Quality of sanding paper

[Redfox]

Hi all,
This is not a review as such, more like a short comment on Festools sanding paper.

I am rebuilding a kitchen these days, and while I had to sand the walls, I chose to use my ETS125EQ with a new (to me) sanding paper, the Granat P60 in 125mm form.
This particular kitchen is quite small, being only 2 by 3 meters and 2,5 to ceiling. On sanding this completely to good finish before going on, I used one sheet of Granat P60/125.
I am duly impressed by the quality of sanding and ease of use, no flicking around when the velcro let go, like the competition sometimes does, and no ugly traces on the walls as well.
Almost no dust coming out in the room, as mt ETS125EQ was connected to my CT-Mini. I filled 4 bags all in all. I wore a dustmask anyway, but there wasn't really anything to clean up afterwards.
I also wore a hearing protection, but the noise of the CT-Mini is really not very loud. It was adjusted to a little over minimum suction, which suited the ETS125EQ well.
I repeat: on one sheet  [eek].
Nobody in the industry beats that, I believe.
Thanks to Festool for bringing out such a really great sanding paper. I may be expensive compared to the rest when looking in the shops, but it's really much more economical in use.

Cheers to all,
Jacques  [smile]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Jacques, thanks for the mini-review. For those in NA, we will be getting Granat in early 2011. Granat is an incredible super-abrasive. We think it's really going to become the go-to abrasive for many of our customers because of its long life, non-clogging, and high abrasion properties.

 

[Neill]

Jacques, thanks for the mini-review. For those in NA, we will be getting Granat in early 2011. Granat is an incredible super-abrasive. We think it's really going to become the go-to abrasive for many of our customers because of its long life, non-clogging, and high abrasion properties.

Shane,

Thanks for picking up on this so quickly and heading off the requisite inquiries..  Could you please provide a link to a source of additional information on this product.

Neill

Also, thanks to Mr. Fox for putting us in the know.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Neill,

I don't have a lot of product information available to share currently. Here's a link to the UK site with some basic info.  We have some samples here that we've been testing and gotten great results. Here's what I know, albeit not much.

Grit Range: 40 - 600 (may be expanded)
Compatibility: 90 mm, 150 mm, 125 mm, 185 mm, and RTS / DTS

http://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Product-Tour/multi-jetstream/Pages/Granat-abrasives.aspx

Also, to be preemptive again, we will also be adding another abrasive called Diamant to the line up. It's basically like Platin but diamond impregnated for longer service life.

Grit Range: 500 - 3000
Compatibility: 150 mm, 125 mm

Thanks,
Shane

 

[Needsster]

Granat really is a great abrasive, i used to use Brilliant 2 but you just can't beat Granat for sanding filler or paint, especially the new 2010 low VOC oil based or water based wood paints. I think Festool have shot them self in the foot because as far as i can tell Brilliant is now obsolete, maybe Shane could enlighten us!

P.S - The FOG is great!!!

 

[Neill]

Shane,

Thanks for information.  All I really wanted was the link and as usual you have gone above and beyond.

Anyhow, when I tried the link I got what appeared to be in German and "Temporarily Under Construction".

Neill

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Needsster,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure I have all of the answers members might have. Since we don't currently offer Granat here in the U.S. market and I've only had limited exposure to it myself, I don't have a lot of the information or product knowledge.  For that reason, I would prefer to be cautious in what I say about it because I want to make sure my information is accurate.

What I do know is that Granat was developed in conjunction with our automotive team for a specific application and it was later found to be very well suited for other applications outside of the automotive industry.

Otherwise, I don't have any more details than what I've already offered.

Shane

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Anyhow, when I tried the link I got what appeared to be in German and "Temporarily Under Construction".

Neill, as luck would have it, it looks like the entire UK site is down for maintenance. It was working a few minutes ago. Maybe I uncovered some secret information and set off a self-destruct process!  [scared] I'd give it a while and try again.  Or, alternatively, a web search for it may yield additional links and info.

Shane

 

[Redfox]

HI all,
Yes, I can add that it does not clogg, with neither filler nor old paint. Not for me anyway.
I spoke to a local dealer the other day, asking for some Granat, and he said he doesn't have any yet, but will swap most of his other types for Granat. Well, needless to say I got it in antoher shop. Glad I did, it saves me time and money. The servicelife, as Shane calls it, is really amazing compared to what I am used to.
I guess you could buy it here in Europe and have it sent over to try it out.

