Random Orbital Sander, which padsaver?

[pe2dave]

New 5" ROS, advice seems to be to use a padsaver?
Any buying advice / experience please

 

[marcros]

I used a mirka one from rest express. My sander is 150mm but they list a few options.

https://restexpress.co.uk/View/22170/mirka-pad-saver-disc
The only thing that I would warn against is the slight softness to it which has the potential to round edges. That actual pad on my sander is the same, the saver itself doesn't cause this.

 

[bp122]

I used a mirka one from rest express. My sander is 150mm but they list a few options.

https://restexpress.co.uk/View/22170/mirka-pad-saver-disc
The only thing that I would warn against is the slight softness to it which has the potential to round edges. That actual pad on my sander is the same, the saver itself doesn't cause this.

I have come across this on my metabo as well where the stock pad causes the edges to round over slightly. How can one avoid or minimize this?

 

[pe2dave]

Keep the sander flat to the surface and hold lightly?
I would think it's the pressure that causes it to fold over the edges?

 

[marcros]

Yes I think so. The festool has a super hard backer, I am not aware of any others that do and I don't have the festool to compare with.

Just one of those things that you need to be aware of when using it.

 

[Droogs]

+1 for Mirka, but then I use Abranet and Autonet almost exclusively

 

[pe2dave]

The pad savers (Mirka) are a mismatch in hole pattern for my DeWalt sander. Thanks for the info though.

 

[Ollie78]

Go to a car paint or automotive tool supplier they will likely have some. Try Morrells too.
To avoid worrying about the holes start using abranet, you wont go back, also the Morrels brand abranet is cheaper and still made by mirka.

Ollie

 

[pe2dave]

Go to a car paint or automotive tool supplier they will likely have some. Try Morrells too.
To avoid worrying about the holes start using abranet, you wont go back, also the Morrels brand abranet is cheaper and still made by mirka.

Ollie

I’m not following Ollie, what have paint shops got to do with padsaver please?
I’ll have a look at abranet - not heard of it

 

[pe2dave]

Found https://www.mirka.com/abrasives/net-sanding-range/ Looks useful

 

[Ollie78]

Sorry for the confusion.

Car paint suppliers like car paint warehouse stock products like sanding spares because their customers get through tons of them.
They will stock air powered sanders and stuff like Mirka Deros, good 3m abrasives, abranet, dust masks, tack rags, gloves etc.
Because a lot of the components for sanders are a sort of industry standard you can get the same stuff cheaper there than at a specialist woodwork supplier like axminster etc. They will stock air sanders as well as stuff like Mirka deros, good 3m abrasives, dust masks, gloves etc.

That link is for the abranet we have mentioned, it is a very good product, because of the mesh it can fit any hole pattern for great extraction, i have a hand sanding block with holes that goes on a vacuum hose for more delicate or final finishing. You will notice the difference.
You can get abranet from many places but the cheapest I have found was Morrells who are a specialist wood paint supplier, they have their own brand of abranet which is actually made by Mirka. They also sell mirka sanders and will have pad savers too.

Ollie

 

[pe2dave]

Thanks for the details Ollie.
Confusion: The Mira site lists abranet max for wood? Product group ABO. Sites selling 125mm disks just name it as abranet?

As you indicate, the car shops as main customer, are we likely to one of the other groups - should I be asking for a specific type of abranet, looking at Product Search For instance - no choice?

[Sorry about the link - no option to insert in iPad]

 

[petermillard]

Let me be the voice of dissent and say that I’ve never used a padsaver, don’t like the way they soften the pad - makes it too easy to round over narrow edges. Not a fan of abranet either - I know, sacrilege; I expect to be burnt at the stake at the next clan gathering.

 

[Ollie78]

pe2dave

I just use the normal abranet (not ace, max or hd) I did try some max in 80 grit for some heavy paint removal , it is sort of thicker mesh but didn`t seem to work any better particularly.

petermillard

I agree about the edge rounding with the padsaver and dont really use one often.
There are some who dissagree with sanding at all, stating a planed finish superior and muttering about microbevels, they would burn us all at the stake.
I do like the abranet though, What is your preference instead?

