Suggested Abrasives.
- Thread starter lambeater
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 8,426
The single best general purpose abrasive is Granat. It also offers the broadest grit range. Best overall service life. I think those members who have tried it will agree that it kicks butt.
ccarrolladams
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2010
- Messages
- 1,451
I do agree with Shane, Granat does cover every task in woodworking that I have tried using it.
For many years I used Rubin as my primary abrasive, switching to Brilliant 2 at 150 grit, when preparing raw wood for finishing. Then Granat was introduced in the USA. As my confidence in Granat increased, and as it became more readily available, each time I needed to re-order, I have specified Granat. None of us working in my shop have found a downside to Granat.
The slight premium price is more than compensated by the long life of Granat. Of more importance is that on Festool sanders Granat allows such effective dust extraction, it is like the wood is constantly feeling a brand-new sheet. With more traditional abrasives there was always the risk of un-extracted dust causing a scratch. Such scratches needed to be carefully removed with additional sanding using finer grits, all of which cost time and materials.
Each cabinet maker working for me has vast and varied experience. We have been doing our thing for a long time. Honestly we were set in our ways and reluctant to accept the radical differences in such a new fangled abrasive as Granat. Sure, the concept is not all that new, for automotive finishing. Festool found ways of using the basic idea and improve it so we gain the benefits of Granat's dust collection efficiency without the risk of harming later wood finishing processes. My experience is I have no worries when using Granat.
For many years I used Rubin as my primary abrasive, switching to Brilliant 2 at 150 grit, when preparing raw wood for finishing. Then Granat was introduced in the USA. As my confidence in Granat increased, and as it became more readily available, each time I needed to re-order, I have specified Granat. None of us working in my shop have found a downside to Granat.
The slight premium price is more than compensated by the long life of Granat. Of more importance is that on Festool sanders Granat allows such effective dust extraction, it is like the wood is constantly feeling a brand-new sheet. With more traditional abrasives there was always the risk of un-extracted dust causing a scratch. Such scratches needed to be carefully removed with additional sanding using finer grits, all of which cost time and materials.
Each cabinet maker working for me has vast and varied experience. We have been doing our thing for a long time. Honestly we were set in our ways and reluctant to accept the radical differences in such a new fangled abrasive as Granat. Sure, the concept is not all that new, for automotive finishing. Festool found ways of using the basic idea and improve it so we gain the benefits of Granat's dust collection efficiency without the risk of harming later wood finishing processes. My experience is I have no worries when using Granat.
MrToolJunkie
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 3,008
I agree -- Granat is awesome stuff that lasts a lot longer than other papers. My sanding process starts at 80 grit typically to remove mill marks and then progress all the way up to 400 grit in many instances, depending on how I am going to finish the piece. I typically apply some kind of oil finish and 400 grit works well for me so I keep all the grits from 80 - 400 on hand, but that is me. I know that other folks will stop at 220 or 240 or in some instances even 180 or less...it all just depends on finish and how smooth you like to go. The higher grits work well when sanding between coats too so it is nice to have them on hand.
Scot
Scot
MrToolJunkie
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 3,008
I should add that some folks skip every other grit -- this will save some money on stocking more papers, but I find that it can take longer or not save any time as you have to spend a little more time on each grit if you go that route. Personally I get better results going through each grit and not skipping...YMMV.
Scot
Scot
