Update on Abranet

They make up to at least 400 grit. I've tried it and it works great, and lasts a LONG time! You can blow it out with a compressor nozzle and it just keeps going.

-Jim Gott- San Jose, CA

The 'Abranet' abrasive samples I had sent from Mirka for the review on Creative Woodturning go up to 600 grit. On a quick test using the Abranet hand held it was found to be very good. Really easy to keep clean and appears to be long lasting.

I know it is difficult to fix to the normal 'Velcro' backed pads but as the original post mentions there is a special hook system used on the Abranet pads and this is available from the company.

'Abralon' which is Mirka's foam backed abrasive goes up to 4000 grit.

The full abrasives review will be posted on Creative Woodturning on completion.

Mike Swain

Thanks, I'll be waiting for the review. Is the URL: Creative Woodturning.com

I haven't found velcro that's long enough to work. The stuff we buy from Craft Supplies, Packard, etc, isn't long enough to hold it and it flies off. I use it handheld and it works fine.

-Jim Gott- San Jose, CA

Hi Denis,

I've added the Creative Woodturning URL below.

The review on abrasives will be a while yet, I had no idea there were so many different different ways to go. I was invited to Klingspor's factory in the UK a while back as part of the review and couldn't beleive how clean the place was, as for the technical side of making abrasives it's not quite rocket science but it's not far short.

Seeing this made me realise how much we take abrasives for granted, when really it's a tool that's just as important as any other we use.

I called in at a body shop the other day that I knew used 'Abranet' and they were more than pleased with its performance, the guy paying the bills because it was costing him less and the guys using it because it was cleaner to use and was more effecient.

Regards....Mike

Thanks for the comments. I am anxious to see the review. So far my comment is positive. Here I am having delimitation problems with abrasive's paper bought from one maverick Canadian supplier. So using products that perform well is like day and night.

I too, have use the 80 grit handheld. Like you said it works fine. I also have used the 80 grit Royal Plus with the 1/4 electric drill. It works well. The wood removal is a little slower and leaves an 80 grit finish. Compared to the Abranet that leaves a 120 finish. The paper does not delaminate.

****************************************************** Jim, Sewing supply stores usually have long lengths of Velcro. I found out about this while waiting for SWMBO to finish shopping at local store. Walmart usually has some in their Fabric/crafts section. Also, if you go through there with an open mind (thinking outside the box) you may find something that can easily be turned in a tool or accessory. The circular fabric cutters also mahe good paper cutters, or can mark wood when used with a straight edge; the steel knitting needles can be ground and used for detail work or a hook for removing shavings from hollow forms, etc. Amazing what you can discover at places where you thought you'd never go!! Ken Moon Webberville, TX