In our  previous blog post covering the IWF Show in Atlanta we highlighted a few of the new products Indasa and Mirka showcased at the show. Ralph saw a few other items on display from both Mirka and Indasa that we think you will want to know about, so we’re covering them here. 

In addition to their new cover rolls,  Indasa Abrasives was also promoting a new line of sanding sponges specifically made for automotive finishing. They are designed for wet sanding, and are made to give a consistent, even finish across the five grits available in this product (medium, fine, superfine, ultrafine and microfine). 

In the Mirka booth, small sanders seemed to be all the rage. Mirka was displaying the  cordless AROS-B spot repair random orbit sander featuring a 1-1/4” (32mm) pad and a random orbit at 5mm. The brushless motor and 2.5 Ah battery allow for up to 16 hours of use in a package that is compact and lightweight, perfect for touchups. 

In the pneumatic line,  Mirka Abrasives was showing a new compact belt sander ideal for cleaning weld marks and seams along with rust removal in tight spaces. It uses 10 x 330mm belts that can be changed quickly without tools, and the angle of belt head can be adjusted with a hex wrench integrated into the handle. Low vibration and low noise features mean a more comfortable work environment for the user and co-workers alike. 

As fascinating as exploring the booths throughout the show is, we would be remiss if we didn’t point out one of the “must see” attractions at every IWF show, the  Design Emphasis contest. This is a competition for furniture designers and builders in college and technical school programs around the U.S. The entries are featured in a short video from Woodcademy – check it out! And while the Design Emphasis program is unique to IWF, many tradeshows have similar exhibits and contests designed to encourage and feature the next generation of men and women in the trades. Look for them at the next show you attend.