When it comes to woodworking, not all wood sands the same. Choosing the right abrasive for the material you're working with can make a noticeable difference in sanding performance, abrasive life, and the quality of your finished surface.
One of the first things to consider is whether you're working with a hardwood or softwood. While the names might make the difference seem simple, there's more going on beneath the surface.
What's the Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood?
Hardwoods typically come from slower-growing, broad-leaf trees, while most softwoods come from faster-growing species with needle-like foliage. Because hardwood trees generally grow more slowly, their wood tends to be denser and more durable.
For someone sanding wood, however, there's another important difference: natural resins and oils.
Many softwoods contain resins and oils that can transfer to the abrasive during sanding. As material accumulates between the abrasive grains, the sandpaper begins to load or clog. A loaded abrasive doesn't cut as efficiently, which can lead to more frequent abrasive changes, additional sanding time, and plenty of frustration.
That's where choosing the proper abrasive construction becomes important.
Closed Coat for Hardwood
A closed-coat abrasive has abrasive grain covering most of the surface of the backing.
This greater concentration of abrasive grain provides more cutting points and makes closed-coat products a good choice for many hardwood sanding applications.
When sanding dense hardwoods, the additional grain coverage can provide an efficient cut and help produce a consistent scratch pattern.
The Right Abrasive Makes a Difference
Choosing sandpaper shouldn't be an afterthought.
Consider the material you're sanding, the desired finish, and the abrasive construction before starting your next project. Selecting an abrasive suited to the wood can help provide:
- Reduced loading and clogging
- Longer abrasive life
- More consistent sanding performance
- A better finished surface
- Less frustration and downtime
Not Sure Which Abrasive You Need?
That's what we're here for!
KLINGSPOR's technical advisors can help you determine the right abrasive, grit, and product features for your particular woodworking application. The original article specifically recommends closed coat for hardwood and open coat and stearate coating for softwood.
Call 800-645-5555 or email ProductSupport@klingspor.com to speak with a KLINGSPOR technical advisor about your project.