I should add that I had the sander on speed around 5, and not pressing the machine against the walls at all, just touching fairly light.

Shane: I'll try that Diamant on carpaint in 1000-3000 if it's suited. It must be just the right stuff to sand very lightly, before adding pinstribes etc.??

Cheers,
Jacques.

 

[Mark]

I wish I had some of that right now to reclaim some demo'd decking from my neighbor!

 

[Redfox]

As a continuationof the above, I sanded a door and doorframe completely down to the bare wood, also with just one piece of Granat P40 for my RTS400EQ. It had several layers of old paint (waterbased outside, alkyd-based underneath). Afterwards one piece of Granat in P80/P120/P240. I keep them as they last much longer.
I noticed that more dealers swap their stock to be only Granat. I cannot say if this is a good idea, as it may not be able to substiture all types. Maybe someone can tell about this?

Mark: can you get that on Hawai? Or shall I send you a few for trying out?

Cheers,
jacques.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I noticed that more dealers swap their stock to be only Granat.

Must be a Danish thing. Here in Holland you have to order every single sheet. Even in the Shop-In-Shop stores.

 

[Needsster]

I noticed that more dealers swap their stock to be only Granat.

Must be a Danish thing. Here in Holland you have to order every single sheet. Even in the Shop-In-Shop stores.

Same. I think shops are less likely to stock it unless they have an automotive section. Both local shops near me are set-up for woodworking and they don't stock it, went to a shop in another city with an automotive section, there it was on the shelf.

 

[Mark]

Let me check with our local Festool dealer. Once they had stuff that no other NA dealer had in stock yet and they might be able to get me some. Thx

 

[Warrior]

This is some really great news. I cant wait!

 

[Redfox]

I revisited one local dealer yesterday to ask if he can get the Festool Stabila level: No. And I sked him for the Granat paper, and he said he will phase out the other types and only do Granat  (in it's grains).
I have seen yet another dealer do the same here in Copenhagen. All the dealers in Denmark usually stock the whole program.

Eiji: do you have it preadvance to ordinary customers?

Cheers,
jacques.

 

[agarwalsa]

I agree the quality of Festool sanding paper is excellent and 1 sheet lasts a looong time. What amazes me is why does Festool insist you buy 100 sheets.  I want some 220 and 320 grit sheets for the RS2E. I have to buy 100 each of them !!! That will be more than a lifetime worth of supply and an unnecessary investment in sandpaper.

 

[Neill]

Zooladdict,

As has been discussed here before, a number of our online dealers will split boxes.  I know Bob Marino will and so will Tom Bellemare at Tool-Home.

Don't expect Woodcraft or Rockler to offer this service.

Neill

 

[Peter Fish]

Hi guys just wondering if anybody can recommend a paper to use on old reclaimed floorboards, they appear black and I am trying to get them back to a natural finish. They are 6 inches wide, I tried with 80 Rubin in the Rotex 150 now wondering about the 75 belt sander, even considering buying a planer thicknesser I have about 900 feet to sand 40 sq yds.  Any help really appreciated !!

Thanks Peter   

 

[grobin]

Hi guys just wondering if anybody can recommend a paper to use on old reclaimed floorboards, they appear black and I am trying to get them back to a natural finish. They are 6 inches wide, I tried with 80 Rubin in the Rotex 150 now wondering about the 75 belt sander, even considering buying a planer thicknesser I have about 900 feet to sand 40 sq yds.  Any help really appreciated !!

I realize that this isn't the answer that you are expecting; but I got a bunch of 14"x8' Oak and some teak boards the same size with a lot of layers of finish.  I have given up on sanding to remove finish I use a LN Cabinet Makers Scraper Plane  Its faster than anything but a large drum sander and leaves a surface that is reasonably level and ready to finish.  I think that LV makes a similar plane and one friend uses a #4½ with a 55º frog and a toothed iron; seems to work a little better.  I haven't tried a toothed iron yet but plan to get one to try.

BTW a plainer thicknesser blades are expensive and wear fast when removing old finish and if one side is not flat they cause more problems.