Starcke's abrasive range covers everything from initial coarse cutting-back through to fine buffing between coats, across four abrasive types and hole patterns matched to specific machines.
Four Abrasive Types for Different Stages
Starcke's 178mm edging discs use silicon carbide, with an open-coat design that resists heat build-up and clogging during continuous edging work. Sanding belts come in zirconia (built to handle more heat and pressure, suited to heavier, sustained belt-sander use) and aluminium oxide (a versatile all-rounder valued for aggressive, timesaving cuts). Ceramic abrasives sit at the premium end of the range, generally offering the longest working life under sustained heavy use.
Matching Disc Size and Hole Pattern to Your Machine
150mm discs with 8+1 holes are built for Festool sanders' dust extraction ports, while 178mm discs without holes suit Bona Edge and other 178mm-compatible edgers. Beyond these, 400mm and 407mm sizes cover larger buffing and floor pad machines — a different job entirely from the smaller edging and orbital-format discs, used for the finishing and maintenance stage rather than aggressive material removal.
Sanding Belts: Sizing and Construction
Belts come in 200x750mm (8") and 250x750mm (10") widths, spanning grits from 24 (aggressive cutting-back) to 120 (final finishing), and are joined using kevlar tape in either a straight or finger-type joint — a detail that affects how smoothly the joint passes over the floor during sanding.
Working Through the Full Grit Range
Starcke's range spans from 16 grit (the coarsest, for stripping old finishes and levelling boards) through to 1200 grit at the fine end, typically used between coats of finish rather than on bare wood. Working progressively through the grits — coarse, medium, then fine — gives a better result than jumping straight to a fine grit on an uneven or previously finished floor.
Common Questions About Starcke Abrasives
What's the difference between zirconia and ceramic abrasives?
Zirconia handles heat and pressure well, suited to heavy, sustained belt-sander use. Ceramic sits above it, generally offering the longest working life under the most demanding, continuous use.
Do I need 400mm or 407mm discs for a standard floor sander?
No — these larger sizes are for buffing and floor pad machines used in the finishing and maintenance stage, not the edging or drum sanders used for initial material removal.
How do I know which hole pattern I need?
Match it to your machine: 8+1 holes for Festool, no holes for Bona Edge and similar 178mm edgers. The wrong pattern reduces dust extraction even if the disc technically fits.
What grit should I use between coats of finish?
Very fine grits, from around 180 up through 600-1200, are typically used between coats rather than on bare wood, giving a smooth surface for the next layer without cutting into the finish below.
