Efficiency of different brands of abrasives

[Michael Kellough]

Very interesting analysis here.

Bottom line, 3M Cubitron II is the most productive.

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

Well, it certainly wasn't close.
Does anyone know how the Cubitron discs fit with the hole pattern on the ETS/EC 150 pad?

 

[Bohdan]

They are a completely different pattern. A large number of small holes in a spiral pattern.

 

[AlexThePalex]

3M is always good stuff, whatever they make, and they make a lot. Here there is also a line of 3M paper with Festool hole pattern. But not much stores carry it.

 

[usernumber1]

curious how the abranet versions compare. that seems to be the woodworking specific stuff i can get around here. mirka iridium(??)

no clue where to even begin asking for the Cubitron II

interesting they found no difference in dust collection between open mesh and the hole pattern - but they only had one mesh from what i see, made by freud

 

[Bohdan]

no clue where to even begin asking for the Cubitron II

The product is aimed at car repainters so check your local car painting suppliers.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Cubitron II is labeled for industrial use only so it will be difficult to find. I only found out about it because Tayler Tools sent a notice (along with a link to that study) that they now stock it.

taytools.com

 

[Cheese]

I’ve changed over to Cubitron II cut-off discs on my RA grinders. I used to use Sait & Metabo wheels but for the last 2-3 years it’s been exclusively Cubitron.

I really haven’t noticed much difference between Cubitron & Cubitron II.

 

[rvieceli]

If you have an auto parts store that is more focused on the body shop/Painting aspect, you should be able to get most 3M abrasives including Cubitron II there. They will usually sell singles if you just want to try it.

Cubitron II is also readily available online from a variety of sources including Amazon.

Ron

 

[Banana]

Very interesting analysis here.

Bottom line, 3M Cubitron II is the most productive.

Thank you for posting this.  The Cubitron II was off my radar.
(couple of quick vids I looked at after searching for more info, for anyone interested):

 

[afish]

I like 3mCII but I am somewhat skeptical of how well the dust collection will still work with the festool sanders.  Im in the process of getting some festool sanders mostly for the superior DC  I would love some input from those who have maybe tried it on a festool sander.  and can comment on the DC.  Or if Peter Millard is reading here is your next video idea.  He does a good job testing the DC of the festool sanders compared to others.  [popcorn]

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

I tried ordering disks on Amazon—figure why not give it a try, right?
You have to certify you are a professional/commercial user and have read the safety information related to the product.
What the heck??
I am a professional user in the sense that I am a physician, but that may be stretching it a little.  [wink]

 

[afish]

Typical CYA lawyer crap.

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

That’s what I figure; a pre-emotive strike by defense lawyers for 3M.

 

[Cheese]

I tried ordering disks on Amazon—figure why not give it a try, right?
You have to certify you are a professional/commercial user and have read the safety information related to the product.
What the heck??

I've seen Cubitron II paper at O'Reilly Auto Parts.  [huh]

 

[afish]

They also sell the sheets at HD

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

HD sells sheets of Cubitron II, but not  disks as far as I can see. HD sells "Pro" sanding disks, but they are aluminum oxide and do not make the same claims as the Cubitron abrasives.

I see the O'Reilly price is about $71 for a pack of 50 5 inch discs. That's steep! And no pickup in store due to regulations.

 

[afish]

HD sells sheets of Cubitron II, but not  disks as far as I can see. HD sells "Pro" sanding disks, but they are aluminum oxide and do not make the same claims as the Cubitron abrasives.

I see the O'Reilly price is about $71 for a pack of 50 5 inch discs. That's steep! And no pickup in store due to regulations.

Correct, sheets but no discs here in S. Florida too.  Amazon looks like the easiest/cheapest option.  I texted a buddy that uses it and he buys it out of Miami but there is no way Im driving to Miami and that traffic for sanding discs. Im actually thinking of getting a 3M air DA to try with the cubitron.  They have a wide range of DA's with dust collection all the way up to 8mm orbit  [eek] Not sure how good the DC is though with the 3M sanders and thats the main reason I want to get some festool sanders.  Air powered will be fine or even better for the shop but not for anything else so there's that too.

 

[WastedP]

They are a completely different pattern. A large number of small holes in a spiral pattern.

I used to use 3M Trizact that had that same hole pattern.  I used the thin interface pad that 3M offers on both Dynabrade and Festool sanders for acrylic solid surface, where dust collection really matters.  It worked well.

 

[Cheese]

I see the O'Reilly price is about $71 for a pack of 50 5 inch discs. That's steep! And no pickup in store due to regulations.

Having worked as an engineer for 3M...I found this thread rather interesting when people were thinking that the 3M Cubitron II product would be a cheaper alternative than the Festool products.  [smile] [big grin] [smile]

It may last longer and remove more material, but to think the per-sheet price will be less than the equivalent Festool product is sheer nonsense.

3M products have always commanded a premium price and there's a reason why they've found a symbiotic relationship with Festool when it comes to auto body repair. Birds of a feather...

Don't get me wrong, 3M produces great products but if you're looking for the loss-leader...3M isn't the answer.