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[b]I havecontacted Griz on this several times[b.]I have the Griz 18" open end drum sander since it first came out. Great sander and no problems with it (once one can get it set up) Maybe the only pain in the rear is the mehtod for putting in the papaer. That said it is better than the way they did or do thier 16" and 24 dual drums with taping the ends down.

Since I have had the sander, I have used their abrasive. Not bad stuff, but sure not as good as other makers. I think it is Plum Star. I can do up to 5 sets even with coco on a roll.

I however after talking with Griz about the amount on a roll for several years would not recommend buying it from them. One roll is 120" and it takes 87" or little more for the drum, leaving almost 3 ft of waste. Sure the waste can be used, but that is a lot of waste in my mind. I am now looking at another source (Wud) for abrasive. Might be more expensive, but if not having to buy a new roll every time I change is worth it.

I figured you'd get more responses. I use aluminum zirconia from Klingspor on my Jet sander. I buy it it 50 meter rolls. You can get 18 meter rolls too. Klingspor Woodworking Shop is a local company for me. They deliver to my shop. I haven't really researched prices. It's really convinent for me to order from them.
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/category.aspx?id=22&f4=ALUMINUM+ZIRCONIA

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I get my abrasives from here, www.econabrasives.com/index.php? , great prices and abrasives.

Chuck

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I concur with Woody. Klingspor abrasives are great. I too buy in rolls and cut it to fit my sander.

On the advice of a sales guy, I recently bought a 50 meter roll of SIA "Sialox" abrasive.
Product #2925. It's blue...
It's about the same price as the Klingspor, but it seems to clog a little less easily.
So far, I like it.
I find the best way to save drum sander abrasive is to remove most of the material with a Saf-T-Planer. Especially if you use a lot of the oilier woods, like Cocobolo.

red hill abrasives (PA) their green coated 3in wide roll lasts a long time on my 16-32 sander

I use Industrial Abrasives out of Reading PA . They offer a no loading paper that works great in my wide belt sander and my friend uses it on his double drum. Not very expensive but it is a longer lasting paper. One thing I can tell you is that 60 grit may be your best choice . Too fine a grit and you can build up heat .
Once the heat is in the wood you pull up resins that clog the paper.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it