Thread: Hook and Loop sanding paper question

Couple brands in the U.S. from 80 through 1200, and another type through 4000.

Hughie, I use http://www.vinceswoodnwonders.com/ 3 3/8" Blue Flex H&L discs with my inertia sanders. The grits run from 80 through 2000 grit.
I sometimes go as far as 600 grit, and brown paper sack, on some pieces, but normally I stop at 400. I know what you mean about the inertia sanders making the grit look finer than it is... I was noticing it today when I was sanding on an Aspen vase. Inside was sanded by hand to 400, and the outside to 220 with the inertia sanders, and the outside looked as good as the inside. It's soaking in DO as we speak.
I've never used anything finer than 400 in the Blue Flex. Higher grits that I use are in Wet or Dry sheets, by hand. And I use MicroMesh Pads on my pens.

Normally buy rolls of hook&loop abrasive from Hardware for Creative Finishes up to #600, but rarely go above #400. The quality is a bit variable, but the price is right.

Have also bought some other sizes (#100 and #150) at WWW shows.

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I like the Astra stuff but normally just punch discs out of whatever sheets have accumulated: Hermes, SIA, Klingspor. Norton also make sheets up to 1200.

I use Ubeaut's, have been for years

I did try the Astra Dot stuff a year or so back, and didn't like it. Just didn't cut fast enough. I have been using the discs from Vince for a couple of years, and they outlast anything else out there except the Ceramic abrasives, but seem to last just as long and at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost. I think it is manufactured in Korea. His web site is worth a visit.

Abrasives have really undergone huge leaps in quality in the last 10 years. The film (mylar or other plastic) backed discs are great, and the better abrasives are not electrostatically set into the backing rather than gravity/screened onto the backing for a much more consistent abrasive. Both 3M and Norton have ceramic abrasives available.

robo hippy

While I have been using Festool abrasives ( up to 4000), I was wondering whether anyone else makes abrasives to suit Festool's hole pattern.

Anything to suit here?

Thanks for all the replies, very interesting. I tend to buy my sand paper in bulk by the sq metre as its a better price. Then cut, chop etc to what ever I want as I need it.

TP1,
I have the Festool 5 inch random orbit sanders for my flat work, and after using their abrasives, have found them to be of pretty poor quality. I know Vince can cut 5 inch discs, but getting the holes to match is probably a problem. A leather hole punch on some plastic will do the job. I did e-mail them to comment on their abrasives, and got no response. I think we have a lot more different abrasives available to us as turners, than are available to the general flat work world.

robo hippy

I have the Festool 5 inch random orbit sanders for my flat work, and after using their abrasives, have found them to be of pretty poor quality. I know Vince can cut 5 inch discs, but getting the holes to match is probably a problem. A leather hole punch on some plastic will do the job. I did e-mail them to comment on their abrasives, and got no response. I think we have a lot more different abrasives available to us as turners, than are available to the general flat work world.

Not surprised,they didn't answer.I find alot of businesses don't bother to answer even positive inquiries

Most of the places that I have bought from go down to 80 & one place even had some 60.

I have put in an order to Vermec to try theirs 'cos they have 600 one in hook & loop.

Sanding

Vince does carry discs up to 2000 grit. I don't use them that often, but have them just in case.

robo hippy

I am also a fan of Vince's discs. The cut cleaner and last longer than the other 2 brands I used to use. One of them was Klingspor Gold. I don't remember the other brand off the top of my head.