Refinishing Staircase

[Charles Wilson]

Having the floors on the first floor of my home refinished.  Figured that since my wife and daughter will be out of town during this time and the dogs will be kenneled that I'd stay home and finish/start to finish/refinish the staircase.  I wanted to sand the poly and the stain off the stairs. Believe that the treads on stairs are oak.  Using my extractor, RO 150, and DX 93.  Looking for recommendations on type of abrasives (Cristal, Rubin, etc.), pads, and grits to use. Also, are there any other Festool sanders that might be useful for the aforementioned task?

Thanks in advance,
Chuck

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

40, 60, 80, maybe 100.

That blue one or rubin2 works just fine.

 

[awil66]

What he said. Unfortunately you have all the sanders you will need.  [tongue]

 

[Charles Wilson]

40, 60, 80, maybe 100.

That blue one or rubin2 works just fine.

What is the 'blue one' that you speak of?

 

[rst]

My guess is that Warner is referring to Granat as that is the color of those sand papers.

 

[Atonwa]

Just finished one oak staircase and partially finished with my second. I used my RO150 and my RO90 Delta Head. Granat 2 paper in 60,80,100 with a light 120 finish. I had to remove an old finish on the second set of stairs. I couldn't imagine tackling these without the Rotex.

 

[Charles Wilson]

Just finished one oak staircase and partially finished with my second. I used my RO150 and my RO90 Delta Head. Granat 2 paper in 60,80,100 with a light 120 finish. I had to remove an old finish on the second set of stairs. I couldn't imagine tackling these without the Rotex.

How much paper did you go through?

 

[aloysius]

I've found the big Rotex & small Deltex (& equivalent) machines pretty well ideal for most stair reno jobs, I've tackled.

The RO90, by contrast, just seems to lack the finesse of these much smoother running tools, and seems to want to gouge away too much substrate if not handled extremely firmly & carefully.  The RO 150 & DX93 seem to "float" over a multi-angled work surface like stairs, whereas the RO90 continually bucks & kicks in protest.

 

[Atonwa]

How much paper did you go through?

On the full staircase I was about 15 sanding pads of the heavier grits, about 6 of the 80/100. Went through 2 of the delta interface pads as it's just too easy to get aggressive. 

I run the interface pad on the RO90 when going to the higher grits. It is easier to handle and conforms to the stair nosing well. Being oak you don't get that much removal as long as you let the machine do the work and aren't pressing down aggressively.

 

[Charles Wilson]

How much paper did you go through?

On the full staircase I was about 15 sanding pads of the heavier grits, about 6 of the 80/100. Went through 2 of the delta interface pads as it's just too easy to get aggressive. 

I run the interface pad on the RO90 when going to the higher grits. It is easier to handle and conforms to the stair nosing well. Being oak you don't get that much removal as long as you let the machine do the work and aren't pressing down aggressively.

What sanding pads/interface pads did you use?  If needed, I'd like to buy what I need writhing the next couple of days to get started.

 

[Charles Wilson]

Also, any recommendations as to where to purchase what I need?  Online preferable.  No taxes and free shipping a plus.

Thanks.