Replies

1. 
   Wil | Jan 21, 2003 01:37am | #1

   Garnet grit is sharper than aluminum oxide grit.

   Garnet grit breaks down more readily than AO , but in so doing, exposes new (finer) sharp grit.  AO just gets dull as it wears.

   Garnet is generally considered superior for hand sanding.

   AO is generally considered superior for power sanding.

2. 
   Paul_Snyder | Jan 21, 2003 05:20am | #2

   Both aluminum oxide (ALO) and garnet round over - garnet just does it a lot quicker.

   You're not missing anything, the guy you spoke with is mis-informed.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   plinthe | Jan 21, 2003 08:30am | #3

   Thanks to both of you for your replies. I see the subject is debatable! I do most of my sanding by hand since I finish with scrapers or hand planes; I guess I'll do a test...

1. 
   Paul_Snyder | Jan 22, 2003 03:14am | #4

   Plinthe - the characteristics of abrasive grits are well documented. I have a good reference on the subject ("The Wood Sanding Book" by Sandor Nagyszalanczy) but in a quick search on google, came up with this link - http://www.woodzone.com/articles/sandpaper/ . There are probably more links on the subject - I stopped with this one.

   The article at the link indicates that all aluminum oxide (ALO) grits are friable, but that's only true of the higher quality grits. Some of the lower quality ALO grits don't have this characteristic.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   plinthe | Jan 22, 2003 07:09am | #5

   Thanks Paul.

   Never thought of looking it up on google. Found a good article on the FWW site too. Most of the rest is what I'd thought it would be (sandpaper for sale). I'll spend more on the stuff (don't tell my wife...) and start comparing. Here goes another learning curve... Having had a few hairy experiences with staining and finishing, I'm trying to get the whole process down pat.

   Plinthe