What grit to switch between using 150/5 to 150/3?

[piethout]

Have both sanders, and always used the 150/5 with 60/80/100/120 and then switched over to the 150/3 for 150/180/220 to get the finest finish on my solid hardwood furniture. Mostly walnut, some white oak and hard maple.

Struck me the other day that I just invented that method and thought that was why there are 2 sanders. Smaller stroke as you get finer. Anyone agree or any suggestions to change the method a bit for optimal sanding quickly to the highest quality? Thanks!

 

[waho6o9]

Good idea.
I use a Rotex and then the 150 with different grits as well.

 

[luvmytoolz]

That's exactly what I think most users do, for myself though unless I'm being lazy at changing grits, I'll usually use the 150/5 for up to 180, and above 180 for the 150/3.

For the really high grit Abralon polishing discs though I use the 150/5.

 

[smorgasbord]

This just strikes me as - well I don't know how to describe it. The smaller orbit means less cross-grain sanding, which is why you want for a smoother finish, but I think one is better off just switching to with the grain sanding. I've used my LS130 with a flat pad for large areas, but after 180 on the 150/5, doing 220 by hand, then 320 and 400 works pretty darn well (600 if you're working with a super tight grain like ebony) for not large areas.
I don't have a 3mm orbit sander, so maybe I'm missing something, but I don't know what I'm missing.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I don't have a 3mm orbit sander, so maybe I'm missing something, but I don't know what I'm missing.

The need to change between discs as often! ;-)

Seriously though, for long sanding jobs I find it's a massive time/annoyance saver to be able to just grab either as needed.

 

[derekcohen]

Can you see the difference in the same grit used on each sander?! Or is all this just theoretical?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[luvmytoolz]

@derekcohen I do when I'm applying the oil, especially with the softer woods, and with some of the Vic Ash that's as light as pine, the swirls can really stand out at times.

 

[Sparktrician]

Good idea.
I use a Rotex and then the 150 with different grits as well.

The Rotex can duplicate the function of the /5 version when in random orbit mode, so just use the /3 version for final sanding, regardless of grit. End of problem.

 

[SoonerFan]

I’m to progress to higher grit and to small stoke sanders. For larger/flat pieces I use my drum sander up 180 grit and then finish with my 150 ETS EC if finer is needed. For smaller pieces I usually use Rotex in geared mode up to 180, then switch to orbital mode at 180 before switching to the 150 ETS EC for finer sanding.

 

[smorgasbord]

I'm surprised that people aren't always doing the final sanding pass by hand, or a linear sander to avoid all cross-grain possibility.

 

[waho6o9]

The Rotex can duplicate the function of the /5 version when in random orbit mode, so just use the /3 version for final sanding, regardless of grit. End of problem.

Good to know