Cubitron Abrasives

[Rockable]

I was a little hesitant to buy the more expensive 3M Cubitron abrasives but took the dive. After the past couple of weeks of grinding MIG welds, I have to say that these are hands down the best abrasives I have ever used. These things cut like nothing else and they last a lot longer than regular abrasives. So far, I have been using the 2 and 3 inch roloc discs in 36 grit to cut welds and have now ordered some 60 grit and some 80 grit hookit discs for my D/A. I also bought some for my mini belt sander.

On the 2 & 3 inch discs, I have cut down a couple of roloc holders so that I can continue using the discs, as they are still good even when the edge wears out. So, I have a 2 inch roloc and a 1 3/4" and a 1" that I can use to get all the use out of them. I also did similar with the 3 inch roloc holders. If you haven't tried these, you are in for a treat. Bite the bullet and get them. Previously, I used 3M Green Corps discs and these are heads and shoulders better.

 

[RoninB4]

Have used plenty of abrasives but never used these. Appreciate the evaluation and will likely try.

 

[Jswain]

3m definitely kicks *** in that area. And I think you hit the sweet spot with 36grit as I find they hold up much better then finer grits for dirty work, but they are still easy to get a nice finish with.

The 3m cubitron flap discs are also very good.

3m as a whole is pretty damn good, you pay more but you actually get more. They also sell cheaper lines too

 

[tarbellb]

Yup my 3M Cubitron 5" hook n loop pads for orbital last forever

easy argument that you're actually saving money using them

 

[Beerhippie]

Yup.

I first tried Cubitron H&L pads on my RA sanders a year or so ago, buying a small sampler set from a boutique seller as they were only available in industrial quantities at the time. I now have industrial quantities! I use the Xtract style--like a heavy gauze for better dust extraction--and a shop vac as a dust collector. Using the 'vac about triples the life of the pads and makes for a much nicer finish as there are no clumps of sanding dust/abrasive building up to scar the work--and no wood-putty boogers!

I've recently been using 5-inch Cubitron fiber disks with a backer for my angle grinders. Never used anything that moves weldment like these!

I like the idea of buying several more backers and cutting them down so I can use more of the disks!

Between the RA sander and angle grinders, I don't think I'll ever use my hand-held belt sander again. I had to strip some old finish off of outdoor pub tables the other day, and was able to prove to myself that the Cubi 80+ grit on the RA sander was faster and more pleasant to use than the belt sander with 30 grit! For painting, the 80+ grit is a perfectly fine finish.

 

[dnschmidt]

We in the bodyshop world have always had a love/hate relationship with 3M. We love the stuff that they sell because it always works. We hate the fact that we have to pay twice as much for it. Prior to American Tape and Q1 finally getting their **** together 3M masking tape was the only tape that worked and we hated paying 3X for the stuff but we did it because it worked every time.

 

[Rockable]

We in the bodyshop world have always had a love/hate relationship with 3M. We love the stuff that they sell because it always works. We hate the fact that we have to pay twice as much for it. Prior to American Tape and Q1 finally getting their **** together 3M masking tape was the only tape that worked and we hated paying 3X for the stuff but we did it because it worked every time.

Their abrasives are tthatt much better, as well.

 

[American Locomotive]

While I haven't used the 3M Cubitron stuff specifically, I have used Norton Blaze (which is Norton's equivalent to Cubitron), and yeah, it's wild how much better the "premium" abrasives are. It's a very noticeable difference. It's downright scary how fast my 1" belt grinder will remove metal with a 36-grit Norton Blaze belt. Steel just evaporates.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I haven't tried 3M Cubitron but I am switching to Zirconia for future purchases !

 

[Rockable]

I haven't tried 3M Cubitron but I am switching to Zirconia for future purchases !

I don't know Zirconia. Why don't you buy some of both and give us some feedback on the difference.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't know Zirconia. Why don't you buy some of both and give us some feedback on the difference.

I don't consume enough ! I bought 10 of a couple different grits. That will last me a year or more !

 

[scooby074]

Cubitron are amazing.

 

[jsaw]

I have used Cubitron belts on My 3/8 x6 mini belt sander. They last a lot longer than other belts

 

[Sumboodie]

I've run them as well as Sigma Green, both work well.

