Sandpaper for new sander

[Flem]

My sander is almost finished and I need to order some roll material so I can start making some dust. Any recommendations for abrasive type, grit, source?
Thanks in advance

[Roy from Pa]

http://www.supergrit.com/

I use 60 grit on my drum sander.

I also buy lots of 100 sheets of sandpaper.

[Flem]

I should have mentioned, it's a drum sander, 4.5"X18".

[Roy from Pa]

Cool, they sell paper for that. Comes on a roll.

[BMorv]

That's a pretty cool sander...

[C. Johnson]

Industrialabrasives.com  60 grit roll 3" wide.  I forget how long it is.  This is what I use for my drum sander.

[Shredd]

I am new to zirconia abrasives...  I am on the fence about them on a thickness sander... They are very aggressive and seem to fuzz up maple lams... I went from a 60 to 80 grit and I like it a little better... I might try a 100 grit on there next...  I would like to try a 50 or 60  Zirc grit on my belt / edge sander...  I think it will work great on there...   I also just started using 2" wide roll on my thickness sander...  I like how it wraps better than the 3" wide roll...
   If  I were you I would start out with some 60 or 80 alum. oxide and see how you like it...  Either one will work for you... It's just a matter of preference...  And down the line try some 100 grit zirc...  It is sharp and aggressive and it will probably sand like 60 or 80 alum. oxide...

Nice sander....  How did you make it... Is that PVC pipe???   I hope it sands true for you...  That is really important...  Good Luck...  I hope it kicks assss...

[Flem]

It's PVC wrapped around some mdf discs on a 1" shaft. I checked it and it's less than .004 out of round and I have not trued the drum yet. Should be O.K. To roll.

[C. Johnson]

I am new to zirconia abrasives...  I am on the fence about them on a thickness sander... They are very aggressive and seem to fuzz up maple lams... I went from a 60 to 80 grit and I like it a little better... I might try a 100 grit on there next... 

I've been thinking of trying the zirconia abrasives too.  Do they hold up better on fiberglass?

Also the 100 grit abrasives, I am going to try it on veneers under clear glass.  I'm thinking I might get better definition of the wood grain through the glass this way.  What is your experience?

As for the thickness sander?  Best improvement to my shop yet.  I honestly don't know how I ever got along without it.

[Flem]

Thanks for the recommendations. I ended up buying directly from Red Label Abrasives. Went for the Zirconia in 80 grit, since I plan on using it to grind glass also. Worked out to $.57 per ft.@3" wide. I think Supergrit had better prices, but I liked that Red Label is made here.

[Shredd]

Yeah Craig...  I think the zirc will stand up well to glass... The 100 grit will be a good choice... If it is still too aggressive take some 100 grit alum. oxide paper and lightly touch it to the drum while it is spinning... That will take it down a notch... Remember, just lightly... You can always go back over it...