Rotex at speed 6 with P80 Rubin 2.
[*]Rotex at speed 6 with P120 Rubin 2.
[*]Apply Stain.
[*]Wait. Apply second coat.
[*]Once dry, apply Osmo with paint brush.
[*]Wait 5 minutes. Wipe off excess oil and buff in with Green Vlies. Speed ?
[*]Apply second coat Osmo. Wait 5 minutes. Wipe off excess oil and buff in with Green Vlies.
[*]Finish with Rotex P180, Speed ? Mode ?
[/list]

I have zero experience with sanding. So any advice on the above schedule would be much appreciated!

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Joesan

As this is your first sanding session you may want to have a practice go on one of the leftover pieces of wood in order to get a feel for the Rotex.

Start with P80. If the surface is really rough then use rotary mode first. Then use random mode with that same grit.

Next use P120 in rotary then random mode.

Finish sanding with P180 grit, again rotary then random mode.

You should now have a piece of wood with no swirl marks at all.

Apply your stain and allow to dry. This will raise the grain and you will need to redo the P180 but only lightly in random mode.

Apply the first coat of Osmo PolyX with a brush or pad. Make sure that you apply the oil sparingly and evenly. I often finish each coat by wiping with a lint free cloth.

Allow the PolyX to dry thoroughly.

You can at this stage give a gentle rub with the Vlie but Osmo do not include this in their instructions. I have tried it with some very fine (white) non abrasive pads and it does help. I have not tried it with the green Vlie.

Then apply the second coat, again sparingly and evenly. If you wish, wipe off with a lint free cloth.

I sometimes apply a third coat because I am applying very thin coats but, again, this is up to you.

I have made a number of videos that may help which are here on the FOG.

Good luck.

Peter

 

[joesan]

Thank you so much Peter! That is lovely and clear.

I watched your videos on here and they are great. Very inspirational.

Should I always sand on highest speed 6 or do I do latter stages at lower speeds?

 

[Stone Message]

You will be fine on speed 6 but cut the speed a little if you find that it helps you to control the machine. Lower the speed for the Vlies.

I assume that you have a Festool extractor attached when sanding.

Peter

 

[joesan]

Thanks Peter. Yes, I have a CTL26. I'll use it round about 75% extraction. I'm feeling confident now!