Cubitron abrasives

[robo hippy]

I am not sure if you have seen this or not, but best review of the different abrasives I have seen to date.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZDCRFi8dKY&t=655s


robo hippy

 

[Larry Copas]

I often wonder about these tests for real world performance. In the mesh line up I've used Mirka Abranet for a long time and 3M Xtract. I bought 4 boxes of Xtract (200 discs) and have nearly finished them. My experience was that it's not even close to the performance of Abrannet, and I'll never buy it again.

In the film backed world, I use Indasa Rhynogrip WhiteLine, which was not tested. It's found in a lot of commercial shops and schools. I would put it equal to Xtract in performance and cheaper to use. It's the best I have found in film backed.

The tester used some kind of industrial sanding machine I've never seen. I suspect it's a lot different from the ROS's I use. On the electric side, I use a Festool, and on the pneumatic side, I use a Dynabrade. I wonder if the difference between the sanding machines accounts for some of the differences in the test results.

 

[Steve Worcester]

I often wonder about these tests for real world performance. In the mesh line up I've used Mirka Abranet for a long time and 3M Xtract. I bought 4 boxes of Xtract (200 discs) and have nearly finished them. My experience was that it's not even close to the performance of Abrannet, and I'll never buy it again.

In the film backed world, I use Indasa Rhynogrip WhiteLine, which was not tested. It's found in a lot of commercial shops and schools. I would put it equal to Xtract in performance and cheaper to use. It's the best I have found in film backed.

The tester used some kind of industrial sanding machine I've never seen. I suspect it's a lot different from the ROS's I use. On the electric side, I use a Festool, and on the pneumatic side, I use a Dynabrade. I wonder if the difference between the sanding machines accounts for some of the differences in the test results.

As far as tests go, I think that his is about the fairest as far as same conditions for each product, so there is repeatability to it, but again, your own use is a better indicator of what works for you.

 

[Dave Sabo]

Yes, it is high compared aluminium oxide discs, even very good ones, but about right for Cubitron. (For reference, the 3" discs of another specialty brand name sandpaper, Abranet, tend also to be around $1 each.)

And of course, the per-disc cost is only part of the equation: the Jonathan Katz-Moses videos, which looked to be quite thorough, concluded that Cubitron is competitive (or cheaper) when the criterion is quantity of material removed per disc.

KM’s data is inaccurate -which makes his conclusion(s) suspect or just plain incorrect.

The Diablo mesh is a solid performer in the total removal category , neck and neck with 3M and Norton’s.

Where he falls short is the cost/ value conclusion. Diablo mesh discs are often available for .40cents / disc. With that data point it shoots waaaaaay up the vale chart in cost per gram removed on his chart / rankings.



That said , Michael Nathal has rightly stated that mesh isn’t really good on a rotary mandrel for turners. The Diablo stuff also doesn’t come (readily anyway) in anything outside of 5” so there’s that too.

But, if you want to use the “best value” sandpaper and you’re going to go through cutting / modifying to get there - , and don’t mind mesh abrasives - then Diablo should be at the top of your list.

Bonus that it’s available everywhere without a distributor at Home Depot , no minimum order , and the price is hard to beat even for el cheapo junk discs.

YMMV on whether that translates into useful info for your turning , but you should be aware of accurate facts.