Which budget sandpaper should I buy for my ROS

[qwertyu]

Yesterday I bought a Bosch Random Orbital Sander - GEX 125-1 AE Professional.

I bought some diablo sanding discs to go with it but I want to stock up now - what do people recommend? I notice there is some cheap ones on ebay 10pc 5" 125mm 8 Hole Hook Loop Sanding Discs 60-2000 Grit Orbital Sandpaper Pad | eBay

Its much cheaper. Would a diablo pad = 5 of these?

OR this 200x 125mm 5" HOOK & LOOP SANDING DISCS PAD DRYWALL 8 HOLE ORBITAL 120 180 240 # | eBay

its about half the price compared to diablo.

If anyone can recommend some much appreciated! (Im happy to keep switching pads if it is ultimately cheaper)

[Enfield Guy]

Quality paper is important. Lookup The Sandpaperman. Forum sponsor and supplier of quality products.

[Alkahestic]

Get the Sia papers that Sandpaper Man carries. Poor quality cheap sandpaper is false economy in terms of dollars, finish quality, and your time. I find the Sia sandpaper gives more consistent results for much longer than Diablo sheets. Smith and Arrow may be ok but I've never used it

You'll find cheap sandpaper has inconsistent grit sizing, clogs easily, and the abrasive either falls off the paper when you look at it sideways or is worn away in a few seconds.

[Mr Brush]

The Sia papers are fantastic - better results, and the alox/zirconia grits last 3-4 times longer than other papers. I've used Sia on Festool sanders for ages now in preference to the genuine Festool papers.

You'll find Sandpaper Man is great to deal with, and only stocks quality products.

[Enfield Guy]

The new Norton and Sia ceramic abrasives are very long lasting, expensive seemingly, but last for ages, and I mean Ages!!!

[Simplicity]

Again the sandpaper man.
Or if you can find the thread written by
Fence furniture he did an excellent review on orbital sandpapers awhile back.
Cheers Matt

[FenceFurniture]

Yes, "rogue grits" - a larger particle than it should be for the grit declaration - can be very expensive in terms of time (and papers).

With abrasives you get what you pay for. I use a range of Alum Zirconia and ceramic grits on plastic film that are fairly expensive at face value, but last for a staggeringly long time, and are therefore cheap as chips. This also helps in terms of how much abrasive paper I have to store here, and how often I have to change discs on a big job.

[Tony ray]

I use the Makita white discs but they do not seem to last long. Bought a 50 pack of 80g from Home hardware in Belmont today for 26$ which I thought was a good price.


Edit Geez those ones from Hong Kong are cheap.

[Arron]

Several times I’ve bought sandpaper disks off eBay and it hasn’t really worked out. I’ll give another vote for Sandpaperman. I’ve bought from him a couple of times and been very happy - some of the disks just kept on going and going but sorry but I don’t remember which of his brands it was.

I don’t consider Diablo a good brand, maybe middle market at best. The Sandpaperman disks outlasted the diablos by several times.

Have to say - I know sandpaper is expensive and none of us like paying for it but if you’re chewing through it could it be a matter of technique. Pushing too hard, maybe?

Cheers
Arron

[FenceFurniture]

Pushing too hard, maybe?

That'll do it. Decent equipment + decent abrasives = let them do the work for you. You shouldn't really be pressing too hard at all - just enough to guide things around securely.

Also clogging of the paper through poor or no DE is a big killer of discs. They get hot, which leads to more clogging, so they get hotter.....

Another thing that too few people do is use the speed control. TURN IT DOWN if you can, especially on lacquers/paints etc. Paint loves to melt and clag the papers.

[qwertyu]

Thanks guys. Is there any promotion at sandpaperman for being a forum member?

Im not chewing through it as such - the diablo pads are only the second time in my life ive bought sandpaper! I am a newbie.

[derekcohen]

Another alternativem if you want to save money on sandpaper disks, get Abranet. They will cost you a few times more than you are planing to spend, however the disks last a very long time. In the end you will save money. You will need to get a Mirka "pad saver" as well (as otherwise the hook and loop pad will wear).

Regards from Perth

Derek

[qwertyu]

thanks derek. Just on the pad saver - how does it work? Is it just an intermediate layer that goes in between?

[derekcohen]

Here is a link to the pad protector: Mirka 77mm, 125mm, 150mm Abranet Pad Savers / Pad protectors **ALL SIZES**

It is placed on the sander pad, and the disk goes onto this.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Bob38S]

As others have said above.

Reminds me a little of the analogy of the motorbike rider, if you value your head at $20 then buy a $20 helmet.

If you value your time, effort and material then go with the best you can afford. I understand and agree that $ spent do not necessarily equate to quality but quality does cost more than, "She'll be right or That will do," which appears to be the attitude of some of the cheapie manufacturers.