 

[GaryM909]

I have both the 5” fibre disc which I use with my 5” angle grinder and the 9” ones that I rarely use but those will take the metal off. Both 36 grit.

 

[toplessHO]

Ive always said if I could marry into the Bush family to get 3M products for life I would.
In my younger years I worked on the "estate" in Winter Park.
It was the first time I had seen an elevator in a house(3 story).
Mrs Bush was a very nice lady,but sadly had no children.

 

[Rockable]

I have discovered one problem with Cubitron. The 3/8 x 13" belts in 36 grit do not work well on my mini belt grinder. The bend radius of the tip wheel is too tight for the 36 grit and it comes off the belt fairly quickly. 60 grit, however, works just fine and is recommended for this tool.

 

[RTM]

I have discovered one problem with Cubitron. The 3/8 x 13" belts in 36 grit do not work well on my mini belt grinder. The bend radius of the tip wheel is too tight for the 36 grit and it comes off the belt fairly quickly. 60 grit, however, works just fine and is recommended for this tool.

I had a few belts bow up in short order on mine. Some were conditioning belts.

 

[tarbellb]

Not saying they were BUT

abrasive belts have a distinct shelf life for the adhesive joint (they like to go pop)

 

[RTM]

Not saying they were BUT

abrasive belts have a distinct shelf life for the adhesive joint (they like to go pop)

Mine were in my hands less than One year. The abrasive separated from the belt on one, the joint split on the other.

 

[Davefr]

3m as a whole is pretty damn good, you pay more but you actually get more. They also sell cheaper lines too

Cubitron Extract Net discs remove the most material at the cheapest cost. (about $.50/5" disc). The downside is that they're pretty delicate for other than flat surfaces and they will destroy the hooks on your sander pads. (the hooks go right thru the thin mesh and get damaged).

 

[Beerhippie]

Cubitron Extract Net discs remove the most material at the cheapest cost. (about $.50/5" disc). The downside is that they're pretty delicate for other than flat surfaces and they will destroy the hooks on your sander pads. (the hooks go right thru the thin mesh and get damaged).

There's a cure for that, too: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BY8T788Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Currently out of stock on that item, but they're available from other sources. They go over the pad on your sander to protect the hooks from abrasion--not only from using thin, mesh disks but also for when the disk flies off. At about $5 each, they're cheap insurance for the $20-30 pad of your sander. They also help with dust collection, as they, too, are made from a mesh that air can flow through.

 

[American Locomotive]

Cubitron Extract Net discs remove the most material at the cheapest cost. (about $.50/5" disc). The downside is that they're pretty delicate for other than flat surfaces and they will destroy the hooks on your sander pads. (the hooks go right thru the thin mesh and get damaged).

Are the 3M net discs any good? I tried the diablo "SandNet" discs and found that they wore out fast and got torn to shreds rapidly if you had any corners or even slightly sharp edges.

 

[bwringer]

I've always heard this about Cubitron stuff, but never had enough sanding to do to put down the cash and give it a try.

Good to have this confirmed.

 

[afinepoint]

I've heard good things about them. So much so they sit on my Amazon list for ready reference and ordering.

 

[Beerhippie]

@American Locomotive : The Xtract disks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098SPMB92/?tag=atomicindus08-20 are what I use. I think these are what you mean?

I use them mostly for refinishing outdoor furniture at the pub, and frequently I'm also easing sharp edges on wood. No durability problems, but I sand with the entire disk on the material, not just the edge of the disk.

PS: The 80+ grit is what I use about 80% of the time. Combined with the use of a dust collection system, they leave a smoother finish than they should, while still hogging material!

If you just want to try them out, here's a nice selection package: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DFGPSZZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also use the 5" solid fiber disks with a semi-flexible pad on my angle grinder for the rough stuff--like heavy paint on picnic tables and cleaning up welds. Again, keeping the disk flat to the material is the trick to a smooth finish and long disk life.

 

[jmdirk]

I have discovered one problem with Cubitron. The 3/8 x 13" belts in 36 grit do not work well on my mini belt grinder. The bend radius of the tip wheel is too tight for the 36 grit and it comes off the belt fairly quickly. 60 grit, however, works just fine and is recommended for this tool.

