What's the deal with Granat

[fifo28]

So, I am a bit confused with Granat.  I have used Rubin and Brilliant and they are pretty straight forward.  Granat comes along and I pretty much ignore it due to the description "For most modern paint systems, VOC clear coats, plastic materials, solid surface and acrylics".  Based on the description I think its for rubbing out finishes etc, especially since it goes to 500 grit.  But reading some posts etc. I am seeing recommendations on bare wood.  So what are its uses, how does it perform, etc.  Obviously I am looking to take advantage of the 10% off!

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'd say it's a general purpose abrasive since it'll do pretty much anything.  I'd recommend you try some before stocking up. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

Granat is for general use, just like Brilliant 2. For wood, Rubin is still a lot better. For other uses, I see very little difference between Brilliant and Granat. On my paint work, I can see no difference. The only time I did see a significant difference between the two of them was when I had to sand plastered walls, with that job, Granat took a lot longer to clog than Brilliant.

 

[junk731]

I have to disagree with Alex on Rubin being better than Granat for wood. We have found in my shop that the Granat performs far better and lasts at least 4 times longer when we sand wood. Granat doesn't seem to clog when using it to sand glue ups which Rubin does without fail. The bonus is you only have to stock one type of paper. The one downside is the price being higher then both Rubin and Brilliant. I have also used it on solid surface and for sanding out finishes. Personally I will phase out both Rubin and Brilliant in the shop as we run out and replace the grit with Granat. With Granat going down to 40 grit I don't think it could be classed as just a paper for rubbing out or just for finishes. Try some 10 packs and see if you like it, like Brice said it will do almost everything.

John

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I liked the performance in the lower grits, but I found that it did not work as well as I like in 240 or higher grits.  YMMV...

Scot

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have to disagree with Alex on Rubin being better than Granat for wood. We have found in my shop that the Granat performs far better and lasts at least 4 times longer when we sand wood. Granat doesn't seem to clog when using it to sand glue ups which Rubin does without fail.

How do you measure it's performance? I agree Granat lasts far longer, it doesn't dull and clog as fast as Rubin. But that's not the only way to judge it. Rubin cuts faster and leaves a much nicer looking surface.

 

[junk731]

Scot

We use nothing but water based finishes or Rubio Oil and notice no difference in the higher grits, to answer you Alex no noticeable difference when finishing wood. Smooth and swirl free. The sander used is an ETS 150/3. Had to recently use a borrowed ETS150/5 and got the same finish. This opinion isn't simply based on sanding a couple small pcs, we recently completed a large commercial display project that gave the opportunity do lot of side by side comparison of Rubin/Brilliant and Granat. So in my opinion for the work we do, I will not use Rubin because of its short life/clogging and find stocking one paper much easier.

John

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Scot

We use nothing but water based finishes or Rubio Oil and notice no difference in the higher grits, to answer you Alex no noticeable difference when finishing wood. Smooth and swirl free. The sander used is an ETS 150/3. Had to recently use a borrowed ETS150/5 and got the same finish. This opinion isn't simply based on sanding a couple small pcs, we recently completed a large commercial display project that gave the opportunity do lot of side by side comparison of Rubin/Brilliant and Granat. So in my opinion for the work we do, I will not use Rubin because of its short life/clogging and find stocking one paper much easier.

John

Where I noticed a difference was sanding bare wood prior to applying a finish.  I had to touch up a panel that had been sanded through 400 with Brilliant and the Granat left circular swirls over the entire panel when looking at it from an angle.  I Had to refinish again with Brilliant to match the original.  Maybe it was because I used two different papers, not sure.  The biggest thing I noticed is that the 240 and higher does not seem to last as long sanding bare wood as does Brilliant.  The lower grits seems to last a lot longer.  I have to play around more with different wood species and testing as I have only used it on soft maple and cherry (and Plexiglas), but that has been my experience so far.  The lower grits do not clog and they seem ideal of sanding off glue, epoxy and initial sanding.

Scot

 

[nickao]

Here is Festool's take on Granat:

http://blog.festoolusa.com/post/2011/02/18/Granat-Festools-New-Wonder-Abrasive.aspx

I love Cristal and use everyday. If I have to go above 120 I go Rubin and than Brillant 2 if I have to go higher than that, which is not often for me.

Not sure if Festool upgraded their pdf with Granat here is the older one I have:

 

[junk731]

Dovetail

I to like the way Cristal sands and used it as an alternative to Rubin. I also still like the way Brilliant works but as stated above I personally have found Granat covers all bases for me.

Scot

Interesting observation and solution. Are you using a hard pad or soft? The woods that we did most of the comparisons on were red oak, hard maple and poplar using a new style hard pad. The project I mentioned had a lot of glue ups which really trashed the Rubin. The good thing about the Festool selection of abrasives is there is something available for almost any problem and budget.