Festool’s First-Ever Soft Foam Abrasive Lineup is Here
Festool has long been a prominent figure in the shops of Pro woodworkers and carpenters. The brand’s woodworking arsenal is extensive, particularly in the sanding department. Now, Festool is expanding its existing Granat abrasive lineup with a new soft foam design for detail sanding. I’m exploring these new abrasive accessories to see what they can help you achieve on your next project.
Festool Granat PROfile Abrasive Lineup Overview
- 1/2-inch Polyurethane Foam Backing: Adapts to curves and contours for smooth, even contact.
- Granat Abrasive Material: Equipped with Festool’s existing Granat abrasive material for longer sandpaper life and an even finish.
- Compatible with Various Materials: Use on wood, paint, plastic, acrylic, and more.
While foam backing for power sanders isn’t a brand-new concept. However, Festool is the first major power tool brand to offer a full lineup of foam-backed sanding accessories specifically for detail sanding with a power sander.
Each PROfile sanding pad is backed by a 1/2-inch (13mm) polyurethane layer, which conforms to complex, curved, and irregular surfaces. They deliver even, consistent results across a vast range of materials and coatings, including wood, paint, plastic, and even VOC-compliant clear coats and paint systems.
The PROfile sanding pads are equipped with Festool’s well-known Granat abrasive material, which the brand describes as self-sharpening, non-stick, and dust-repellent, providing a smooth and easy sanding experience with an even finish.
The Granat PROfile is available in three different grits for every stage of your project: Medium (120-150 grit), Fine (240-320 grit), and Super Fine (500-600 grit). Each PROfile sanding sheet attaches via a hook-and-loop system to your tool’s sanding pad, allowing for easy swapping between grits.
Shapes and Sizes
Festool produces a wide range of professional sanding equipment, and the Granat PROfile lineup caters to the entire roster. A variety of sizes and shapes are available to attach to your power sander for every level of material removal.
Below are the different Granat PROfile sanding pad types that Festool offers, along with the sanders they’re compatible with.
- 5-inch/6-inch round – Compatible with Festool Random Orbit Sanders
- Delta – Compatible with Festool Delta Finish Sanders
- Finish – Compatible with Festool Finish Orbital Sanders
- 3 x 4-inch – Compatible with any 3 x 4 Power Sander
Festool says that the 3×4-inch abrasives are compatible with any 3×4-inch power sander. However, the entire lineup would also be compatible with sanders from any brand that match the hole pattern of the discs.
Festool Granat PROfile Price
The price of these abrasives depends on their size and shape; however, they range in price from $20 to $32 for packs of 10. There are also mixed packs available for each shape, which include a variety of grit levels at the same price points.
Should You Buy It?
While Festool has offered standard Granat abrasives as part of their sanding lineup for some time, the same technology can now be applied to more intricate surfaces with the Granat PROfile sanding pads. The 1/2-inch foam layer easily contours around complex shapes and edges, providing a smoother finish than you’d get using flat abrasives.
These are more specialized accessories than standard sanding solutions, and the price reflects that. A 10-pack of PROfile discs costs around $30, while standard Granat sanding discs run about $50 to $60 for packs of 100. You can even find packs of value-brand sandpaper for under $20 at any hardware store.
However, if you frequently sand more complex projects, especially as a remodeler or restorer, the Festool Granat PROfile sanding accessories may be worth the price trade-off for an easier detail sanding experience.