When I read your initial post I was going to come in a say that I totally agree, with one exception. The exact same 3/8 x 13" 36 grit belts. I haven't had an issue with them breaking or anything, but on my cheap HF belt grinder, they just don't last very long.

I think I read somewhere that using too aggressive of a grit at too high of a speed and then just wear right down. And in the case of my cheap grinder, if I turn the air down too much it just stalls and it's too hard for me to modulate to a slower speed with the trigger.

 

[35k0]

I am new to knife making and I bought some 2x72 cubitron belts and man they cut real nice!

 

[Rockable]

I believe we have 2 different groups responding to this thread: 1) metal workers and 2) wood workers. My testing is for metal work. I have no idea how they will perform for wood.

 

[scooby074]

Are the 3M net discs any good? I tried the diablo "SandNet" discs and found that they wore out fast and got torn to shreds rapidly if you had any corners or even slightly sharp edges.

I dont use the net discs, but use the 3m fibre discs on a backing pad. Sharp edges will shred them for sure. I use a traditional stone disk when grinding anything sharp. Even rounding corners you need to be careful, I go from the centre of the disc to the outside edge so as not to hook the disc on the point when rounding/ All my use is metalworking BTW

 

[Beerhippie]

I believe we have 2 different groups responding to this thread: 1) metal workers and 2) wood workers. My testing is for metal work. I have no idea how they will perform for wood.

I'm using them for both. But, then, I am a known iconoclast.

RA sander w/Xtract disks for wood, angle grinder w/rigid fiber disks and backer for metal. Mostly. Not always. Angle grinder is handy for removing heavy wood finishes and doing a fast rough smoothing; RA sander can make a fine finish on stainless steel.

 

[Davefr]

I rec'd my Cubitron II variety pack yesterday from Amazon. (5" 775L). Compared to Mirka Gold and Norton, these discs easily outperform and outlast the others by at least 2:1 and maybe 3:1 in woodworking (hardwood burls which are tough to sand). I took an 80 grit disc that I thought would have been worn out and put it under the microscope at 15X and there were still plenty of sharp Cubitron abrasive edges left. The variety pack on Amazon is a killer deal. 15 discs for <$10. The only problem with the variety packs is that 80 grit is the workhorse for woodworking with the finer grits have an easier job and you'll likely need to supplement them with more 80's. My only issue with 775L is the dust collection is poor. Those spiral holes just seem too small to **** out dust efficiently. (hence the potential advantage of going with 710W Xtract discs)

Thank you 3M for making a miserable task a little less miserable!


These are what I tried:

Amazon.com

 

[Fixr]

Thread revival: Does anyone know where I could get a single 7'x7/8" 36 grit 982CX Pro fiber disc for a reasonable cost including shipping? Or even a 5 inch one? I want to try one before committing to buying a pack.

 

[Beerhippie]

Thread revival: Does anyone know where I could get a single 7'x7/8" 36 grit 982CX Pro fiber disc for a reasonable cost including shipping? Or even a 5 inch one? I want to try one before committing to buying a pack.

Just save the time and trouble and get the pack of them. There are only 5 in the pack and you won't regret it--until you wish you'd ordered two packs.

 

[slowtwitch73]

They've been at it for a while.

 

[Beerhippie]

They've been at it for a while.

NIICE!

 

[tarbellb]

Thread revival: Does anyone know where I could get a single 7'x7/8" 36 grit 982CX Pro fiber disc for a reasonable cost including shipping? Or even a 5 inch one? I want to try one before committing to buying a pack.

Honestly if you went into your local welding supply house and ask them exactly this- I bet they would offer one


And if they don't, another nail in the coffin for local supply houses

 

[Fixr]

Honestly if you went into your local welding supply house and ask them exactly this- I bet they would offer one


And if they don't, another nail in the coffin for local supply houses

Might not work, but sure sounds like it would be worth a try. This isn't a heavily industrial area, so the local suppliers are mostly small. But still...

 

[Beerhippie]

Well, hell. It's only about 70 hours' drive to here and I'll GIVE you one!

If you buy a beer, of course.

 

[Fixr]

Well, hell. It's only about 70 hours' drive to here and I'll GIVE you one!

If you buy a beer, of course.

Bring it by. I'll buy you a beer and a burger!