Finishing Koa — "Many Different Ways."

Andrea started by gluing a block to the bottom of another sample board. We use hot melt glue so rarely in the shop but when things like thins need a quick glue, it sure comes in handy.
	New products have been on the shelf for the last few months, and now it is fun to get a chance to use them.  I was certainly looking forward to trying these Norton blue belts. I have been using my trusty PorterCable 3" x 21" belt for years. Wearing out and having clogged belts seemed to just come with the territory.    So when the product manager asked me if I would try these NorZon 3 belts, I happily said yes and then put them aside for tryout later.
With a nice assortment of 36, 50, and 120 grit belts, I thought that it would make easy and fast work of Andrea's Koa sample.
	One thing you notice right of the bat is that there is no arrow printed on the inside of the belt. These new belts can be mounted in either direction. That may sound silly to even mention except, the arrows can be hard to see after using several times.
The hot melt glue has set now and Andrea fits the sample board into the Workmate.
	Andrea clamps the piece into the Workmates jaws.
Andrea starts out with the 36 grit belt in place. This is way too coarse a grit for use here, but since it was sent to me, I decided to try it. It is aggressive, of course, but using it semi-across the grain, it worked well at evening out the heavy rough saw marks. It took less than a minute with very light pressure to "plane" the surface.
	Andrea makes a quick belt change to the next grit — 50. Notice the belts in the background. The left one is the 36 grit she just removed. She hasn't used it that much yet, but the belt is brand, spanking new looking. Norton calls their new surface "premium, self-sharpening zirconia alumina abrasive," and that is why the blue belts last up to 3-times longer than typical aluminum oxide belts. We have barely used them so far, but will be looking forward to this plus performance.
Oh the grain is starting to look so good. Andrea is now using the 120 grit belt and sanding only with the grain.
	She feels the nice smoothness of the surface. For the oil finish, I think I would have continued up through 180 or 220 grit, but this is where we will stop this time.
Andrea is a lot like I am — she can't wait to see the grain "pop" out. She uses the Watco penetrating oil with a buffing pad to apply the first coat.    You should note that the new blue Norton paper is available everywhere or so I thought. I couldnt find them in the Rockler or Woodcraft catalogs, but I have seen them in the local Woodcraft store. Anything that can make sanding easier and better is good in my books. I wish that they made rolls for use with my Performax belt sander.