Where online to purchase abrasives for RO 90 and what I should order?

[Girlsintheshop]

I'm unable to find the earlier discussion that I came across a few days ago with links to various online suppliers for abrasives and pads for the Rotex 90.  I know there was one supplier where you could purchase 10 or other quantities of abrasives.  Does anyone have these "book marked" anywhere?  Who has the best selection and/or prices?

Being a newbie to the Rotex 90 I'd like some suggestions on making a "well rounded" first order to have what I need on hand for most projects.  So far, I only have what came with the RO 90.  Here are the two categories that I want to cover in my first big order:

Category 1: Most of my projects are constructing furniture, cabinets, small & large organizers for around the home & shop, repurposing old furniture or objects into new furniture, etc.  I usually work with solid wood, but sometimes sheet goods.

Category 2: Additionally, I'm working on a more "delicate" project which I posted about yesterday, a walnut floor harp. I'm tired of sanding it by hand and I'm looking forward to the Rotex 90 saving the day and my arm! 

I'd like to have a variety of abrasives (types & grits?) and pads (hard, soft, how many?), but I want to order smaller quantities (less than 50) until I see for myself through trial what I need.  Basically, I'm trying to avoid spending $1000+ buying large quantities of the wrong abrasives and other accessories that I don't need.  I plan to make a large order, but want to do so wisely...which is where I need your expertise!

 

[rst]

I've bought 10pc quantities from both bobmarinosbesttools.com and festoolproducts.com/toolnut.com.  Both are great venders, Toolnut sells much more than just Festool and recently started distributing Mafell.

 

[bobfog]

My experience with my RO90 is that it goes through abrasives quite quickly. The smaller surface area tends to lead to more wear and also because it's harder to keep flat as consistently as a bigger pad, the edges tend to wear more quickly. In short it's probably false economy to buy you abrasives in smaller quantities, you'll go through them quite quickly.

 

[peter halle]

Personally in your situation I would call Bob Marino and talk to him about options.  He is always willing to talk and give sage advice.  Ask him about putting an assortment together for you.

Peter

 

[McNally Family]

Personally in your situation I would call Bob Marino and talk to him about options.  He is always willing to talk and give sage advice.  Ask him about putting an assortment together for you.

Peter

http://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/sanding-accessories/c/1055/

 

[live4ever]

Granat is my favorite Festool abrasive and it's definitely the most versatile.  Ideally, you would want grits 60-400...some people skip grits and some don't - depends what you work on and how discerning you are when it comes to finishes.  Personally I skip in the higher grits and my Rotex paper inventory goes 60-80-120-220-400 (round), but the bulk of my usage with this particular sander is 120 and 220.  60 grit in rotex mode is probably coarse enough to serve most stripping needs.  If you needed coarser, you could get some Saphir, which I believe goes down to 24 grit for the Rotex and is an extremely durable paper. 

You may also want a small assortment in the delta shape, depending on how often you think you'll use the triangle head.  Personally I only use it here and there so I have 10 packs of 80, 120, and 220. 

You will also want the blue hard pad (495623, $33) if you plan on doing a lot of critically flat surfaces - it is indispensable for face frames or cabinet rails/stiles where you want to keep the edges crisp.  The interface pad (497481, $21) is also really handy for curved surfaces - it would be quite useful for your harp project.

As for pricing, as you may have learned by now, all Festool products have standardized pricing.  There is almost no way to get discounts up front, with the exception of things like earning or using credit card points.  So find a source that will get it to you quick, provide special assistance if needed (e.g. sandpaper assortments), or doesn't charge sales tax in your state.

 

[Girlsintheshop]

You guys are so helpful and amazing!

Thanks,
Carrie [thanks]

 

[jlt23]

Was it this discussion?
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...-90-abrasives-assortment/msg309600/#msg309600