Everybody needs sanding have been quicker and simpler, so I jumped on the likelihood to check out two pretty new disks: Mirka’s brand-new Ultimax Ligno and the considerably comparable 3M Xtract Cubitron II Internet Disk 710W, which has been out for a few years. Each embrace high-tech ceramic abrasives and prepare their abrasive grains in clusters, with gaps between them. The clustered abrasives are meant to chop extra aggressively, and the gaps to funnel air between them, which retains the sanding course of cooler and permits more-efficient mud assortment. The 3M disks use a porous internet materials because the substrate, whereas Mirka’s disks are strong, with a common gap sample referred to as “Multifit.” Mud assortment was excellent with each.
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| 3M Xtract Cubitron II Internet Disk 710W | |
I in contrast the disks to one another and to 2 more-standard varieties of disks: Festool’s Granat line and a budget-friendly possibility referred to as Dura-Gold Premium. In my assessments for the speed of fabric elimination (effectivity), the 3M disks stood out considerably, sanding away 28 grams of wooden. Mirka eliminated 12 grams, and the Festool and Dura-Gold disks eliminated 10 grams every.
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| Mirka’s Ultimax Ligno | |
To check floor high quality, I ready either side of the identical maple boards for ending by sanding methodically via the grits: 120, 180, 220, and 320. Then I utilized two coats of hard-wax oil to at least one aspect and a coat of stain to the opposite.
The surfaces prepped with the Mirka disks had a a lot increased sheen and smoother floor than these produced by the 3M disks. There have been no issues with the stained pattern surfaces, although they displayed the identical variations in sheen. To seek out out if these variations would matter beneath a film-forming end, I sprayed the samples with lacquer. As I anticipated, as soon as I constructed up a movie, the variations disappeared.
I plan to maintain each of those new disks readily available—the speedy 3M disks to be used with movie finishes, and the fine-polishing Mirka disks for penetrating finishes.
—Adam Godet is a professional woodworker in Washington, D.C.
Superb Woodworking Advisable Merchandise
Mirka Abranet
Mesh materials permits for max mud assortment, and versatile for any orbital sander.
Craftsman Random Orbit Sander
Whereas this sander is among the many least costly fashions within the take a look at, its efficiency ranks among the many greatest. The inventory elimination was wonderful, and dirt assortment was strong when used with a vacuum. It handles actually easily, too, and has a tall physique that match my hand properly whether or not I used to be holding it from above or across the waist.
Preppin’ Weapon
The Preppin’ Weapon means that you can use a 1/4 of a sheet of sandpaper, extremely snug to make use of, and you may swap out sandpaper simply.
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