Ollie

 

[Droogs]

For 150 grit and below, I would recommend the disks below. They are made of carbide and though cost a bit they will outlast anything else to the same value you can find in my experience. Once you go above 150gr then Abranet or Autonet will do you proud. Doesn't matter which you get. Most of the time I use Auto net as it goes to a high grit than Abranet that I can get around my way. If you want pm me and I will send you a few to try, they are hook and loop - the mirka stuff, the dura-grit i stand by charlton heston - cold dead hands

https://duragrit.com/DuraDisc-Carbide-Sanding-Disc.html

 

[petermillard]

...petermillard

I agree about the edge rounding with the padsaver and dont really use one often.
There are some who dissagree with sanding at all, stating a planed finish superior and muttering about microbevels, they would burn us all at the stake.
I do like the abranet though, What is your preference instead?

Ollie

My biggest issue with Abranet is that the grits are coarser than others that I’ve tried ie P120 abranet is more like a P80 with other abrasives, so it ends up being one more thing to have to think about, which is never a good idea in a busy workflow. Secondly the hook and loop on abranet really doesn’t play nicely with the Festool sanding pads - you need to use an interface pad, which brings other niggles... And I find it to be a bit delicate around the edges as well.

I used Granat for years, recently tried some 877 from AmicusUK which is good but awkward to get hold of. Currently have some of the Trend’s new range of abrasives to try out; works very nicely, especially the mesh, which is washable. Also very tough backing material, and excellent hook & loop.

 

[bjm]

I've tried a range of abrasives over the years and I keep going back to the Bosch (gold).

 

[pe2dave]

For 150 grit and below, I would recommend the disks below. They are made of carbide and though cost a bit they will outlast anything else to the same value you can find in my experience. Once you go above 150gr then Abranet or Autonet will do you proud. Doesn't matter which you get. Most of the time I use Auto net as it goes to a high grit than Abranet that I can get around my way. If you want pm me and I will send you a few to try, they are hook and loop - the mirka stuff, the dura-grit i stand by charlton heston - cold dead hands

https://duragrit.com/DuraDisc-Carbide-Sanding-Disc.html

Thanks for the offer Droogs. I (may) have the same issue with hole alignment (I bought DeWalt 5").
For this aspect the abranet makes sense with the open weave.
From what you(and others) are saying, the Mirka variants don't make much of a difference for wood?
TBH, above 150 grit, I think I'd be sanding by hand for a finish?

 

[pe2dave]

My biggest issue with Abranet is that the grits are coarser than others that I’ve tried ie P120 abranet is more like a P80 with other abrasives, so it ends up being one more thing to have to think about, which is never a good idea in a busy workflow. Secondly the hook and loop on abranet really doesn’t play nicely with the Festool sanding pads - you need to use an interface pad, which brings other niggles... And I find it to be a bit delicate around the edges as well.

I used Granat for years, recently tried some 877 from AmicusUK which is good but awkward to get hold of. Currently have some of the Trend’s new range of abrasives to try out; works very nicely, especially the mesh, which is washable. Also very tough backing material, and excellent hook & loop.

<grin/> Trust Peter to bring in other options! I'll look at the Trend offering
Oddly, I'd assumed the 'courser' aspect to abranet - same way those cloths I used for lathe finishing were courser than similar sand paper.
Thanks for the hook and loop info (unless that is just a Festool issue?)

Bit like a Tesco hypermarket - too many b... options!

Tks Peter.

 

[petermillard]

...Thanks for the hook and loop info (unless that is just a Festool issue?)

Bit like a Tesco hypermarket - too many b... options!

Tks Peter.

Sorry, I should have been clearer; Festool have their own hook & loop (of course they do...) and Abranet doesn’t work well with it. Other brands work just fine, so I’d have to presume that Mirka chose not to support Festool with Abranet. So, six of one, half-dozen of the other.