Sand Paper quality

[Aaron_W]

Just curious what makes sand paper "good" vs "bad".

I generally buy 3M which I assume is basically the standard that other brands are compared to. I've occasionally bought bargain brands when that is what was available, or I had something small to do and was away from my stash of sand paper. I don't find 3M expensive, but I guess $6.99 for a 5 pack vs $9.99 for a 50 pack, then yeah in bulk I guess so.

Some of the cheap stuff has a noticeably thinner backing paper to the point that sanding a sharp corner could punch through, but once I was aware it was easy enough to use a little care and get the job done.

Is that about the end of it? Cheap sand paper doesn't hold up as well? I've not run across inconsistent grits so far.

Any horror stories from using cheap sand paper?

Other than super high grits which tend to be limited to better quality brands (so required to get the desired finish) has really good sand paper ever made a job much better?

Just curious because I do see people occasionally make a comment about not going cheap on sand paper, or bagging on Harbor Freight sand paper (only cheaper brand I could possibly name off the top of my head), but it seems like a funny hill to die on from my experiences with good and cheap sand paper. It is rough paper, not a highly technical device.

 

[AldeanFan]

Yes,
Cheap sandpaper clogs or doesn’t last as long as better paper.
You might save 50% buying cheap paper but you’ll use twice as much.

 

[Aaron_W]

Yes,
Cheap sandpaper clogs or doesn’t last as long as better paper.
You might save 50% buying cheap paper but you’ll use twice as much.

That I can easily believe.

 

[ichabod]

I have been impressed by Starcke sand paper.

 

[lolaetype]

Maybe it's changed but years ago I bought sandpaper and Harbor Freight. The price was right, the quality wasn't. The stuff lost its abrasive qualities way to quickly, IMO. Now I generally buy 3M.

 

[wssix99]

3M is cheap sand paper. (If its a staple at Home Depot or Lowes, its not professional grade...) I learned this the hard way when building my house and someone left behind some Norton sandpaper. I'm never going back. It lasts 10X longer and doesn't fall apart.

 

[Hank11]

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40065039/

Is good stuff. On a 5 “ orbital Bosch it cuts fast and clean.

But there’s lots of different kinds of sandpaper and what you are sanding might want something different.

 

[KansasArt]

3M is cheap sand paper. (If its a staple at Home Depot or Lowes, its not professional grade...)

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

3M Cubitron. Use it once and you'll never use anything else again.

 

[BillK]

Some of the cheap stuff has a noticeably thinner backing paper to the point that sanding a sharp corner could punch through, but once I was aware it was easy enough to use a little care and get the job done.

Thats my biggest gripe. I have been using 3M 2 1/4 x 17 strips on a sanding block to clean old gaskets off cylinder heads for years. Last time I ordered a box all they had was Norton and it *****. Like you said its a lot thinner and if you look at it wrong it will rip through The worse part is apparently 3M has discontinued the old brown stuff

 

[Hohn]

3M is cheap sand paper. (If its a staple at Home Depot or Lowes, its not professional grade...) I learned this the hard way when building my house and someone left behind some Norton sandpaper. I'm never going back. It lasts 10X longer and doesn't fall apart.

Well, it is and it isn't. The problem is that you won't find Cubitron at the big box stores, so yes-- there is cheap 3m at these stores. So indeed 3m makes cheap paper.

But they ALSO make cubitron which is as good as it gets.

 

[Hohn]

3M Cubitron. Use it once and you'll never use anything else again.

When even NORTON is acknowledging Cubitron, you know it's good.

 

[bdbecker]

I used to manage consumables for a ~65 person weld shop was always keeping my eye out for ways to keep the budget in check. My supply rep was always giving me samples of new/alternate abrasives to test. Norton was the only brand that ever could compete with 3M on a cost vs. lifespan test. What I typically found was that if Norton was, for example, 75% the price of the equivalent 3M product, it would only last about 75% as long as the 3M product. Because 3M had a longer lifespan, they required fewer swaps throughout the day, which led to less labor cost and we'd end up sticking with 3M. The one thing I will say about Norton is that they do a good job of keeping some oddball stuff in stock whereas 3M would have some ridiculous lead time on some of their specialty products.

For home use, I buy 3M or Norton whenever possible, but don't sweat it too much if I have to buy an alternate brand. I just don't go through enough at home for it to make a real difference.

 

[niget2002]

I've been buying Duragold off of Amazon lately. It doesn't last as long as the better 3M products, but the paper holds up well. I've had other brands where the paper started to shred.

 

[Jim greengo]

Norton

 

[gahrajmahal]

I’ve been “cutting and buffing “ a new paint job. 1000 to 4000 grit. Previously I purchased Duragold online as they had a sample pack. I was not impressed. I purchased some 3M from the paint supplier, wow it was spendy, like $5 a sheet. It worked ok. I was at harbor freight to buy a variable speed buffer ( mine was stuck on high) and I picked up some of their 3000 grit for DA sander. Let’s say I am very impressed. Works well and lasts a decent amount of time

 

[Aaron_W]

I know Norton for some of their other products like their grinding wheels, did not realize they made sand paper although that makes sense.

Nothing terribly surprising in the replies, basically you get what you pay for.

Thanks

 

[Davefr]

3M Cubitron. Use it once and you'll never use anything else again.

Not only is Cubitron the best sandpaper but if you buy the Net Disc version it's also very cost effective.

 

[Fixr]

Norton

"Norton!"

 

[Jim greengo]

"Norton!"

I was thinking of the other norton,but I liked him also. Hahaha