What grits to use?

[wixy]

I'm about to order some sanding discs for my random orbital sander (first time sanding anything).

I'm sanding marine plywood which I aim to finish with a stain and varnish.

Just so I don't order anything I don't really need, can anyone recommend what grits to order?

I'm thinking 120, 240, 400, 800 and 1200.

[Tex B]

On a boat, I'd stop at 180. The varnish should fill in fine from there.

Tex

[wixy]

Thanks Tex, although it is not for a boat, it is for a speaker. I'm aiming for a pretty high quality finish.

[Harry72]

It depends on what type of finish your going to use?

[old_picker]

mirror finish is up to 2000 & 2500 if your obsessed then swirl remover and polish - better have the right finish though - what are you using??

[wixy]

Not sure what finish i'm using yet, probably something basic.

[LGS]

If you are after a really fine finish and have a 150mm diameter ROS, try to get some Festool Platin 2 pads at 2000 and 4000g. You will notice the difference!!

[ubeaut]

My preferance is for: 120 (only for really rough stuff) 180, 240, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1200, and for a finer finish 1500 +

I'm talking about grits for ROS

Cheers - Neil

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Wot Neil said.

It may sound paradoxical but the extra grits actually save on sanding time, 'cos you don't need to sand as long with any intermediate grit to remove the marks from the previous. (Sanding beyond the marks is pointless... that's when you should move to the next finest grit. )

[STAR]

When you get to the finer high number grits do you use wet and dry paper or does it come in dry form. Where do you get the higher grits from, eg. 400 to 1500

Thanks

[ubeaut]

Try paint shops that supply the automotive trade. It is ok to use wet n dry but you can get dry grits up to 1500 pretty readily and even 2000 and above if you try. The Wet n Dry is more readily available though in the finer grits.


Word of warning don't buy cheap stuff as most of the abrasive grit will end up in the timber or on the floor. The better abrasives manufacturers make sure the grit stays on the paper and does the job it was made for. Hermes Abrasives, SIA, Norton, Noritake, are all excellent and if it's for a ROS then the Festool stuff is also extremely good.

Cheers - Neil

[wixy]

I bought some Norton sandpaper discs up to 1500 grit for my ROS from www.thesandpaperman.com.au

They arrived today. Excellent prices, I recommend this store! I will definately be making another order again sometime.